Waterproofing Archives - Leaky Showers | Shower Repairs Brisbane

May

Leaky Showers Mount Cotton | 6 Ways Can Keep Your Shower Healthy!

The shower. It must be one of the most used household utilities ever. On average, Australian’s spend 7 minutes in the shower, with a third of us showering twice a day. If you live in a busy household, that is a whole lot of ‘shower action’ going on every single day. Great to hear you’re clean and smelling good, but how’s your shower going?

With all that use, it’s no wonder your shower might have seen better days. Often our showers can show signs of age or heavy usage with some tell-tale signs. But never fear Leaky Showers Mount Cotton, isn’t just able to control and repair your leaky shower. In fact, we have a range of shower maintenance jobs to get your shower back to its old self again in no time. Often, these simple repairs need to be done before we can begin to repair your leaky shower so let’s break down a range of jobs the crew at Leaky Showers Mount Cotton can carry out to keep your shower in tip-top shape.

Removing and re-fitting soap holders
Lots of soap holders are installed in the shower in the same manner shower tiles are. They are effectively a shower tile with a protruding shelf to hold your soap. Unfortunately, these holders can break if pressure is applied to them. Suppose they are grabbed too hard or carry too much weight, such as children hanging off or pulling themselves up. As it is not designed for this function, your soap holder can break or be pulled right from the wall, which compromises the waterproofing in the shower. The experts at Leaky Shower Mount Cotton can remove old or broken tiles and replace soap holders to prevent any further damage to your shower.

Removing or fitting shower rails
Your old shower rail might be housing an area where your shower is leaking, or our leaky shower technicians may need to repair an area behind the rail and replace it with a new rail. If this is the case, our qualified technicians can do this easily.

Removing and regluing damaged or loose tiles
A leaky shower can’t be repaired if there are broken or loose tiles causing issues. If you want to avoid the cost and the pain of re-tiling and re-matching 1 or 2 tiles, we can reglue loose tiles back in place or seal cracked tiles with an Epoxy resin.

Fitting a leak control valve (puddle flange) and waste
A puddle flange is a wide-rimmed device that attaches to the wastewater pipe that sits flush with the flooring. This flange can be siliconed to ensure no water leaks underneath the tiles on your shower floor.

Building and tiling new shower hobs
A shower hob is the raised tiling around your shower that keeps water in the shower. Hob-less showers are where the shower tiles sit flush with the rest of the floor tiles and more are becoming more common these days. But when drainage problems arise, water can easily pool into the rest of the bathroom, leading to flooding and water damage. You may also find your hob-less shower does not fit with your lifestyle and seeps too much water into the rest of your bathroom. Leaky ShowersMount Cotton can build a hob to fit any sized shower giving you that extra security to keep the shower water from infiltrating the rest of your bathroom.

Repairing part or entire walls
Finally, not all showers can be saved with some TLC and sealant repairs. Leaky Showers Mount Cotton have seen it all, and sometimes we will need to repair an entire wall or part of it. We can remove the tiles, replace them, and prevent any further damage from occurring with our renowned industry-standard grouts and sealants.

If you have a concern with your shower and would like to speak with an expert, call us today and let us show you why we are Brisbane’s preferred leaky shower specialists.

May

Leaky Showers Ormeau| How we fix your leaky shower!

It’s a bold claim from us here at Leaky Showers Ormeau…how we can fix your leaking shower without removing any tiles isn’t it? You must be looking at your shower and wondering how on earth do they do that? Well, we’d be lying if we said that we had a magic wand! It actually is a combination of highly skilled professionals and industrial-strength sealers and silicone. But most of all, it’s our 20 years of experience fixing Leaky Showers Ormeau, that has given us our reputable name and skill. We’ve seen it all, and your leaky shower is our kind of business.

As soon as you notice a leak, crack, or gap between your tiles or shower sealant, the first thing you should do is give us a call. If left, leaky showers can cause all sorts of nasty issues behind the scenes that you don’t want to have to fix down the track.
Once we hear from you and understand your issue, we will come and check out your shower and assess the scale of the leak. During this service, we will conduct a free pressure and moisture test. We test the water pressure with a gauge to identify any leaks between the taps and use a moisture meter that uses electromagnetic signals to indicate how much water is behind a tile. Once we’ve completed these tests along with a visual assessment, we have a clear picture of the work scale required, and we will offer you an obligation-free quote to have your leaky shower repaired.

So what’s next? Well, at a time that suits you, we will come to your property and begin to remove old grout and sealant that we suspect is allowing water to escape down into the membrane of your shower. In most cases, the problem is with the grout and sealant. These issues present in the form of cracks, gaps, crumbling or rising efflorescence – a reaction to water underneath the tiles that cause chemicals and minerals in the concrete and glue to rise to the surface and form a crust over your grout.
What this means is, Leaky Showers Ormeau can keep your shower tiles intact and remove old or damaged grout adhesive and sealant in your shower without pulling it apart. Once the old grout and sealant are removed, we will replace these materials with industrial-strength sealers such as Epoxy, Polyurethane, and synthetic silicon, all of which are applied skillfully by one of our qualified leaky showers technicians.

The best part about using Leaky Showers Ormeau is that most services take around 3 to 5 hours to complete and will only require 24 hours to dry before using your shower again. We can come to you whenever you need us, allowing you to sit back with a cuppa or get on with your workday and know that your shower will be as good as new in next to no time, at a fraction of the cost to call out a plumber.

We are so confident in our service and our customer’s happiness that we provide a 100% guarantee on the products we use in your shower for 15 years!

Your shower repair doesn’t need to be a massive bathroom re-do that costs thousands in material and labour, and you don’t need to go without a bathroom for weeks. We can quickly fix your leaky shower without removing tiles (or using a magic wand) and take that extra stress off your mind. Your leaky shower is in good hands with Leaky Showers Ormeau, so give us a call today to arrange a quote and let Brisbane’s preferred leaky shower specialists take care of you.

May

Leaky Showers Coomera | How bad can a leaky shower really get?

How bad can a leaky shower get? read on to discover more from Leaky Showers Coomera!

Life can get hectic at times. We often find ourselves running around, juggling tasks, and making a mental note of those un-done jobs that are beginning to pile up. So, when you notice a bit of a damp smell in your bathroom or a bit of mould on the broken silicone seal around your shower, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and push it to the back of your mind.

How bad can a bit of a leak be?
Well, as it turns out – pretty bad. Leaking baths and showers are a common issue, particularly with older homes. The bad thing about a leaky shower is they do not come with an alarm bell to warn you what is happening. Shower leaks are discreet and silent, making it easy to not notice. But when water is escaping through the outer layer of tile and sealant, it can eventually enter parts of the home not designed to hold excess water or moisture.

May

Are your cleaning habits damaging your shower?

Tile grout can be difficult to keep clean, especially in your shower where it is regularly wet. Warm moist areas create the perfect environment for mildew and mould to grow, so it is understandable that you want to keep your shower as clean as possible.

But could your cleaning habits be causing your grout and shower sealant to break down? Read on to discover more from Leaky Showers Coomera.

Tile grout is the hardened material that fills the space in between your tiles and keeps the water out. It is essentially a combination of cement, water and colourant that is applied under pressure to avoid gaps and achieve a smooth watertight finish to your shower and bath area.
Because grout is porous, a sealant is usually applied to prevent any breakdown in between the tiles over time. However, grout can be damaged, and this can cause water to seep through the tiles and compromise the integrity of the waterproof membrane, or worse, leak and damage the building structure.

Apr

This Is Why Your Shower Is Leaking! | Leaky Showers Nerang

Got a leaking shower and wondering why? Then read on…because, at Leaky Showers Nerang, we’re about to unpack this topic in detail!
Leaking showers can really affect your home because grout isn’t actually waterproof, and even waterproof membranes aren’t impervious to deterioration. A leaking shower can also mean your plasterboard, timber and paintwork are also vulnerable to water damage. Tiny cracks in a shower floor can let water through, and you could end up finding water (and water damage) far beyond your bathroom – especially if your bathroom or ensuite is on the second floor. Foundations and your timber frame can also be damaged which can, in turn, lead to costly repairs.

Some of the causes of leaking showers can be:
1. Broken Tiles Or Grout
When tiles are broken or have been improperly installed, they are exposed to water. Water can break down the tile adhesive, causing tiles to come loose or even fall off altogether. There may also be gaps in the grout sealing, allowing water to reach the waterproof membrane that’s beneath the tiles.

2. Deteriorating Waterproofing
Sometimes in leaking showers, the waterproofing membrane has deteriorated naturally over time (maybe even unnaturally due to more water reaching it than there should be) or has been installed improperly. When this happens minor leaks in the bathroom can turn into water that can flow freely into your home’s structure.

Mar

Leaky Shower Services – Nerang

Do you have a Leaking Shower? If so, the experts at Leaky Showers Nerang are here to help! Leaking showers can cause an array of damage to the structure of your home, which can result in a hefty repair bill.

Read on to discover all of the services we provide to eliminate the leaks in your shower and save you money in repairs.

We Can Fix Your Shower
When you have a problem with your shower, it’s important to leave those repairs to the experts. For example, you may need to fix loose or damaged tiles or even fix a leaky tap or showerhead.
Completing these repairs correctly, and up to the required Australian standards, requires a special set of skills, tools and experience which often the home DIY’er just doesn’t have. Attempting to undertake a job like this can result in bigger problems in the long run, like tiles falling off the wall because the wrong adhesive was used. At Leaky Showers Nerang, we only use professional-grade products and our experience allows us to fix your leaky shower in half the time it would take you. This means your shower will be up and running again in no time.

Feb

A Guide to Expert Waterproofing

Waterproofing balconies and bathrooms are essential to keeping any home safe from water damage – but it’s also necessary to work with experts like Leaky Showers to get the job done right! This article will review the basics of waterproofing, why it is important, and where to find the best waterproofing repairs in South Brisbane.

The Basics of Waterproofing
Waterproofing repairs on leaking showers and balconies prevent moisture from passing through them causing structural damage to the internal frame of your home. In simple terms, a waterproof membrane is applied in a thick layer that keeps all moisture from leaching into areas of your home that are vulnerable to water.
For example, it could be dangerous if your shower leaks into the floors causing the wood to rot or deteriorate. This is extremely dangerous (and expensive!) if your shower is on the second story of your home. However, there will inevitably be water in your shower, so you must apply waterproofing materials to keep it contained. In industry terms, this process is a part of shower resealing.
According to the Australian building code, waterproofing is required anywhere in your home that has a water outlet. This includes your shower, laundry room, bathrooms, and other areas.
Your shower floors and walls must be waterproofed, in addition to your bathroom walls. Interestingly, if your shower is on the second story, you are required to waterproof the entire room – especially if the flooring is made out of wood!

Why Is Waterproofing Important?
So, why is working with an expert in waterproofing essential?
Well, as you might be aware, water is a very corrosive substance and can do a lot of damage to your home. If water seeps through your floors or walls and goes undetected, it can cause numerous problems. Wet or rotting wood will also attract termites that can cause extensive damage as they eat their way through the timber frame of your home.

Jan

Leaking Balcony Repairs – Brisbane

If you notice that water is leaking from your balcony, then it’s time to call in the experts at Leaky Showers. Balcony waterproofing is an essential aspect of keeping your home safe and in good condition. If you have a leaking balcony, then keep reading to learn why you shouldn’t delay in getting it repaired!

Don’t Wait to Repair Your Leaking Balcony
Your balcony is one of the most unique aspects of your home, especially if you live in an apartment. It’s a great outdoor space designed to entertain guests on or relax and enjoy the view from. However, this space can become problematic if there are water leaks that result in damage to your property.

Think about this – your balcony really is exposed to every weather condition imaginable. For example, sudden drops or increases in temperature, light rain or even hail. These sudden shifts in temperature can result in the materials on your balcony deteriorating leading to water leaking into the structure of your balcony and in the worst-case scenario, your home. Cracked grout, degraded tiles and eroded waterproof membrane can all be factors that can lead to balcony leaks not to mention costly repair bills.

Regardless of what’s causing the leak, it needs to be repaired sooner rather than later if you’re to prevent the water damage from entering the internal structure of your apartment or home. If you find water pooling on your balcony or water damage to your internal walls or ceiling, then you need to invest in repairing your leaking balcony ASAP!

Avoid Further Water Damage
One of the best ways to avoid water damage in the future is to invest in balcony waterproofing. Waterproofing your balcony needs to be done by a professional waterproofer and it needs to adhere to Australian standards. Using the wrong type of waterproof product or incorrectly applying it may result in your balcony leaking again. This can lead to another costly fix and the potential for the water to cause more damage in and around your home. If you want to avoid further water damage in the future it’s important to make sure your repairer is skilled in the art of waterproofing before you hire them to complete your repairs.

Avoid Health Concerns
An area that’s continuously wet can lead to the growth of fungus and mould which can lead to some real health concerns. Allergies and respiratory issues can both result from the inhalation of certain types of fungus and mould. People who are sensitive to the tiny air born spores from fungus and mould may display symptoms like a runny nose, cough or red and itchy eyes. Whilst these symptoms may not be life-threatening they really are unpleasant to have to live with on a daily basis. If you want to avoid health concerns in your home or apartment, have you leaking balcony serviced by a professional repairer as soon as you notice any water leaks.

Contact Leaky Showers Today
If you need a leaking balcony repair in Brisbane, then contact the experts at Leaky Showers today!

We understand the importance of protecting your greatest asset, and we have 20 years of experience with waterproofing in Queensland, from Burleigh Heads to Bracken Ridge. Our highly trained technicians will provide a free moisture and pressure test with every quote, and all of our work is guaranteed to give you peace of mind when you hire us.

We can provide a quote within 72 hours, and we pride ourselves on professional and friendly service. As the top company for leaking balcony repairs in Brisbane, many real estate and title agents come to us first for waterproofing needs.

As you can see, a leaking balcony can cause a wide variety of issues, so don’t take the chance that the damage can progress – call us today so we can begin your repairs ASAP!

Oct

Shower Waterproofing and Why It’s SO Important

Waterproofing is one of the single most important things that must be done correctly when building, renovating or repairing a shower in your home. When waterproofing a bathroom, you must comply with Australian standards and building codes. This is easier said than done, if you don’t know what to look for the young apprentice of the day may be responsible for waterproofing and then the next day the tiler comes in and tiles over the work so you may not know it’s even a problem till it becomes a problem.

The waterproof membrane stops moisture and water from seeping into the walls or floors. Not having this done by a qualified professional can potentially lead to tens of thousands of dollars in costs later down the line. Not to mention save you the stress of possibly having to rebuild a major part of your home.

The Purpose of Shower Waterproofing

Shower waterproofing is the process of coating your shower with a waterproof membrane to stop moisture from seeping into the structure of your home.

Essentially, it stops leaks!

You may remember seeing a grey, pink or blue coating of sticky paint during construction or a remodel, this is the membrane.

The waterproof membrane acts as a barrier that sits between the walls and floor of your home and the tiles of your shower or bath. You may not be able to see it once the tiles are on but it forms the most essential part of any shower or bathroom build!

Shower Waterproofing Regulations

There are many regulations that surround waterproofing your shower; therefore, it is best to have your shower waterproofing performed by a professional. In Queensland, a qualified tradesman who holds a waterproofing license must waterproof your shower. If they do not carry a license they are performing waterproofing services illegally and should not be hired. So, this is an essential question to ask your repairer before they start any job in your home.

The regulations for how much waterproof membrane you need to use in your shower are as follows:

. The whole floor needs to be waterproofed
. The shower walls need to be waterproofed up to a minimum of 1800mm

If you have a shower niche that sits slightly higher than the minimum clearance for shower waterproofing then make sure that it is waterproofed entirely as this is a common area where water can seep into the walls of your home.

The Dangers Of Incorrect Waterproofing

There are many ways that leaks can appear in your shower if the waterproofing is done incorrectly, the shower niche being one major example. A lack of waterproof membrane that is not applied to Australian standards may cause the following:

. Water damage and swelling in walls and floors
. Termites to enter the home
. Tiles to become loose, increasing the risk of more leaks
. Structural damage to the home

All of these issues can arise at any time, even if your shower is brand new. These waterproofing mistakes can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in home repairs, especially if you are unaware of the leak for a long time. Therefore, it is extremely important that you ensure that your shower is waterproofed correctly and that you hire a qualified and skilled professional to carry out the work.

On the QBCC website it states:

Whilst a QBCC waterproofing licence is not required where the value of the work does not exceed $3,300, a person applying, installing or repairing waterproofing including surface preparation, and apply or installing material or systems for preventing moisture penetration less than $3,300 may be required to provide a certificate stating that they are a competent person to undertake the work. A person that holds a waterproofing licence as a contractor would be considered a competent person.

If you find that the waterproof membrane in your shower needs to be repaired we can provide waterproofing services to your shower ensuring it is watertight and not leaking. We are qualified waterproofing technicians and hold all the current QBCC licences to provide you a professional result.

All you have to do is contact us on 13 000 LEAKY, and let us know how we can help.

May

The most common causes of leaking showers and balconies

Has your balcony or shower started leaking?

If you’re like most people when this happens you want answers. There are so many different reasons for a shower or balcony to start leaking that it would be easier if we split the two up. Let’s discuss a leaking shower first. There are only two reasons why your shower is leaking through to downstairs or adjacent rooms. Reason number one is the pipes or taps are leaking behind the walls. The picture below shows the damage that your leaking shower causes when left to long before being repaired:

When a pipe leaks, the water will be bound by gravity and the path of least resistance causing it to end up behind bathroom walls and the waterproof membrane. When leaking pipes are the cause of your problems, the repair bill can range from very small or quite expensive depending on where the leak is.

When we provide a quote on repairing a leaking shower the very first thing we do is a pressure test. This allows us to determine if leaking pipes is the problem. This is very important because there is no point in resealing a shower properly if the pipes are leaking behind the shower walls. This picture (below right) shows a pressure test being done on the pipes.

We see leaking showers every single day and the symptoms are always the same – water making its way through the walls or floor to the downstairs or adjacent rooms. After talking to hundreds of people about their leaking showers and listening to all different diagnoses it is evident that on the surface there looks to be a host of potential reasons for water damage but the problem is actually beneath the surface.

The second common reason for a leaking shower is related to the waterproofing. Before tiling, a shower must be waterproofed correctly to ensure any water that happens to get through the grout still finds its way to the waste. Unfortunately, many showers have not been waterproofed correctly if at all.

If waterproofing has been done correctly years of use and shifting of the home over time can cause a waterproof membrane to fail. If this happens you have 2 options. Option 1 is to re-seal the shower. This can be done if the leaking has not been left too long causing damage to the walls and floor. By this stage, it really is quite impossible to reseal a shower properly. Option 2 is to rebuild the shower which is often the best way forward if you want to update your shower or bathroom.

Leaking tiled balconies differ from showers in that there are no taps, shower heads or pipework that can cause leaks. Below is a picture of pipework that has been fixed for a shower.

Balconies also leak due to poor waterproofing or no waterproofing at all. Balconies are exposed to the elements and therefore much harsher conditions than internal bathrooms. This means the floor joints and substructure must be of high quality to withstand this exposure. (Below Right) is a picture of the floor joints being fixed on a balcony. Balconies must also be able to withstand a lot more weight and movement. If not, the chances of the waterproof membrane failing under the balcony increases. Balconies also have sliding doors or windows which add to potential areas for water penetration and therefore leaking. If the balcony is leaking the problem can usually be fixed by re-sealing the entire area without having to remove all the tiles or spending thousands.