What to Do When Your Bathroom Floor Drain is Leaking

Leaks in the bathroom can often occur, especially around the floor drain. If a leak occurs, here’s how to handle it

How to Address Leaks Around the Bathroom Floor Drain

1. If the area around the floor drain has not met waterproofing requirements, leakage issues may arise over time. The solution is to remove all the tiles around the drain and redo the waterproofing. You need to chisel out a 2-3 cm groove, with a depth of approximately 3 cm. Rinse it with clean water and use a brush to thoroughly clean out any debris inside.

2. Choose a cement-based waterproofing agent to fill the groove, and then smooth it out. Once it has dried, it will help prevent water seepage. If the leaking issue is caused by damage to the adjacent drainage pipe, you can pry open the tiles next to the drain and apply a sealing compound to the damaged pipe. Finally, conduct a water-tightness test to check for any leaks. If the pipe is severely damaged, it’s best to replace it with a new one.

3. If the leak is specifically caused by the floor drain itself, replacing the drain can resolve the issue.

How to Choose a Bathroom Floor Drain

1. Choosing the right floor drain initially can help prevent leakage issues later on. Avoid selecting materials like cast iron or pure copper, as they are prone to rust in the humid bathroom environment over time.

2. Some drains are cylindrical with no bends in their interior; these can lead to a return of unpleasant odors over time, negatively impacting the indoor environment.

3. There are floor drains with a cover that provide some odor prevention, but they may not be very effective, as they are also prone to clogging. Such drains should be avoided.

4. When selecting a floor drain, consider spring-loaded options that offer good sealing effects. Another option is a magnetic self-sealing floor drain that can press automatically, making it less likely to cause leakage during draining.

In summary：if there is a leak at the floor drain, it is essential to identify the cause first before addressing it accordingly. This generally leads to a proper resolution, ensuring that the bathroom does not experience further leakage issues.