I was hoping to get some advice on what happens to the concrete foundation, walls and surrounding structure when the water that has been leaking and building up under the bathtub has been happening for a long time. I am currently renting the property and moved in not long ago. Unfortunately I did not know of the pre-existing problem until recently, and there was a dodgy job done to hide faults (re-sealing and re-painting). Thank you all for any information that you could give.

For one thing, the wooden flooring under the tub and in the area will get water-logged, soften and decay. Any flooring such as vinyl/linoleum or tiles that is attached to the top of the floor near the tub can loosen. Also, your water bill is higher than it should be, and if the leaking water is from the hot water pipe then your elec/gas bill is higher than it should be. If there is a crawlspace under this part of the house the water leak invites termites and other pests. Mold and mildew can develop due to the wetness. Depending on the size of the leak and if it is near the foundation wall it can cause the ground under the foundation to weaken and the foundation will crack.

There should be no problem with the concrete,, it should dry out in a few days as long as no water is still leaking. wood or any other material would be a problem,,, 25 year Plumber and ICC commercial plumbing inspector.

Thank you for that, sounds like I have a few people I will need to get out to fix the structures surrounding the bathroom, the leak under the bath has been fixed but I have had to get the carpet removed from adjoining rooms (there were white patches under the carpet on the concrete where the water had managed to penetrate, hence the question of the damage that could be caused to the foundation). I appreciate the help, Thank you.



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Since you are renting this property isn't it the landlord/owner's problem to get it fixed?

Concrete itself isn't damaged by water, that's why it is used for sidewalks and highways. But if the ground under the concrete that is supporting it gets wet and stays that way for a while the ground will give way and the concrete can then crack since the ground under it is no longer supporting it.



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