A lot of water is used in the bathroom during a shower so that water can cause damage to the wall next to the shower. Tub and shower walls can develop cracks or holes due to exposure to moisture. So, it’s very easy for black mold to grow on the wall. Wall damage is unpleasant and often expensive, so It’s best to build a bathroom near the window to get enough sunlight. If your bathroom doesn’t have enough light or it’s too far from the window, you’d better clean the walls with vapor steam cleaner once or twice a week.
Cause of shower water damages
Shower water damage is a common problem in many bathrooms. When you shower, water drops are left behind. Ultimately, you end up with damaged walls. It can stain the wall and create mold, which can be unhealthy for you and your family. The showerhead is generally fixed above the shower enclosure, which leaves the wall below vulnerable to water damage. With time, moisture will get into the plasterboard or drywall and cause it to rot.
Three Factors Cause Shower Water Damage:
- The shower curtain is not waterproof. This is by far the most frequent cause of bathroom water damage. The fabric of your shower curtain absorbs water easily, so you need to replace it with a waterproof one.
- Showerhead leaks. The second most frequent reason for water damage on walls next to showers is a leaking flexible shower hose pipe or showerhead.
- No ventilation near showers. This can be solved by installing a vent fan near your shower enclosure that will remove all steam and humidity from the room before they get a chance to penetrate your walls and ceiling.
Prevent Water Damage on The Wall Next to A Shower
Water damage on walls is one of the most common problems when using bathtubs, showers, and sinks. Water damage is very tricky to examine and repair. Following are the tips to repair the water damage.
Repair The Leaks
The important step to prevent water damage is to stop the source of the problem. You can repair and prevent future leaks by following the simple steps below.
Check for Leaks
Before you can fix the source of your leak, you need to find it first. To check for leaks, take a look around corners and ceilings with a flashlight. It would help locate any leaks taking place within the wall surface.
Cut Out Water Source and Patch Cracks
If you have located the source of your leak, you will need to cut off its access to water. Use a knife or razor blade to remove any loose drywall pieces that add to a problem. Then, apply some cement and patch up cracks to prevent future leaks.
Repair Exposed Wires
If you have exposed wires due to a leak, call an electrician immediately to avoid potential complications.
Replace Sagging Drywall
When water damage to the wall occurs in a shower area of the bathroom, the underlying problem is that the drywall has been allowed to sag and is touching the tub’s surface or is not sealed properly. There are a few fixes for this problem.
You can shore up the sagging drywall with a brace on the backside (behind the wall), or you can replace it completely.
You are pulling out sagging drywall is pretty simple if you’ve got some basic hand tools, like a hammer, screwdrivers, and a drill. The first step is to remove all of the screws holding up the drywall.
The next step is to remove any nails that are holding up the molding above so that you can take it down along with the drywall.
After you’ve removed all of the nails holding up the molding, you should be able to lift out the entire section of wet drywall. If there isn’t any molding attached to it, then you should be able to pull it right off of your walls without much issue.
Get Rid of Mold
Mold likes moisture and dark, hidden spaces. The grout between tiles provides all the moisture and darkness needed by mold. Fortunately, preventing water damage on a wall next to the shower is easy with these three steps:
- Remove the grout between the tiles. Use a putty knife or chisel to remove as much grout as possible from the affected area. Wear gloves and goggles while doing this, as the grout will be quite sharp. Be sure not to chip away any of the tile itself! If a tile breaks, you must remove it entirely and use a patching compound to fill in the space where it was once attached.
- Clean all residues off the wall, floor, and surrounding tiles by washing with warm soapy water and scrubbing gently with a Brillo pad or pumice stone if necessary. Rinse with clear water thoroughly afterward.
- Dry out the wall area completely.
Cover water stains
To cover water stains in drywall, start using a paint scraper to remove loose and peeling paint. Next, start sanding the wall’s surface with medium-grit sandpaper and sand with gradually smaller grit until the surface is smooth. You can then prime and paint the surface of the drywall when it is free of blemishes.
Repairing drywall with minor water damage is not a difficult task and is a project that almost any homeowner should complete with a little research and patience.
Insulation
According to Columbus Restoration Service, water damage on walls is caused by moisture that seeps through the wall and freezes. This causes cracks in the drywall and damages the paint. The best way to prevent water damage on walls is to insulate your bathroom walls with a waterproof layer of sheetrock.
Make Use of a fan to avoid moisture and wetness from building up.
Use quality exhaust fans to help lower humidity and effectively prevent moisture accumulation.
To Conclude
Not every type of wall damage is apparent at first sight, especially water damage on the wall next to a shower. You can do several things to prevent water damage to your wall next to a shower. But if you think you can’t do it yourself, you can always contact a professional company.