Find Out The Water Damage

Water damage, the biggest factor in determining the size of the project, will take some detective work to accurately assess. Sometimes water damage is obvious - a "spongy" floor, blistering paint, loose tiles, or a stained wall surface. Start by examining the floor around the base of the toilet. It may feel spongy and give way underfoot, or you may see signs of water coming up between the floor tiles. Discoloration of the flooring could indicate a leak or simply be due to a colored contour rug.

It could also be caused by the toilet's wax ring being worn out, broken, or incorrectly set, or by a cracked or broken flange. Other possibiliteis could include cracks in the toilet base or toilet drain horn that the wax ring fits over. Don't overlook the possibility that your fixture has a hairline crack or that it came defective from the factory.

Look for loose tiles, water-marked wood or vinyl, or flooring that's curled up at the edge where the floor meets the front of the tub/shower area. Water may be leaking under the shower curtain or, if you have one, at the door track where it meets the walls. The bead of caulk between the floor and tub/shower area may be loose, allowing water to seep through.

The main plumbing wall - where the plumbing valve for the faucets, shower head, or tub spout is located - is another area to check. Look for loose tiles about two feet above the tub/shower area, or along the outside of the tub down to the floor. Other signs include blistering paint, mildew, and loose wallboard. There may be a leak in the plumbing fittings and/or valve.

Windows in the shower area almost always cause water damage. A wooden window can absorb (or wick) water as you shower. If this has happenened in your bathroom, you'll see water stains in the corners and two or three inches up the frame. Loose tiles below the window, and staining or a spongy feel to the interior and exterior walls, indicate that water is leaking down through the window ledge or sill.