This usually occurs between the floor and wall joints of the shower recess. Up to 90% of showers built onto a stud wall will eventually leak because a gap will occur between the tiled wall and the shower recess floor.
Shower leaks can commonly occur in the joint between the shower tray and the walls. This could be due to: Movement of the shower tray. Sealant issues – if a poor adhesive was applied, or if there's mould in the sealant.
Leaking showers are a very common occurrence. Even so, this doesn't make them any more pleasant, or any easier to resolve. Sometimes the hardest part of dealing with a leaking shower is identifying where it's even coming from, which is the first step before tackling the damage and preventing shower leaks in the future.
A lot of the time, floor or shower pan leaks are the result of an improperly installed liner or pan (you'll notice it might move or have a crack), chipped grout (if you have tile), or aging caulk.
Once the tile is set and the grout has cured, seal the grout with grout sealer. Where the wall and floor meet, seal with a matching caulk. Over time, it will be necessary to re-seal the grout to ensure that your shower remains leak-proof.
If your grout is visibly cracked or crumbling, it's likely going to be letting water behind your tiles. Even if your grout doesn't appear to be damaged, if it's not water-resistant it could potentially be the source of the leak.
For high-traffic areas, like the main bathroom, you should consider sealing it every six months, while low-traffic areas like the guest bathroom can be resealed every two years. If you are using epoxy grout, it might not be necessary to reseal it as it is highly water-resistant.
If you have any clear defects on the shower surface, tile regrouting will probably fix your leaking shower.
However, even when baths, shower trays & tiles are correctly installed, water can still penetrate behind tiles, so tanking is highly recommended. This case study shows you the steps that may be required to rectify problems with water penetration in a shower enclosure that was not tanked.
Stains and Discolouration
Dark coloured stains on the walls or skirting boards are a clear sign of shower leak in your bathroom. Discoloured patches on the sub floor underneath the house or on the ceiling below the bathroom means you are in need of a shower leak repair ASAP.
The most common reason for rain shower heads to drip is due to the shower heads clogging over time, caused by limescale deposits as well as other minerals and bacteria.
Every shower is treated with silicone sealant to form a protective barrier over the tiled surface. Over time, shower sealant can degrade and will need replacing. If your tiles aren't damage and the grout doesn't need replacing, a simple resealing job can prevent water from breaching the surface.
Leaking Shower
Repairing the seal around your shower door will cost much less than if you need to completely repair and replace the shower walls or basin. You'll pay around $150 to $500 to fix most leaks from a shower on average.
If the problem is directly behind an area of tiles, it's probably the result of water seeping into the backer board. Tile damage around the shower base often indicates a plumbing leak behind the shower tiles. In this case, you may want to call a licensed plumber to take care of pipe repairs.
Shower leaks behind walls are not always easy to spot. In these cases, your detective skills will be most important. While you may not “see” an internal leak, you will find its evidence. If your shower is on the first floor and you have a basement you may find water dripping from the ceiling onto the basement floor.
Frameless shower doors do not “leak”. Although there are very small gaps in the hinges and on the sides of the door, it is highly unlikely water will pass though these gaps unless water pressure is directly pointed at these seams. This is not recommended nor covered under warranty.
The Signs Of Water Under The Tiles
The tiles feel spongy or soft when you press on them. Or, you might notice that the tiles are loose when you step on them. Mould or mildew is growing on the grouting or tiles. This often results in a distinct musty smell.
Although ceramic tiles can withstand water for a long period, the adhesive and grout may become loose after a few months. On the other hand, a leaking pipe in the kitchen may drip water onto the floor. The tiles nearby may get affected due to this.
Tile and sealed grout is water resistant, but without the proper preparation and installation, water will find its way around them in no time.
2. Grout sealers will break down over time, so you're going to have to reseal grout on a floor every three to five years. Shower grout should be resealed once a year. Always clean grout carefully before doing this resealing.
If you have a high water table the french drain won't keep the water away from the bottom of your concrete slab. So the water from the high water table must be in contact with the concrete slab so the water migrates into the concrete slab and up through the grout joint.
It provides a natural and organic feel to a bathroom, but they are expensive and high-maintenance due to their porous nature. Shower tiles are more difficult to maintain compared to non-wet areas of the house such as the driveway.
A question we're often asked is, “how long should grout last in my bathroom last?” Grout doesn't last forever and has a lifespan of between eight and sixteen years, depending on your upkeep and treatment in your shower area specifically.
Glazed ceramic tile is an ideal material for tub and shower walls. It's impervious to moisture, easy to clean and durable enough to withstand a lifetime of hot, sudsy soakings. Tile isn't maintenance-free, however. Every tiled wall is only as strong as the thin grout joints between the tiles.