How to Fix a Leaking Shower

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17 - 05 - 2022
By Sean Freitas

A leaking shower generally starts from something going amiss, like a chipped tile or dripping shower head, a smell coming from your shower or a growing mould. Minor issues can quickly transpire into something much bigger and lead to water damage which can be highly problematic. In most cases, leaky showers are a job for professionals. If the leak is coming from taps, pipes, or the shower base itself, you’re going to need the assistance of someone who knows what they’re doing.

How Do I Know If My Shower Is Leaking?

Before panic mode settles in, there is a simple perform-it-yourself test you can administer before calling a plumber, which could save you time and money.

The first step is to assess whether your shower is actually leaking. You can carry out what is known as a flood test, which simply means to block your shower drain and fill up the base with water from another source. Have some waterproof tape handy and mark the height to the point you have filled the water. If it doesn’t start immediately gushing out water, you will have to wait it out between 12 – 24 hours, and if the water level is lower than your marked height, you likely have a leaky shower. Next, you need to determine the source of the leak.

What Causes A Leaky Shower Faucet?

The list below looks at the areas that could be the cause of the leak and then why this could have happened.

SHOWER PAN OR TUB

Poor craftsmanship during installation
Leaky taps
Failure to adequately waterproof
Blockage or obstruction
Worn rubber or silicone sealing
Old age
Excessive use/wear and tear

SHOWER DRAIN

Cracks around the drain
Wear and tear around the drain
Waterproofing
Blockages or obstructions

SHOWER DOORS OR SCREEN

Damaged seals
Silicone wear
Cracks in the screen glass
Poor workmanship during installation

CRACKED TILES, GROUT OR PERIMETER JOINTS

Cracks in your shower or bathroom tiles or the grout
Lack of waterproofing
Old age
General wear and tear
Dripping Taps or Shower Head

TAP WASHER

Cracked or worn seat
Failed cartridge/mixer tap
Old age
General wear and tear

PIPES

Burst or leaking pipe
Blockage or obstruction
General wear and tear

To determine the cause of the leak, ensure that you inspect the tiles, grout, silicone and shower perimeter joints for any cracks or damage. If water is coming from any adjoining walls or leaking onto the floor and creating a pool, you may have found the source of the problem.

When inspecting the shower screen or doors, look for water pooling outside your shower. Look closely at the seals and note any mould growing and cracks or missing pieces of your seal. Don’t be alarmed if this is the cause, as it is usually a quick and easy fix.

When examining the showerhead or taps, check if you can hear constant drips coming from your shows even when the water is turned off as it can be yet another reason for the leak.

Continual use can lead to general wear and tear in shower taps, and if the leak is coming from taps or showerheads, replacing them with new parts can be a quick fix. To ensure that it’s a simple leak and not a deep-rooted issue, we recommend seeking the advice of a professional plumber dealing in shower tap leakage repair and tap replacement. If a leaking tap or showerhead is not dealt with on time, it can use much more serious damage.

If you notice that water isn’t flowing through the drain properly when examining the shower drain, you can perform a simple DIY test to determine this.

Don’t use your shower for 24 hours, and ensure the area around and inside is completely dry. Remove the metal drain cover if it is not stuck down, and pour a glass of water from another source around the drain and not into it. If the water does fall through the drain, it is at least escaping. There might be gaps between the fibreglass base in your shower that connects to the drain pipes or a crack in the pipes surrounding the drain.

What Damage Can A Leaking Shower Do?

A professional can easily fix issues with a leaking shower. However, if you neglect to attend to a leak, you could face some bigger issues down the track, some of which include:

UNPLEASANT AND NOTICEABLE WATER STAINS

Constant dripping can lead to watermarking and stains in and around your shower, which can be quite unsightly. Removing the markings might demand a more intense job if your leak is left unattended. If you love the aesthetic of your bathroom, this is something you should pay attention to.

HIGH WATER BILLS

If you have a leak in your shower, you will notice that your water bills are higher than expected. An unattended leaky shower can sometimes waste upwards of 90lt of water a day! This is something you will want to deal with asap as you may not notice the problem until your utility bills arrive.

EXPENSIVE REPAIRS

Water can break things down over time, and if you do not attend a leaky shower, you may have to replace some of the structural aspects of your shower, which can be costly! So, to avoid potentially renovating your entire bathroom, look into options such as re-grouting shower sealing before any further damage is caused.

HEALTH RISKS

One of the worst things that can come from having a leak in your shower is the adverse health risks associated with mould build-up, which can grow on your bathroom walls or floor. Health issues can range from respiratory issues to irritations in and around the eyes and skin rashes. In some cases, it can cause headaches and fever.

Most of the effects mentioned here can be avoided if you attend to the leak as soon as you discover it. Do not put this issue off, and ensure you call an expert to help you today.

If you are experiencing a leaky shower and are based in Sydney’s northwest, give Link Plumbing a call for a comprehensive and competitive quote. Driven with the vision to provide the highest quality plumbing services to the residential sectors in Sydney, Link Plumbing has a solid background in plumbing services, with a team of highly experienced professionals who genuinely care about quality and delivering industry-leading standards.

As an established team, we are equipped to deliver refined workmanship and service that goes above and beyond, every single time. Our commitment to attention to detail is the secret to our reputation and the reason why our clients know that they are in good hands. Don’t put off fixing a leaky shower for what could be a very simple fix. Give us a call today to learn more.

Leaking Shower – FAQs

WHO TO CALL TO FIX THE LEAKING SHOWER?

You should call a professional who has the skills and experience to assess the cause of and knows how to fix a leaking shower.

HOW DO I STOP MY SHOWER FROM LEAKING?

Inspect your shower closely and regularly to determine if anything seems amiss. Look at cracks in the tiles, leaking showerheads, and water not flowing down the shower drain properly.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FIX A SHOWER LEAK IN THE WALL?

Depending on the cause as there are more than one cause of a leaking shower I would say between $300-$1500.

DO TILE SHOWERS ALWAYS LEAK?

No, tile showers are not supposed to leak. However, if you notice a crack or damage to your shower’s tiles, this could be where the leak may be coming from.

CAN WATER LEAK THROUGH TILE GROUT?

Yes, if the grout has worn away, water can seep through and cause the leak. If you suspect water leaking through your tile’s grout, it is advisable to have a professional fix this asap.

HOW TO FIX A LEAKING SHOWER BASE?

Fixing a leaky shower base is easy if you know what to do. Follow these instructions to repair your own shower base!

HOW TO FIX A LEAKING SHOWER TAP?

When you have a leaky shower tap, it’s time to call an expert. Call Link Plumbing to get the Leaking taps fixed.

HOW TO FIX A LEAKY SHOWER?

Before panic mode settles in, there is a simple perform-it-yourself step you can administer before calling a plumber, which could save you time and money.