Leak detection and repair across Sydney since 2002Call or SMS 0412 000 893 · 1choicebm@gmail.com

Leaking shower and balcony repairs in Manly, Dee Why and the Northern Beaches Without unnecessary tile removal

Apartments are the main housing in Manly and much of Dee Why. In the 2021 Census they made up 77% of occupied dwellings in the Manly postcode and 53% in Dee Why's.

After: The same balcony with fresh light grout and a glossy sealed surface
No unnecessary tile removalLicensed & insuredSpecialist leak repairs

Balconies near the beach

Beachside balconies take salt air, sand and wind-driven rain. Sand is abrasive on grout, and salt and sun break down the sealant at walls, door sills and balustrade posts. Where the tiles are sound, a regrout and reseal with new perimeter joints is often what these balconies need.

Older unit blocks and newer apartments in Dee Why

Dee Why has many older unit blocks as well as newer apartment buildings around the town centre. In both, a leaking shower or balcony usually reaches the unit below, so we write our quotes so the owner and the strata manager can both act on them.

How we repair a leak without removing tiles

  1. Assessment. We look for where the water gets in, not only where it shows up, and check that the tiles are sound.
  2. Preparation. We clean the area and protect the surfaces around it.
  3. Remove what has failed. Deteriorated grout and failed silicone come out of the floor, corners and junctions.
  4. Regrout and reseal. New grout goes in as specified, and we reseal the corners, hob, door sill, drain surround and other junctions we can reach.
  5. Remedial sealing. Where it suits the job, we apply the specified sealer to the new grout and joints.

Not every leak can be fixed this way. If tiles are loose, the floor falls the wrong way, the membrane has failed across a large area or a pipe is leaking, we'll tell you before you spend anything.

Before and after from our jobs

Real photos from our own jobs across Sydney.

BeforeBefore: slate-look balcony with discoloured grout.
AfterAfter: renewed grout and a sealed finish.
Slate-look tiled balcony: dull surface and discoloured grout before; renewed grout and a sealed finish after
BeforeBefore: blue mosaic shower floor with stained grout.
AfterAfter: clean grout and resealed edges.
Blue mosaic shower floor: dark, stained patches before; clean, even floor after

See our before and after photos

Why choose 1 Choice

  • Leak repair specialists since 2002. Leaking showers and balconies are our main work.
  • Licensed and insured. 1 Choice Building Maintenance Pty Ltd holds NSW contractor licence 151702C and is insured.
  • A written quote first. It sets out the area, the method and what's excluded.
  • Clear about warranty. The sealing product carries a manufacturer's product warranty of up to 25 years, under the manufacturer's terms. It covers the product, not every possible source of water.

Our services

Questions from Northern Beaches customers

Is it worth repairing a balcony that faces the beach, or will it fail again?

Exposed balconies need checking more often, but if the tiles are sound a regrout and reseal usually costs far less than a rebuild. If the balcony needs more than that, we'll tell you at the inspection.

Do you cover Freshwater, Curl Curl and Brookvale?

Yes, and the rest of the Northern Beaches.

Repairs, warranty and quotes

Will you need to remove my tiles?

Not if the tiles are sound and the water is getting in through the grout and joints. If the inspection shows something else, we'll explain what's needed and why.

How much disruption is there?

A repair is measured in days, not the weeks a renovation takes. There's no demolition, and you can use the area again after 24 to 48 hours, as your technician advises.

What does the warranty cover?

The sealing product carries a manufacturer's product warranty of up to 25 years, subject to the manufacturer's terms and correct application. It is a product warranty, not a promise that nothing will ever leak. Read our warranty information.

How does the quote work?

The inspection and quote are free. You get a written quote with the area, the method and what's excluded before any work starts.

Nearby: Fairlight · Freshwater · Curl Curl · Collaroy · Narraweena · Brookvale · Balgowlah · Queenscliff

Get a free quote in Manly and Dee Why

Tell us what's leaking. Photos help us prepare, but you can leave them out. We'll call you back to book a time.

Your details

We may reply by SMS

The property

The leak

Where does the water show up, and when? After a shower, after rain or all the time?

One wide shot of the whole area, then close-ups of the grout, corners and where the water shows up. JPG, PNG, HEIC or WebP, up to 8 MB each.

    We reply during opening hours. If water is coming through now, call or SMS 0412 000 893.

    Get a free quote in Manly and Dee Why

    Call or SMS 0412 000 893.

    Call or SMSFree quote

    Get a free quote

    Prefer to talk? Call or SMS 0412 000 893.