5 Ways to Stop Your Shower Leaking

Do you agree that there is nothing worse than discovering a puddle on the floor after taking a relaxing shower? A leaking shower is more than just an inconvenience; it can cause water damage, mould growth, health risks, and higher utility bills. These challenges must be addressed on a proactive basis. In this blog, we will discuss 5 ways to stop your shower leaking while keeping your bathroom functional and damage-free.

Signs You Have a Leaking Shower

You need to look out for these signs of a leaking shower to avoid water damage:

1. A foul smell in your bathroom may be a case of blocked drains or extreme mould.
2. Movement of tiles inside the shower is a sign of there being trapped water under it. Cracked or broken ones let in more water.
3. Peeling paint from poor ventilation or water damage around the shower area. Do not repair this by painting over it; instead, find the source of the problem.
4. If there is grout missing/loose in the shower area, seal this off as soon as possible before the water works its way underneath the tiles. Discoloration of the grout is an absolute sign of leakage.
5. Jamming of the door of a shower signifies that behind a wall, because of a leak in a shower, there is considerable moisture within a wall.
6. The deformation of a wall and its stains indicate there is water damage behind.

Can You Repair a Leaking Shower Yourself?

Even when used appropriately, most retail goods only offer temporary relief. Typically, only visible gaps in grout or between tiles are sealed, and other leaks can go overlooked. Furthermore, after all of your hard work, silicone-based materials tend to grow mould quickly and may not withstand building movement. Ez Shower Repair and Tiling is the industry leader, with the most experienced specialists managing a number of projects nationwide while maintaining the highest quality.

Effective Methods to Repair a Leaking Shower

We have listed below some of the methods that you can use to repair your shower leak:

Fix the Showerhead

A malfunctioning showerhead is one of the main reasons for leaks due to the worn-out washer or a loose connection.

Common Signs

• Water dripping from the shower head even if the valve is off.
• There is a loose connection between the shower head and hose.

Solution

• It may just require tightening. An adjustable wrench, a bit tightened but with care for it will damage, can solve this issue.
• You can replace the washers, as it is just another source of leak when worn washers exist. These are easily available and cheap.

Materials/Tools

• Replacement washers. Get the ones compatible with your showerhead.
• Adjustable wrench and pliers

Procedure

1. Turn off the water supply for the shower.
2. Unscrew the showerhead with the wrench; pliers may be needed to hold the arm steady.
3. Remove the old washers and replace with new ones.
4. Reassemble the showerhead and hand-tighten the connection.

Fix the Faucet

When internal components, such as the valve seats or cartridge, wear down and let water come out of it, you will get a leaky faucet.

Common Signs

• Water continues to drip from the handle in a full-closed position.

Solution

Change the faucet cartridge. The job is complex but doable.

Materials/Tools

• Replacement faucet cartridge—Specific to your faucet type
• Adjustable wrench and Allen wrench
• Screwdriver—flathead or Phillips

Procedure

1. Turn off the water supply for the shower.
2. Remove the handle. The cartridge is exposed when a concealed screw or decorative cap is removed from the majority of handles.
3. Use the wrench to replace the old cartridge with a new one, ensuring that it is correctly placed and tightened according to the instructions.
4. Reattach the faucet handle and switch on the water supply to check for leaks.

Replace Broken Tiles

If you have cracked tiles in your shower area, they can often allow water to seep through, causing leaks behind the wall.

Common Signs

• There are some prominent cracks or chips in the tiles.
• You can see discoloration or mould around the grout lines.

Solution

You can replace broken tile to fix this problem.

Materials/Tools

• Safety glasses
• Hammer and chisel, or grout removal tool
• Putty knife
• Tile adhesive for wet areas
• Replacement tile, matching the existing one
• Grout, matching the existing
• Grout float and sponge

Procedure

1. Put on protective gear.
2. Use a hammer and chisel or grout removal tool to carefully remove the damaged tile without damaging the surrounding tiles.
3. Clean off debris from the area.
4. Apply tile adhesive to the back of the replacement tile and press into place, making sure spacers are in place for even spacing.
5. Let the adhesive cure with directions given by the manufacturer.

Re-Grout the Tiles

You can see that grout seals up the water passage between the tiles against infiltration. Over the passage of time, it can start showing crack, crumbles, and spots

Common Signs

• The grout is cracked, crumbling, or missing.
• It has become dirty or discoloured.

Solution

Your shower area needs re-grouting of tiles to renew the way they look and prevent water damage.

Materials/Tools

• Safety glasses and rubber gloves
• Grout removal tool and grout float
• Wet sponge
• Grout cleaner and grout sealer

Procedure

• Turn off the water supply to the shower.
• Use a grout removal tool to carefully scrape away the old grout without damaging the tiles.
• Clean the area between the tiles to remove dust and debris from it.
• Press the grout into the grout lines with a grout float, working in small sections at a time.
• Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and press the grout into the joints.
• Wipe off excess grout from the surfaces of the tiles with a damp sponge before it dries.
• When fully dried, apply a grout sealer to protect the area against water damage and stains.

Hire Shower Sealed to Fix Your Leaking Shower

Temporary solutions can work for common shower leaks; some repairs do require professional help. The signs that you need to contact a professional are:

• The leak is probably coming from behind the wall. If you can see water damage on your bathroom walls or ceiling, it most likely originates behind the shower tiles.
• Multiple leaks could indicate that the problem with the shower pan or plumbing system is serious.
• If you are not comfortable handling the repairs, seek professional help.

What Factors Cause a Shower Leak?

Several factors can cause a shower leak. We have discussed a few of them here:

1. Structure Shift: The structures of our homes shift naturally, and this can cause gaps to appear between the shower units and the walls. These gaps affect the seals and let water flow underneath.
2. Waterproofing Membrane: In wet places, a waterproof membrane is required to prevent leaks and infiltration from rain or snow. AS3740-2010 outlines Australian standards for basic criteria. You can be asked for compliance certificates if you require changes in the bathroom.
3. Silicone Seal: The absence of silicone sealant at shower wall joints results in leaks. Silicone degrades over time owing to water pressure and cleaning agents. It should be replaced if it is peeling away or has become mouldy.
4. Plumbing Problems: These are typically simple to fix, such as worn shower heads. Either replace the washer or soak it in vinegar for a bit. Leaks behind walls are more difficult to detect and typically require a skilled plumber to diagnose and repair.

Tips to Prevent Shower Leaks

In this section, we have mentioned preventive measures to avoid shower leaks when designing your new shower.

• Choose easy-to-clean tiles to avoid mould, and use a squeegee in the shower to reduce soap scum.
• A quality waterproof membrane is essential to preventing leaks; therefore, hire a professional for installation.
• Try to keep the bathroom door open if you can after taking a shower to let the bathroom ventilate.
• Check that your shower has a 1/4 inch per foot slope for proper drainage; inspect it twice a year.
• Choose waterproof tiles; porcelain is great for low absorption and durability, but real stone requires sealing.
• Quality plumbing and tiles help to prevent leaks. Install a solid membrane before tiling to guarantee proper drainage.

Final Thoughts

By the end of our blog, we can conclude that the 5 ways to stop your shower leaking that we have mentioned can address common causes of leaks and keep your shower functional. Keep in mind that you should check and maintain your shower seals on a regular basis to avoid any leaks from occurring. In taking these simple steps, you will be able to spare yourself from shower repairs that are not cheap to invest in. If at all you require professional help, professionals like EZ Shower Repair and Tiling are here to offer reliable and high-quality repairs.