Leaking shower repairs in Sydney, without removing tiles
A leaking shower rarely needs a new bathroom. In most cases water is getting through worn grout and failed silicone, and we can fix that from the surface. We've been sealing leaking showers across Sydney since 2002. The sealing product we use carries a manufacturer's product warranty of up to 25 years, under the manufacturer's terms.
Signs your shower is leaking
- Mould or black staining that comes back soon after cleaning
- Cracked, crumbling or missing grout, mostly on the floor and in the corners
- Silicone that has lifted, split or turned black
- Tiles that sound hollow when you tap them
- Swollen skirting, a damp door frame or peeling paint outside the shower
- Stains or bubbling paint on the ceiling below
- A musty smell that won't go away
Why showers leak
Grout is porous and rigid. Years of hot water, cleaning products and small building movements crack and wear it away. The silicone at the corners, floor junction and screen breaks down too. Once those joints open, water gets into the bed under the tiles and travels until it can get out. That can be well away from the shower.
Less often, the cause is a plumbing leak in the wall, a fault at the floor waste or a failed membrane underneath. We work out which one it is before we quote.
What we check at the inspection
The inspection is free. The technician checks the grout, silicone, floor waste, hob and screen line. They tap the tiles to find any that are loose and look at where the water shows up and when. That pattern tells us whether water is coming through the tiled surface, which we can fix, or from a pipe or the membrane, which needs a different repair.
Can a leaking shower be fixed without removing tiles?
Often, yes. Shower waterproofing over tiles works when the tiles are sound and water is getting through the joints.
H3: It usually suits your shower when
- The tiles are firmly stuck down, with few or no hollow or cracked tiles
- Water is getting in through the grout and silicone
- The floor falls to the waste so water drains away
- You're happy with how the tiles look
H3: Tile removal is the better option when
- Many tiles are loose, cracked or hollow
- The leak is from a pipe, tap or valve in the wall (call a plumber)
- Water sits on the floor because the falls are wrong
- The membrane underneath has failed across a large area
How we fix a leaking shower
- Cut out the failed grout and silicone from the floor, corners and wall-to-floor junctions.
- Regrout with a wet-area grout, or epoxy grout where it suits the job.
- Reseal the movement joints at the corners, the hob and along the shower screen.
- Apply a penetrating sealer to the new grout and joints to help keep water out.
- Let it cure. The shower is ready to use after 24 to 48 hours, as your technician advises. We'll leave you simple care instructions.
Shower resealing and screen silicone
Sometimes only the silicone has failed. Shower resealing replaces the old silicone at the corners, around the hob and along the shower screen and its frame. We don't supply or replace screens or doors, but resealing the silicone around them is part of our work.
Shower leaking through the ceiling below?
The stain often isn't directly under the leak, because water runs along the slab or floor framing before it drips. Read what to do when a shower is leaking through the ceiling below, then book a free inspection. In an apartment, see how we work with strata managers.
How much does a leaking shower repair cost?
It depends on the size of the shower, how much grout and silicone needs replacing and if the walls need doing as well as the floor. A regrout and seal usually costs a fraction of a renovation. The inspection and written quote are free, so you'll have the exact price before you decide. Read what affects the cost of regrouting a shower.
What this repair won't fix
Our seal stops water getting through the tiled surface. It doesn't replace the original membrane underneath, and it doesn't fix plumbing leaks, blocked wastes or structural cracking. If one of these is the cause, we'll tell you.
Before and after: showers we've repaired
Leaking shower questions
How long before I can use the shower again?
Usually 24 to 48 hours. Your technician will tell you exactly when, and it's confirmed in your quote.
Do you fix leaking pipes or taps in the wall?
No, that's a plumber's job. If the inspection points to plumbing, we'll tell you before quoting.
Will the new grout match my tiles?
We'll help you pick a colour at the inspection. New grout is usually brighter than the old, which many people like.
Can water leak under the bath?
Yes. A failed joint where the bath meets the tiles is a common cause, and we check it at the inspection.
Do I need to send photos first?
No. Photos help us prepare, but the inspection is free, so you can just book one.
Book a free leaking shower inspection
Call or SMS 0412 000 893, seven days a week, or send photos through our enquiry form.