I recently had some water spill (about 12 ounces) from the bathtub, and it seeped into the gap between the composite wood/vinyl flooring and the baseboards. Unfortunately, that water ended up dripping into the ceiling of the bathroom below, right through the ceiling fan. After a fire damage repair, this issue wasn't a problem before, and now the contractors are saying this gap is necessary for the flooring to expand and contract. They're insisting that it's not their fault for the water leaking through such a small crack. I'm really concerned since this means even a small spill could potentially cause water damage. Is it normal for bathrooms to be this susceptible to leaks?
2 Answers
While it may seem normal, it's not exactly ideal either. Most bathrooms aren't perfectly watertight, so some gaps exist for things like expansion. However, proper installation should include sealing areas to minimize leaks. Caulking the baseboards and the floor can help but won’t completely stop leaks, especially since this isn’t a wet room. Just be mindful that minor spills can lead to damage below if precautions aren't taken.
No, that's not really normal. That gap should have been caulked properly. A good caulk job would allow for flooring expansion while also preventing water from seeping through when you have minor spills. It's definitely worth looking into since you don't want water going into the ceiling below!
Thank you so much!
Minor spills can cause water damage to the ceiling below in most bathrooms? It’s common not to seal the floors to prevent this? I get that it’s not a wet room, but I’m concerned that we simply can’t risk minor spills in a bathroom.