What should you do when signs of moisture show up on the ceiling underneath a second story bathroom? What causes soft spots in the floor or baseboard near your tub? How do you go about stopping your tub or shower valve from dripping? Where is the water on my floor coming from? It is so easy to ignore problems and warning signs because we fear a big bill, but to do so costs more in the long run. What things should I look out for?

• Shower/Tub Splashing.  The most common source of moisture for a bathroom floor is what splashes out of the tub, or around the shower curtain or even glass doors. Glass doors keep much more moisture where its supposed to be than shower curtains. Installing plastic corners onto your tub with adhesive will help your shower curtain to keep back moisture. Toweling up water that does spill right away helps a lot.
• Toilet Leaks.  Keep an eye on your toilet for leaks. Toilets can leak out of hairline cracks or if they are not secured tightly the wax ring can leak. For the former the toilet must be replaced. For the latter it needs to be reset with a new wax ring.
• Sink Leaks.  Watch for under sink moisture. Faucets can develop leaks which travel down the supply lines and drip onto the inside of your vanity. Waste plumbing can loosen and start leaking, especially if bumped. It pays to take everything out from underneath your cabinet and check for leaks.
• Tub/Shower Plumbing.  If you are sure water isn’t splashing from your tub or escaping your shower curtain, and your sink and toilet don’t leak, it is time to look more closely at your tub/shower plumbing. A common source of leaks is when trim isn’t tight. That is, where your tub supply and faucet handle covers attach to the wall. If loose, water streaming down the plumbing wall can enter these gaps and cause leaks. At our house the addition of a push button automated cleaning system, hung from the shower head supply arm, collected mist and splashed and directed water down the wall. The greater water quantity entering the gaps caused a problem. This simple grocery store product was responsible for changing the course of the “river.” I didn’t realize this until after I had removed a section of the drywall ceiling below for inspection. I tightened the trim and used silicone and ended up removing the cleaning device, but probably didn’t have to after eliminating the gaps.
• Tub/Shower Drain Leaks.  The tub or shower drain itself can leak if cracked or the putty seal has broken. A special wrench makes its removal and repair easier.
• Tub/Shower Valve Leaks.  If your shower or tub valve is dripping through the shower head or tub supply, your valve is not sealing. Most can be repaired whether it is a worn out washer or a washerless design such as ceramic ball.
• In-Wall Pipe Leaks. It is rare for the valve to be leaking inside the wall, but like a pipe springing a leak it happens. For these repairs you must gain access, which means you will at least be replacing drywall, if access can be gained from the opposite side of the wall, and may be replacing your shower unit, tub surround, or tile or cultured stone surface.

For best results complete the preliminary trouble shooting steps and then call a recommended professional plumber. Whenever calling a pro, make sure everything is out of her way, and limit your chat time to what you want to pay for.