How to Fix a Leaking Shower: Shower Repairs and Rebuilds Explained
A leaking shower can be a frustrating problem. At first, it might only be a small amount of water appearing on the bathroom floor. You may notice a section of grout that has cracked, silicone that has started to peel away, or a bit of mould that keeps coming back.
It is easy to assume that replacing the grout or adding some fresh silicone will fix the problem.
Sometimes it will.
But sometimes the water has already found its way behind the tiles, into the wall or underneath the shower floor. When that happens, the visible leak can be a symptom of a much bigger problem.
So, how do you fix a leaking shower?
The answer depends on where the water is getting through and what condition the shower is in.
At Apex Shower Repairs, we look at the shower as a whole before recommending the work that needs to be done. In some cases, a straightforward repair is enough. In others, the shower needs to be stripped back and rebuilt.
Here's what the process can involve.
What Causes a Shower to Leak?
A shower is exposed to water every day, so it is not unusual for parts of it to deteriorate over time.
Silicone can lose its bond. Grout can crack or wear away. Tiles can move or become damaged. Shower screens can develop gaps around their edges.
There can also be problems that aren't visible from the bathroom itself.
The waterproofing underneath the tiles is designed to protect the building from water entering the wall and floor structure. If that system has failed, replacing the surface materials alone may not solve the problem.
Some of the issues we commonly look for when investigating a leaking shower include:
Failed silicone around corners and junctions
Deteriorated or cracked grout
Gaps around a shower screen
Damaged or loose tiles
Water escaping around the shower base
Problems around the floor waste
Leaking plumbing
Poor falls causing water to sit or travel where it shouldn't
Damaged waterproofing
Previous repair work that has not properly addressed the leak
The tricky part is that water doesn't always take a straight path.
You might see water at the bathroom doorway, for example, while the point where it is entering the structure is somewhere inside the shower.
That is why finding the source of the problem is the first part of fixing it.
What Are the Signs of a Leaking Shower?
Not every leaking shower produces an obvious puddle.
Some leaks develop slowly and can go unnoticed for months.
If you have noticed any of the following, it is worth getting the shower checked:
Water outside the shower
If water regularly ends up on the bathroom floor after showering, there could be an issue with the screen, seals, shower entry, drainage or waterproofing.
Mould that keeps returning
Mould around a shower isn't always a sign of a leak, but if it continually comes back in the same areas despite cleaning, excessive moisture may be part of the problem.
Cracked or missing grout
Grout naturally ages, but widespread cracking or sections that are breaking away shouldn't simply be ignored.
Deteriorated silicone
Silicone around shower corners and junctions can eventually shrink, split or pull away from the surface.
Damp or damaged areas outside the shower
Swollen skirting boards, peeling paint, discolouration or a damp smell outside the shower can be signs that water is escaping the wet area.
Staining below the bathroom
If there is a room underneath the bathroom, water damage may sometimes become visible on the ceiling below.
Loose tiles
Tiles that have become loose or sound hollow can sometimes indicate an issue beneath the finished surface.
These signs don't necessarily tell you exactly what has failed. They are simply reasons to investigate the shower before the problem becomes more expensive to deal with.
Can a Leaking Shower Be Repaired Without Rebuilding It?
Yes, in the right circumstances.
A shower doesn't automatically need to be demolished because it has started leaking.
If the underlying shower is in good condition and the problem is isolated, a targeted repair may be the better option.
Depending on the cause, this could involve repairing or replacing failed silicone, addressing damaged grout, dealing with a shower screen issue or repairing another specific area.
The important thing is knowing whether the problem is isolated.
If the waterproofing underneath the tiles has failed, for example, simply replacing the grout on top isn't going to restore the waterproofing system.
This is where professional assessment can save a homeowner from paying for the same problem twice.
A repair should be based on the condition of the shower, not simply on the area where the water happens to be appearing.
What Is Involved in Leaking Shower Repairs?
Every shower is different, but a proper repair generally starts with an inspection.
1. Inspecting the Shower
The condition of the shower is assessed before deciding what work is required.
This includes looking at the tiles, grout, silicone, shower screen, floor, corners, junctions and other areas where water could potentially escape.
The areas surrounding the shower are also important.
Water stains, dampness or damage outside the shower can provide clues about what has been happening.
The aim is to build a picture of the problem rather than simply fixing the first thing that looks damaged.
2. Finding the Likely Source
Once the shower has been inspected, the next step is determining where the water is likely to be getting through.
This could be something relatively simple, such as failed sealant.
It could also involve a combination of problems.
In some situations, plumbing may need to be considered as a possible source. A leaking pipe or fitting can create symptoms that look similar to a waterproofing problem.
Getting this part right matters because the repair needs to address the actual cause.
3. Removing Failed Materials
Where required, old or damaged materials need to be removed before new materials can be installed.
For example, failed silicone can't simply be covered with another layer and expected to provide a long-term result.
The same principle applies to damaged grout and other deteriorated materials.
The surfaces need to be properly prepared before the repair is carried out.
4. Completing the Repair
The work then depends on what has been found.
This could mean resealing parts of the shower, repairing grout, addressing the shower screen or carrying out more substantial work to the affected area.
If the investigation indicates that the problem extends beneath the tiled surface, the repair may need to go further.
That's when a shower rebuild may become the better option.
What Happens When a Shower Needs to Be Rebuilt?
A shower rebuild is a much more involved process than resealing a few joints.
The purpose of a rebuild is to take the affected shower back far enough to deal with the underlying problem rather than continually patching the finished surface.
The exact scope depends on the bathroom, but a typical shower rebuild can involve several stages.
Removing the Existing Shower Finishes
The existing tiles and other affected materials are removed.
Depending on the condition of the shower, this may include removing the shower screen, old sealants, damaged substrates and other components.
Once the shower has been opened up, it becomes possible to see what condition the underlying surfaces are actually in.
Checking for Water Damage
If a shower has been leaking for some time, moisture may have affected materials behind the tiles.
Those areas need to be assessed before the new shower is constructed.
Any required rectification can be completed at this stage rather than simply covering the problem with new tiles.
Preparing the Shower
The surfaces are then prepared for the next stages of the rebuild.
This can include addressing the substrate, junctions, falls and other areas that are important to the finished shower.
Good preparation is one of the less glamorous parts of the job, but it has a major effect on the finished result.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is a critical part of rebuilding a shower.
The National Construction Code includes specific requirements for wet areas, including shower areas, and references AS 3740 for domestic wet-area waterproofing.
The waterproofing system needs to protect the relevant floors, walls, junctions and penetrations from water getting into the building structure.
This is one of the reasons a proper shower rebuild is considerably more involved than simply replacing tiles. The tiles are what you see.
The waterproofing underneath is part of what protects the building.
Retiling the Shower
Once the underlying work has been completed, the shower can be tiled.
This is where the bathroom starts to look like a finished room again.
Depending on the project, the existing style can be matched or the opportunity can be used to give the shower a completely new look.
Finishing the Shower
The shower screen, fixtures and other components can then be installed or reinstated as required.
Final sealing and finishing work is completed so the shower is ready to be used again.
The finished result should not just look good.
The aim is to have dealt with the reason the old shower was leaking in the first place.
Why Re-Sealing a Shower Doesn't Always Fix the Leak
One of the most common things homeowners try when they have a leaking shower is to apply new silicone.
It makes sense.
You see a gap, you seal the gap.
The problem is that a visible gap isn't necessarily the source of the leak.
There may be water getting through somewhere else, or there may already be an issue underneath the tiled surface.
New silicone can be useful when failed sealant is genuinely the problem. But if the waterproofing or substrate is compromised, more silicone isn't going to rebuild what's underneath the tiles.
That is why we recommend finding out what is actually happening before deciding on the repair.
Does Your Shower Need Repairing or Rebuilding?
This is something that should be determined after looking at the shower rather than making a decision based solely on how bad the leak appears. A shower may only require repairs if the underlying structure and waterproofing are still in good condition.
A rebuild may be more appropriate if there are widespread problems, significant water damage, failed waterproofing or a history of repairs that haven't stopped the leak. Age can also be a factor.
If an older shower has reached the stage where one part needs repairing after another, it can be worth considering whether continuing with small repairs makes financial sense.
Sometimes the better solution is to deal with the shower properly in one project.
Why Professional Shower Leak Repairs Can Save You Money
It is understandable that homeowners want to keep repair costs down.
The problem is that the cheapest-looking repair isn't always the cheapest solution in the long run.
If a leak is covered up without fixing its source, you may end up paying for another repair later.
Worse, ongoing water penetration can potentially cause damage beyond the shower itself.
Getting the problem assessed gives you a clearer idea of what you're dealing with and what your options are. You may only need a repair. If you do need more extensive work, it is better to know that at the beginning.
Don't Ignore a Leaking Shower
If your shower has started leaking, there is no need to assume that the entire bathroom needs to be renovated. There is also no reason to assume that a tube of silicone will solve the problem.
The right solution depends on the condition of the shower and where the water is getting through.
That's where an experienced shower repair specialist can help.
At Apex Shower Repairs, the focus is on finding out what is causing the problem and determining the most appropriate way to fix it.
Whether your shower needs a leaking shower repair, resealing, regrouting, waterproofing work or a complete shower rebuild, the first step is getting the problem assessed.
Need a Leaking Shower Repaired?
If you're dealing with a leaking shower, don't wait until the problem becomes more difficult and expensive to repair. Contact Apex Shower Repairs to arrange an assessment and request a quote call 0431443729. We'll look at the condition of the shower, discuss what is causing the problem and explain the repair options available.
If the shower can be repaired without a rebuild, we'll explain what needs to be done.
If the waterproofing or underlying structure has deteriorated and a rebuild is the better option, we'll explain that too.
A leaking shower doesn't always need to become a major renovation. But it does need to be fixed properly.
Get in touch with Apex Shower Repairs today to discuss your leaking shower and find out what needs to be done.
