A leak in your shower may see you wondering “should I rebuild, or repair my leaky shower”? But don’t wait too long as even the smallest of leaks can lead to severe structural damage and heavy repair bills.

You can try to fix the leak yourself, but quick repair jobs often don’t fix the root causes and may end up making the problem worse. It takes a professional to save your shower with minimally invasive techniques that will ensure its longevity for years to come.

How Do You Know If You Have a Leaky Shower?
Your shower leak will manifest in a range of unpleasant symptoms like a bad smell (which could be the timber shower base rotting), loose tiles and grout, and paint flaking off the walls and ceiling in the vicinity of the shower. Cracks in the walls are also an indication.

It may seem like an obvious question, but shower leaks can cause a range of symptoms that might not seem like water damage at first glance. If you notice any of the following issues, you probably have a leaky shower.

  • Unpleasant, musty smell (could indicate rotting wood below the shower)
  • Loose tiles
  • Damaged grout
  • Flaking paint on the walls or ceiling near the shower
  • Cracks in the walls near the shower
  • Chalky wood
  • Swollen skirting boards or frames
  • Curling flooring
  • Other signs of water damage like mould or water stains on the ceiling or room below

What Causes Leaky Showers?
A variety of issues can cause leaky showers. The only way to determine the root cause of your particular case is by having our team of professionals assess the situation.

In general, leaky showers are caused by damage to the waterproof layer of tiles, grout, and sealant. In addition, building structures shift over time, resulting in small cracks and gaps that allow water to seep through and create more significant issues down the line. Once the waterproof membrane is breached, a small leak doesn’t take much time to become a serious problem.

Sometimes, shower leaks are caused by faulty plumbing. Plumbers can test this by conducting a pressure test. If this is the root cause, the internal pipes may need to be fixed or replaced.

Types of Shower Repair
Since leaky showers have several potential causes, each problem may require a specific solution. Here are some of the shower repair services we offer.

  • Seal and Replace Cracked Tiles

If you’re dealing with cracked tiles, our team can evaluate the severity of the cracks and recommend the best option. If the problem is manageable, we’ll be able to repair or replace individual tiles. However, for more extensive damage, a complete replacement may be necessary.

  • Seal Hairline Cracks

Hairline cracks can lead to more significant damage in the future. We use epoxy to fill in hairline cracks and apply waterproof paint to the surface to prevent this. We also recommend a clear protective urethane coat to extend the tile’s lifetime.

  •  Seal Behind Taps and Around Waste Pipes

It’s common to notice leakage around or behind your taps and waste pipes. If that happens, we can remove the damaged sealant and apply a new sealant to protect against future leaks.

  • Replace Damaged Sealants

Shower tiles are treated with a silicone sealant that protects against moisture, wear, and tear. Over time, this sealant degrades and requires replacement. However, as long as there is no tile or grout damage, a new coat of sealant may be enough to repair a leaky shower.

  • Grout Top Up

If your grout is damaged, it may allow water to seep behind the surface. Our professional team can restore your tile grout to its original, pristine condition.

Should You Rebuild or Repair Your Leaky Shower?
The decision to rebuild or repair your leaky shower is ultimately up to you, but it’s helpful to seek advice from a professional. If you notice any of the signs of water damage listed above, give us a call. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the problem.

We offer a free moisture and pressure test with each consultation. Thanks to our years of experience, we can save you a huge amount of money and time by repairing almost any leaky shower without removing any tiles.

If you need help from the best leaky shower repair service in Brisbane, get in touch with our team today!