Warning Signs of a Shower Leak

You suspect a Leaking shower Repair may be needed but how can you know for sure? We have put together a list of signs of a leaking shower, Not sure if these signs apply to your shower? Sealtech Solutions will be happy to discuss your concerns with you to assess your situation and provide advice on how to fix a leaking shower

Trust your nose – If you can smell rot or mustiness this is a red flag that there is a leak in your bathroom possibly coming from your leaky shower. In addition to being unpleasant for those in the home, an unpleasant odour can also be a sign of mould and rotting which are even more serious issues. Mould and mildew thrive in humid and moist environments, and bathrooms with poor ventilation are certain breeding grounds. Not only are these bad for your health especially if you have asthma or allergies, prolonged exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, and throat but mould spores also actually destroy materials in your bathroom such as wood this is what gives off that unpleasant odour. Some people try cleaning the mould with vinegar or store-bought solutions but unfortunately, if the mould has been there for a while it has made its way into the grout and is very difficult to remove. If you are going to try to remove black mould yourself you should always wear protective gear such as a face mask so you’re not breathing in the spores and gloves so you don’t come into contact with the mould then touch your eyes and be prepared for lots of elbow grease. The use of harsh commercial cleaners isn’t your grouts best friends. Cement grout is porous and will absorb the chemical leading to it breaking down. Missing grout in the shower will lead to water problems and a possible leak in your shower. The best prevention for mould and mildew in your bathroom is using exhaust fans or have open windows to reduce the moisture and humidity when having showers, let the simple squeegee be your best friends, after a shower or bath squeegee the excess moisture of the walls and shower screen, clean and disinfect bathrooms weekly. But if you have a leaking shower or a leak in the bathroom, get it fixed as soon as possible, the longer the leak is left the worse the damage.

Cracked or loose tiles – You may have noticed some movement beneath your feet due to moving tiles. There can be a few reasons why your tile is becoming loose some of which can be house movement, damaged grout, the tiles haven’t been installed with the correct amount of adhesive. Once the water penetrates underneath the tile it can destroy the bond and lead to the shower wall swelling causing tiles to fall off the wall or crack. In the case of floor tiles, they will either pop up or crack due to the pressure. This is not mentioning all the structural problems all the water penetration can create. As the shower is exposed to a lot of water frequently the damage tends to spread very quickly. The longer the problem is left untreated the further risk to greater structural damage and higher repair costs. The only way to stop your shower leaking is to seal all the places that water can penetrate.

Paint problems – Your paint might be trying to tell you something. Bubbling or peeling paint is common in bathrooms with poor ventilation and water damage especially near the shower. The high humidity and moisture found in bathrooms will always wreak havoc with your paint especially if it hasn’t been primed properly with a moisture-resistant primer or a cheap paint has been used. The excessive moisture or a bathroom leak commonly found in a leaky shower can also cause damage to bathroom ceilings. As well as being unattractive, damaged ceilings will worsen and cause serious structural issues. When the moisture gets in between the wall and paints it destroys the bond between the wall and paint which causes the paint to bubble from the wall and peel.

Resist the urge for a quick fix by painting over the problem area. Identifying the root of the problem will be more cost-effective in the long run.

Damp and damaged walls – This can be caused by something as simple as spraying water from the showerhead seeping between the missing or loose grout or something serious like a pipe behind the wall. If the wall is starting to warp and stain it’s a sure sign that there is water damage behind there. It’s always important to ensure a diagnosis has been done by a professional before carrying out any repairs. For less intrusive methods water meter’s or thermal imaging cameras are great in pinpointing the exact location of the leak.

Discoloured and missing grout – Loose or missing grout within your shower should always be sealed as soon as possible as this allows water to penetrate behind the tile to the waterproof membrane underneath. Discoloured grout is not only an eyesore but a sure sign you have a leaking shower. Left untreated for a long period it can lead to structural damage which will end up costing you more to fix. The condition and colour of the grout in your shower is one of the biggest signs you have a leaking shower needing repair and reveal how well the shower is functioning

The bathroom or shower door is jamming – this problem is often overlooked. But if you think about it, when a door is jamming or not closing properly, this is the sign of a bigger issue. A quick repair to a leaking shower can have several benefits including the proper functioning of bathroom and shower doors.

Stained timber underneath the floor – If you suspect an issue check the flooring beneath the bathroom. If it is stained or damp this is a good sign you have a leaking shower.

Do It Yourself or Not

As tempting as it might seem to do a Do it yourself fix consider the risks. Your home is your most expensive and valuable asset. Water leaks in your bathroom are a serious issue and therefore it only makes sense to have it repaired professionally by a trained technician for peace of mind.

Professional companies have the knowledge, tools and commercial-grade materials that normally aren’t found in a DIY kit. They will also have diagnostic equipment to accurately pinpoint the source of the leak.

Don’t ignore the signs of a problem. Long term shower damage will cost you more in the long run not just to your hip pocket but to your health if there is excessive mould in your bathroom.

Have any questions about Leaking Shower Repairs or Bathroom repairs, we would be happy to assist.

Sealtech Solutions we provide fast and quality affordable shower sealing solutions for shower repairs across Sydney. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our products and workmanship. Contact us for a free quote.

Fix your leaking shower

In our minds, showers and bathrooms are waterproofed so we needn’t worry about any water issues. Here are 5 reasons why you shouldn’t neglect fixing your leaking shower. A leaking shower may not seem to be a problem in the beginning. Why because in our minds the shower is specifically built to contain water, so why the hurry in getting it fixed. We tell ourselves that bathroom repairs can be costly so we hold off on the leaking repairs as long as possible. Unfortunately, the longer the leak is ignored, the greater the damage and more costly the repair.

Need a good reason why you can’t neglect fixing your shower leak then read on.

Impact on our environment

Australia has gone through a lot of droughts in the past decade. Parts of our country are in the grip of another drought. It has not only added extra pressure to the economy but the poor struggling farmers and affects us all. Less water means fewer crops cultivated and higher market prices.

In Sydney dam levels are dropping at an alarming rate. Warragamba Dam which is the city’s largest source of water currently sits at under 50%. The onslaught of the summer season and bushfires will do nothing to ease the pressures on the dams. We all need to play our part in contributing to saving water, every drop is precious. Have you given a thought to how much water is wasted from that leaky shower head?

One leaking shower head which drips about 10 drips per minute equals to over 1,000 litres per year.

Higher Water Bills

Every year the cost of living goes up inflation on the rise. It’s harder for families to cope and we all have to become savvier with our income and expenses. Mortgage payments and utility bills account for a significant part of our expenses. Electricity, gas and water bills we can’t control the fixed charges. We can control the usage charges by being smarter about how we use our services.

Stop ignoring the drip from the leaky faucet or leaking shower head. Every drip you ignore is your hard-earned dollars going down the drain. Remember the bigger and heavier the leak the higher the bill.

Leaking shower heads are quite easy to fix. If the water is leaking from the showerhead, hose or arm it generally means that the sealing washers are damaged and need replacing. Remember always turn off the water to the house before pulling any plumbing apart to inspect. Not confident then it’s best left for a plumber or handyman to fix.

Annoying Drip

Drip Drip Drip how can little drops of water become so annoying and take over your consciousness. The sound of the ocean is so soothing, yet the sound of the solitary drip mind-blowing. Worse yet if your bedroom is next to the bathroom. The nights when you settle in bed for a good nights sleep but all you can hear is that pesky leak from the bathroom. Once you’ve heard it you can’t hear it. It takes over your consciousness and builds on your nerves. A good nights rest is vital for our wellbeing and mental state.

 Mould growth

If there’s one place that mould will love in your home it will clearly be the bathroom. That nasty smell of rot coming from your bathroom is a warning sign of hidden dangers. Not only is it unpleasant for the people living in the home but visitors as well. Constant exposure to high amounts of mould can lead to health problems, particularly in the case of asthma and allergy sufferers.

Some may treat the mould with store-bought chemicals while others with home remedies. Always ensure that there is good ventilation to stop mould forming in the first place. When having a shower either use an exhaust fan or open a window for airflow. After the shower uses a squeegee to remove excess moisture from the walls. Clean and disinfect bathrooms weekly.

If the reason for the growth of mould is because there is a leak behind the shower wall or under the shower tile, no amount of products will destroy the mould. This should be inspected and fixed accordingly.

Structural Issues

Continued dampness in your bathroom will lead to structural problems. Water leaks not only destroy your bathroom but adjoining rooms. Peeling paint, rotting timber door frames and flooring, wet carpet are all signs of a water leak. If the bathroom is on an upper story of a home or an apartment the water can drip the ceiling below.

If the water leak is in the shower recess, it can destroy the timber frame supporting your shower. Over time the water collected under the shower tiles will damage the waterproof membrane. A damaged membrane means that the water can travel to the structural components. Your bathroom consists of timber floors and timber studs supporting the walls. Long term moisture will rot your timber leading to expensive rebuilds. The severity of the damage will be dependent on the location, cause and length of time of the leak.

Signs of a Shower Leak

Notice any of the following symptoms they are indicators that you may have a shower leak.  Not sure have a professional assessment.

• Smell coming from your bathroom- Always trust your nose if it is a musty smell caused by mould from rotting timber in your bathroom. Sewer smell means it’s a blocked drain.
• Cracked or loose tiles – Cracked tiles will allow water to travel underneath causing tiles to become loose.
• Cracked or missing grout – Missing or cracked grout allows water to penetrate behind the tile. In time the grout will become discoloured and allow the growth of mould.
• Peeling paint Damaged Walls – When a gyprock wall is wet for a continuous period of time it will cause the paint to bubble and peel.

If you notice any sign of a leak in your shower always have it fixed as soon as possible. Leaks fixed early will save the environment and save you money on the water bill and Shower Repair.

Caught early your shower can be sealed without the removal of tiles at a fraction of the cost of a rebuild.

Have questions about Leaking Shower Repairs?

Contact us today to receive your free onsite assessment and quote, Or you can speak to a SealTech member, Call 1300 356 703

SealTech Solutions providing affordable Shower Sealing Solutions in Sydney. Offering 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our products and workmanship.

We are the Shower Repair Company that still believes in old fashioned service.