Is Your Bathtub Leaking? Here are 3 Potential Reasons Why

More than any other room in the house, the bathroom is home to many pipes, drains, and plumbing fixtures. The simple fact that so many appliances, including the sink, shower, toilet, and bathtub, rely on plumbing to work properly means it’s inevitable that you’ll experience a leak in the bathroom from time to time.  

Bathtub leaks can be especially pesky, as they don’t always manifest where you’d expect them to – like in the basin of the tub or along the faucet. Have you noticed that there are water stains on your ceilings and walls? Or, worse still, is your drywall bubbling up from extra exposure to moisture?  

If you’re questioning a leak at all, address the issue immediately. Otherwise, the leak can lead to serious health concerns, such as mold and mildew exposure, chemical hazards, and even electrocution. It can also cause water damage and spike your monthly water bill by as much as 10%. Finally, ignoring a leak can end up ruining your drywall entirely, resulting in costly structural damage and rot. 

Knowing how to recognize the signs of leaking as well as what can cause your bathtub to leak are both critical to the health and safety of your home, so let’s dive in! 

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Early signs of a leaky bathtub 

To protect your home, it’s key to know what to look out for when diagnosing a leaky bathtub. The earlier you catch a leak, the easier it will be to fix. Here are several early signs that your bathtub is indeed leaking:  

• Water is pooling along the tub basin 
• The paint is peeling or flaking on the walls 
• The tile or vinyl flooring is damaged or curling 
• Mold or mildew has built up on the walls or ceiling 
• The walls or ceiling are showing water stains 

Remember: water will always take the path of least resistance, so you should also check in any adjacent rooms beyond the bathroom for water accumulation. As soon as you notice any of these signs, the next step is to determine the cause.  

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What can cause a bathtub to leak? 

If your bathtub leaks only when you are using it or immediately after, this may just be an intermittent leak, which you can usually fix yourself. However, it’s crucial that you identify the true cause of the leak before you make any decisions to tamper with the tub. Call in a professional plumber to ensure you address the issue sufficiently. 

Here are 3 of the most common reasons why bathtubs leak:  

The faucet’s rubber washers are worn down

You may not think that a leaky faucet is that big of a deal; after all, the tub basin will catch any dripping water and send it down the drain. In reality, a leaky faucet is actually a huge problem that can lead to hefty water bills, unsightly stains, and even corrosion. 

Luckily, this is one of the easiest leaks to fix, as it’s usually a result of the rubber washers inside of your faucet. Over the years, rubber washers can dry out, leaving them unable to perform their function. All you need to do is take apart the faucet and replace the rubber washers with new ones, which you can find at your local hardware store. If your tub is still leaking, you may need to replace the whole faucet entirely, which is a job for a qualified plumber. 

There are grout and waterproofing issues

Your tub or shower likely gets a lot of use, which means that the grout and caulk surrounding the tiles can shrink or become reduced over time. When this happens, so will leaks. 

To troubleshoot potential waterproofing issues, you’ll want to make sure that grout or caulk is fully covering the perimeter of the tub, especially where it connects to the floors and walls. If there are noticeable gaps or crevices, you may want to regrout your tiles if the leaking persists to create a stronger moisture barrier. 

The bathtub’s drain is malfunctioning

If water is seeping out below your bathtub (which will often manifest on the ceiling of the downstairs room that’s directly beneath your bathroom), this is a telltale sign that the drain isn’t working. Most often, a leaky drain is caused by a problem with the surrounding seal. 

After disassembling the drain, you can likely fix this on your own by applying plumber’s putty to the surrounding area. While there are many instructional videos online, it may be smartest to call a plumber for help to make sure the drain is repaired correctly! 

 Now that you’ve addressed the main cause of your leaky bathtub, you may be looking for additional ways to update your bathroom and make it your dream retreat. Here are several stress-free DIY ideas for remodeling your bathroom.

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4 Genius Bathroom Organization Hacks

Bathrooms are one of those high-traffic spaces (like closets and pantries) that just never seem to have enough storage. Oftentimes, bathrooms are the smallest room in the house, making it especially challenging to maximize its limited footprint in a way that allows for tidiness and organization.  

Between getting ready for work in the morning to unwinding in the evening in your nightly bath, your bathroom has many different functions that all align with helping you feel and look your best. Wouldn’t it make sense, then, to make this space feel and look its best, too?  

By keeping your bathroom organized, even the smallest space can feel luxurious, enticing you to spend more time primping and pampering yourself. Say goodbye to the mess of toiletries that’s littering your vanity and the towels strewn about the floor. Here are our top bathroom organization hacks that are useful for spaces of all shapes and sizes. 

Make the most of your walls with hanging accessory sets

Rather than relying solely on cabinets and closets for storage, why not capitalize on the extra space offered by your bathroom walls? You can hang a series of organizational features from your walls that will free up space on your vanity and give certain items a dedicated home.  

For example, this modern accessory set includes five useful features, such as a robe hook, soap dish, toilet paper holder, towel bar, and towel ring, which can all be mounted on your walls. This way, all of these classic bathroom items will have their own space and won’t infringe on other areas that you’d like to keep clean.  

Add a freestanding bathroom shelf for extra storage

If the storage areas you do have in your bathroom feel overcrowded and slightly chaotic, a great solution is to add a new item of furniture that’s purely for organizing. Freestanding bathroom shelves are not only practical and functional, but they are quaint and can usually fit perfectly in tight areas (like next to the toilet or near the shower). 

With many different designs available, freestanding shelves can also be finished in various colors and styles, meaning they will work well in virtually any bathroom. Now, you’ll have a dedicated shelf for all your toiletries and personal care items, making it essential to the overall organization of your space.

 

Rethink your sink and go for a modern model

Another bathroom organization hack is to take another look at the features that are currently crowding your space – like the sink or vanity. Perhaps the present model is inordinately bigger than it needs to be. In this case, choosing a modern, wall-hung model will free up space on the floor and give the space new means for storage. 

Choosing a model like this modern bathroom vanity will look fresh, provide cabinet storage, and allow for baskets or additional shelving to be placed beneath the vanity for further organization. You could also choose a model like this traditional vanity, which has a narrow build that makes it ideal for a smaller bathroom while still offering dedicated under-the-sink storage.  

Give your mirror more purpose with a medicine cabinet

A final idea for better bathroom organization is to install a medicine cabinet in place of your mirror. Since every bathroom has a mirror, it only makes sense to give it a dual purpose! 

By integrating a classic medicine cabinet, you’ll create more convenient storage for things like your electric shaver, toothbrush, medications, and other smaller toiletries. Some high-end medicine cabinets even include innovations like defogging technology, dimmable LED task lights, and USB/electrical ports.  

In addition to adding these organizational hacks, you may be thinking about other trends to incorporate into your bathroom to take it from drab to fab. Here are some of the leading bathroom design trends.

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Top 2024 Bathroom Trends for 3 Modern Interior Styles

Looking for ways to keep your bathroom up to date with the latest design trends? If your bathroom follows a modern style – whether that’s modern farmhouse, modern minimalist, or mid-century modern, to name a few – you may be wondering what new trends would work best with these palettes. 

Since it’s our passion to share the latest in-demand features and decor in modern home design, we’ve put together a helpful guide to modern bathroom trends for 2024. This way, as you consider updating or fully remodeling your bathroom in the next year, you can choose trends that will perfectly align with and complement the style you’ve already established. 

Here are 3 interior trends for 3 different modern bathroom styles, including modern farmhouse, modern minimalist, and mid-century modern designs. 

Interior Trends for a Modern Farmhouse Bathroom 

Taking cues from a humble country getaway with contemporary touches, the modern farmhouse style is all about rustic charm. In 2024, here are several interior updates that you can easily incorporate to take your modern farmhouse bathroom to the next level:  

Use reclaimed wood

Adding reclaimed wood in any area of the bathroom will create a moody, natural-looking ambiance in your bathroom, and it’s surprisingly easy to achieve! Whether you create an entire reclaimed wood accent wall, or you simply refinish your vanity with a reclaimed wood countertop, this type of feature will look great when paired with homier elements, like textiles in shades of white or cream. 

Invest in a rustic vanity

Your vanity can truly set the tone for the entire space, and integrating a rustic vanity is a great way to foreground that modern farmhouse vibe. Choosing a vanity like this one, which includes a sliding barn door and open shelving for visible storage, offers fun storage solutions while still maintaining a modern, elegant look. 

Add black accents

A final trend that will be seen in many modern farmhouse bathroom designs is adding black accents on elements like vanity hardware, lighting fixtures, sink faucets, and towel holders. Choosing flat black cabinet pulls, especially when you have white vanities or cabinetry, will create a crisp and modern graphic touch with plenty of contrast. 

Include Vintage Accents

Add vintage or antique décor pieces to evoke a sense of history and nostalgia. Look for vintage signs, old-fashioned light fixtures, and flea market finds that fit the farmhouse aesthetic.

A classic clawfoot bathtub, whether it's cast iron, acrylic, or copper, is a perfect centerpiece for a farmhouse bathroom. Look for vintage or vintage-style clawfoot tubs to create an authentic, timeless feel.

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Design Ideas for a Modern Minimalist Bathroom  

With sleek fixtures and pared-down decor, the modern minimalist style maximizes beauty and efficiency with simple color palettes and a streamlined aesthetic. Next year, the following Scandinavian-inspired modern bathroom trends will look fantastic in any minimalist space:  

Opt for a floating vanity

One of the undeniable features of a modern minimalist bathroom is a stunning, one-of-a-kind vanity that makes a statement. Opting for a floating vanity like this blue wall-hung modern bathroom cabinet is not only incredibly unique, but feeds into the minimalist trend of clean lines and modern illusion. 

Install simple lighting

If your modern bathroom is filled with mirrors, it’s especially important to choose lighting that will maintain and complement a minimalist vibe. One of the coolest lighting trends for a modern minimalist space in 2024 are incandescent wall sconces, which cast soft, ambient light through its canning jar style. With these sconces framing your mirror(s), your lighting will embrace a vintage yet still Scandinavian style. 

Create an open-style shower

An easy way to eliminate clutter is to remodel your shower so that there is no need for shower curtains, a tub, or other enclosure. Creating an open-style shower with a frameless sliding door is ideal for a modern minimalist bathroom. For the most minimal shower, you can construct a wet room where there is no door or enclosure whatsoever, but this is only recommended in larger spaces with adequate heating and air circulation. 

Spring for high-quality

Minimalism doesn't have to mean that you skimped on the budget. When the focus of you design is simplicity, adding luxurious materials can really amp up you design. Choose high-quality materials like natural stone, glass, and stainless steel for a polished and luxurious look.

Hide your storage

Every bathroom needs storage. But you might find that lacking in a minimalist bathroom. To maintain a clutter-free appearance, integrate hidden storage solutions, such as recessed shelves or medicine cabinets. Work a large walk-in closet into the design so you have access to everything you need without adding clutter to the bathroom space. 

Interior Tips for Mid-Century Modern Bathrooms 

Finally, if your bathroom is mid-century modern, there are several trends arriving in 2024 that will work well with the muted tones, graphic shapes, and combination of natural and man-made materials that define this style.  

Create geometrically-patterned walls

Geometric shapes or tiles lining the walls of your bathroom is a great way to create a layer of visual intrigue that complements a mid-century modern feel. Whether you create an accent wall of tile in only your shower, or you decide to tile all four walls of the space, rectangular tiles are one choice that will elevate any modern design technique.  

Add a warm wooden vanity

Warm brown wood is one of the most common features in any mid-century modern home, so why not opt for a warm wooden vanity as the focal point of your bathroom in 2024? Contrasting well with white flooring or appliances, this type of vanity will underscore the natural element that is a notable staple of this design technique.  

Install wood-framed rectangular mirrors

Another way you can incorporate natural materials into your mid-century modern bathroom is to give your mirrors a wooden facelift. Either by adding wood frames to your existing mirrors, or by installing new mirrors that have wooden surrounds, you can create a natural aesthetic that is also graphic and square by integrating rectangular mirrors. 

Accent with brass or gold

Gold-toned metals were all the rage in the mid century and no mid-century modern bathroom is complete without it. Add a touch of luxury and sophistication with brass or gold hardware and fixtures on the faucets, towel racks, and cabinet handles. 

Keep it warm

In addition to natural woods, stick to a warm and earthy color palette. Add a splash of bold accent color and you're in business. Popular colors from this era include mustard yellow, avocado green, teal, and various shades of brown.

Include a shapely bathtub

Choose a freestanding bathtub in a unique shape, like an egg or oval, to make it a focal point of the bathroom. These organic type shapes are a classic mid-century modern move your bathroom can't be without.

Looking for other affordable options as you set out on updating your bathroom? Here are some of our top tips for creating a luxurious-looking bathroom for cheap. 

Cheap Updates for the Bathroom

 

 

Simple Steps to Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests

When you were at the peak of enjoying easy-breezy summertime in June, it seemed like a fabulous idea to offer your house for Thanksgiving dinner, the company holiday party, and the family gathering on New Year’s Day. Now that the clock is ticking and all of those fall and winter holidays are fast approaching, you may be kicking yourself for saying that you’d host, wondering where to even begin.  

The good news is this: getting your house ready for guests doesn’t have to be a gigantic, stress-laden ordeal that keeps you up at night. In fact, prepping for guests can even be fun! You’ll get to make a series of simple updates that will transform your home into an inviting and cozy haven for your guests – updates that will last long after they leave.  

By starting now and tackling the task early, you can ensure that your home or apartment will be holiday ready so all of your guests feel heartily welcomed. Here are our simple steps to prep for holiday guests:  

Start with a quick-and-easy sweep of any clutter 

The very first step in getting your house ready for guests is to declutter the rooms where they will be spending time. Spaces like the foyer, kitchen, dining room, and living room should be your main targets, as well as any guest bedrooms or rooms where they might be staying overnight. 

Remove anything that’s unnecessary from coffee tables, countertops, and ottomans. You can round up any clutter into storage bags or bins, and place them in your garage, shed, or basement until after the holidays so that your home is clean and tidy. 

Stock the guest room and make sure it’s updated 

If your guests plan to spend a night or two at your house, you’ll want to give extra care and attention to their sleeping quarters. Start by stocking their guest bedroom with things like extra towels and blankets, which can be placed on the end of the bed, as well as toiletries they might have forgotten to pack like lotions, toothpaste, or hair ties. You could even place a small basket with some holiday snacks or treats in their room.  

Finally, evaluate the overall look and layout of your guest bedroom. Could it use a new rug? Does the bedding feel outdated and worn? Is the lighting in need of an update? Making small updates like adding a new freestanding lamp to the bedside table will give the space more charm. 

Freshen up the bathroom so that it’s spotless 

There is nothing worse than a dirty bathroom, so now it’s time to focus on making sure yours is squeaky clean for your guests. In addition to sanitizing the toilet, sinks, and tub or shower, you should go the extra mile to achieve a spotless space by doing things like dusting the light fixtures, buffing the mirrors, and vacuuming the floorboards.  

You can also make it easy for your guests to find hygiene supplies they may need (like soap, tissues, or towels) by incorporating a new linen tower.  

Complete any ongoing DIY projects you’ve been intending to do 

Last but not least, this period of preparation is the perfect opportunity to finally tackle any DIY task you’ve been meaning to complete. For example, if your kitchen has been plagued with a leaky faucet, now is the time to replace it with a state-of-the-art kitchen faucet that will freely flow without a hitch.  

If you’re like most homeowners, there’s probably a sprawling list of projects that you just haven’t had the free afternoon to address – like hanging framed photos or repainting a scratched wall. Use your guests’ arrival date as the definitive deadline for these low-priority DIY projects, and get them done once and for all! 

Want more guest prep tips? Check out this supply list to restock your medicine cabinet.

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