Archive for the ‘bathroom’ category

Leaky Shower

August 5th, 2010

QUESTION

I have a shower stall with sectioned walls that leaks water while in use. The water comes out from the left front corner on the floor and leaves a large puddle. The shower was installed around 12 years ago. If I apply a heavy seal of silicone sealant around the shower drain seam, it seems to stop the leak for a while. Does this sound like the water might be coming from between the drain and under part of the floor? I haven’t found any hairline cracks in the fiberglass floor.

ANSWER

I assume the shower base is one piece and the walls are in sections. If you are applying silicone around the drain and stopping the leak, the leak must be in the connection of the drain line to the base of the shower. If you open the area below the shower base you can check for the source of the leak.

You can repair this by working from above and under the shower. Remove the shower drain and reinstall it with new plumbers putty or bathroom sealant/caulk around the tail piece connection to the shower base.

This is not always easy and it helps if you know what you are doing, so I suggest contacting a plumber. You may find corroded parts that need replacement. Your water leak problem could also be around the shower door or through the sides of the curtain.

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Posted in bathroom, water

Light Blue Stains in the Toilet

June 16th, 2010

QUESTION:

We have a 7-year-old toilet that has begun showing a light blue color. When I try to scrub the blue stain with a toilet brush it doesn’t come off. We’ve never used those blue tank canisters; we just use liquid bowl cleaner. Do you know why the toilet bowl is stained light blue? I checked the water (in the bowl and the tank) and it is not blue.

I also noticed a lot of black mold inside the toilet tank when I took the lid off. Is it a good idea to use bleach to clean the mold off the inside of the tank and underneath the lid? There is a rubber-type 5-inch ball in the tank. Can I use bleach to clean that rubber since it too has mold on it?

ANSWER:

The light blue stain is a strange one. Do you have a private well? If the water is slightly corrosive, I suppose you could get a blue stain from copper or brass in touch with the water. Perhaps it is from a cleaning chemical? I would try to clean the bowl with an acid-based cleaner. Look for the acid cleaner in a plumbing supply or hardware store.

You certainly can clean the toilet tank with any chemicals you wish. Most toilet tanks will have deposits. If you do use bleach, don’t let it sit on the rubber parts because it can damage the rubber. You can remove mold with just detergent and water.

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Posted in bathroom, cleaning, mold, stain removal, water

Sewer Smell in the Shower

April 15th, 2010

In my master shower, I get a sewer smell. If I pour some bleach down the drain it disappears for a while, but comes back within one to two weeks. Is there a plumbing issue I should be concerned about? Is there some way to get rid of this?

Answer:

One way to have a sewer smell in the shower is to lose the water seal in the trap. The “trap” is actually a bend in the pipe that holds or traps water. When there is water in the trap, no sewer smell can move out of the piping into your home. If the shower is not used for a few weeks, water could evaporate from the trap and result in a smell as air and sewer gas moves up through the trap. In this case, you just need to add water to the trap every week or so.

If the shower is used routinely, you may have a drainage, waste and venting problem that is allowing water to be drawn from the trap and down the drain system. This can happen when there is heavy drain water flow creating a vacuum in the piping. For this to happen, you may have a blocked vent or a vent installation problem.

Finally, you may just have bunch of “yuck” in the trap; hair, debris and growth. Snake the trap and flush it with very hot water to give it a good cleaning.

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Posted in bathroom, cleaning, odors, plumbing

Cleaning an Old Cast-Iron Tub? Use a Tub-Liner.

March 2nd, 2010

We have a cast-iron bathtub from about 1948. I cannot keep it looking clean anymore. We heard about tub lining. Is that good? We installed ceramic tile around the tub.

Answer:

A modern tub liner is a great way to repair a worn cast-iron tub. The liners are a thick acrylic or vinyl that is very durable. They are made in many shapes and sizes to fit all the popular tub sizes. You do need a contractor to measure the tub for the proper fit.

Part of the installation is disconnecting and reconnecting the drain line – this takes some experience. Most folks also update the water control valves and shower assembly. Part of the installation often includes replacing the walls with match panels.

Since you have already done ceramic tile around the tub, you will want to review the options for matching the tub to the tile. You don’t want any water behind the walls or under the liner. Once they are installed, they are very durable and look great. Liners can often be installed in one day, so you only lose use of your tub for 24 hours.

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Posted in bathroom, cleaning, stain removal

Screech at the Shower

February 19th, 2010

I recently bought a new shower head, so I applied plumber tape and installed it. I have a loud screeching sound as the water is running, despite making adjustments in water flow. Help!

Answer:

In most cases any screech or squeal with plumbing is caused by forcing water through a small obstructed hole. I suspect you have some sealer or tape stuck in the shower head. Dismantle the head and rinse the screen and internal components.

Normally you don’t need plumber putty or tape. The head may seal to the pipe with a small, built-in gasket.

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Posted in bathroom, noise, plumbing

Leaky Bathroom Fan – Drip, Drip, Drip

December 30th, 2009

Question:

I have a bathroom exhaust fan that is vented into the attic, up to the ridge-vent area. Since the weather had gotten colder, water drips back into the bathroom from the fan after it has been on for a while. Do I need a certain type of material for the vent? Should I insulate it? I’m not sure what the solution is. Thanks for your help.

Glen

Answer:

Your problem is condensation in the cool fan duct. Warm, moist air from the bathroom condenses on the cool duct and runs down the duct to the fan. The duct is now cold because the attic is cold.

The duct should be insulated. Make as short of a run as possible to a vent connector through the roof deck. The fan duct should not be run to the ridge-vent. You can find insulated duct and a vent connectors at a building supply store.

The fan and the vent connector through the roof should also have a damper that closes when the fan is off to limit air movement.

Tom

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Posted in bathroom, condensation, insulation, moisture, ventilation

Clear Plugged Drain, Hair, Yuck!

December 29th, 2009

Question:

What is the name of the tool that removes hair in a shower drain?

Carol

Answer:

You can easily clear most “hair” plugged drains with a simple plastic tool called Zip-It. It is a thin, flexible plastic strip with hooks or barbs along the length. Push it in the drain and pull out all the hair and yuck.

You can find Zip-It at hardware and grocery stores.

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Posted in bathroom, plumbing

Removing Mold in the Bathroom

December 22nd, 2009

Question:

We are a family of six living in a 1,100 square foot single-story home. Our one full bathroom has mold growing on the ceiling. We have used TSP to clean it, and Kilz to paint it. We’ve also installed a new bathroom fan, but the mold keeps coming back. Do you have any other suggestions? Do we need to get a more heavy-duty fan? Do we need to replace the drywall ceiling and start over? By the way, the roof was redone last summer, but the mold problem hasn’t gone away. Do we just keep scrubbing away? Help!

-Carol

Answer:

You need to try to reduce the moisture level in the bathroom, and that will be tough with a family of six. I would try these steps:

  1. Run the bath exhaust fan 24/7, or until the bathroom is completely dry. If the fan will not remove the moisture and dry the walls, install a better fan and make sure it has a large, straight exhaust duct that carries the moisture to the outside. Broan is a great resource for bath fans and installation information.
  2. Dry the walls (where the mold is growing) with a towel, and remove the towel from the bathroom.
  3. Clean up the mold with laundry bleach and water. Then, paint the walls with Zinsser Brand Bathroom Wall and Ceiling Paint. This paint will not cause mildew. Follow the label directions.

-Tom

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Posted in bathroom, moisture, mold, ventilation

Peeling Paint and Mildew in the Bathroom

November 18th, 2009

Question:

I have a problem with peeling paint and mildew on the paint in the bathroom. We have a big family and use the exhaust fan, but we still have a problem. What can we do with the paint?

Answer:

You should try to run the exhaust fan as much as possible. Try to operate it until the shower walls are dry. Consider adding a timer switch so the fan can be set to run for an hour after the bathroom is used.

I have had great luck with a bathroom paint that is guaranteed not to mildew or peel. Sound too good to be true? Well, over the past 5 years in my home, I have found it does not mildew and does not peel.

Try Zinsser brand, Perma-White, Mildew-Proof, Bathroom Paint. You will find it in most paint departments and paint stores. It is self-priming, water based, low odor, and can be tinted.

To use the Perma-White, you do need to kill any mildew with laundry bleach. Water stains or dark stains should be primed with BIN. The surface must be clean and free of loose paint, dirt, grease, and soap film. Apply two coats. The first coat primes and seals the surface. The second coat provides more mildew resistance and scrub-resistance.

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Posted in bathroom, paint, ventilation

Keep Your Shower Clean

November 3rd, 2009

Question:

We are looking for an easy way to keep our shower clean. We have trouble with cleaning chores and all hate to clean the tub and shower.

Answer:

Meticulously clean the shower and tub with a commercial cleaner. Some of the better cleaners are Comet Non Abrasive Cleaner or Tilex. Once the shower is clean, all you need to do is wipe down the wet surfaces after a shower. You can use a squeegee on flat surfaces and a towel on the rest. If water is wiped from the surface, there will be no water stains and no dirt build up.

You can also try a product called Clean Shower. You lightly mist the shower, glass, curtain and fixtures after a shower. Water runs off quickly and the shower stays clean. Clean Shower is inexpensive and you will find it in many stores.

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Posted in bathroom, cleaning