Bathtub Malfunctions

Drainage

• Drainage issues are common and can occur for a number of reasons. All bathtubs have a drain that allows water to exit through the pipes. If you notice the water drains very slowly or not at all, you have a drainage malfunction on your hands. Drains usually malfunction because something is clogging the top of the drain or deeper down in the pipe. Children’s toys, bottle caps, hair, soap scum and grease are common culprits. Try pouring a drain cleaning product down the drain and if that doesn’t work, call a plumber.

Dripping Faucet

• Dripping faucets are very common in bathtubs and can result in gallons of water loss every month. Fortunately you can usually fix the problem without the aid of a plumber. Simply grab a screw driver and tighten the screws on the handle assembly. Use a wrench to tighten any washers or other parts that may be loose as well. If your faucet still leaks, you may need to replace the current fixtures, which can be costly and does require professional assistance.

Foul Odor

• Foul odors coming from your bathtub indicates a potentially serious plumbing issue. This usually occurs when the trap, a section of piping that keeps sewage smells out of your home, is leaking or dried out. Using the tub more often can help alleviate the problem, but you may need to have your trap repairs or replaced.

Leak

• A leaky bathtub can cause serious damage to the structure of the house and should be dealt with immediately. This water can leak into the floor board and cause water damage in the ceiling of the room below the bathroom.You may have a leaky pipe, a pin hole in the tub or a damaged shower pan. Whatever the cause, call a plumber immediately to rectify the problem. The cost of repairing a leaky tub or leaky pipes will be minimal compared to what you would pay to replace the ceiling.