Signs of a leaking shower

What are the warning signs of a Leaking shower? You may suspect that you have one but how can you know for sure?

One thing is for sure.   Leaking showers can cause disastrous problem for homes and units.  Because the longer a water leak is left the more damage will be caused.

Early detection of any bathroom leaks and responsive action in repairing the leak. Will not only save you thousands but a whole lot of headaches. Caught early a leaking shower can be repaired quite quickly and easily.

Follow our quick guide to check if your bathroom has any of the signs of a leaking shower.

Warning Signs of a Shower Leak

Here we explore the signs of a shower leaks.  It’s important to realise an early diagnosis of a bathroom leakage issue. Followed by quick remedial action to stop the leak can save you thousands in repairs.

Musty Smells from your bathroom

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 leaking 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 is mould 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.

Removal of Mould?

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.

Prevention of Mould

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 Tiles or Loose Tiles  will cause a  Leak in your Shower Base

If you notice that your tiles are moving beneath your feet. It’s a time to act quick.  Some reasons why your tiles are becoming loose can be because of building movement, damaged grout, wrong installation with not enough glue. 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. Not to mention all the structural problems that the water penetration creates.  As the shower is constantly exposed to large amounts of water. Water damage tends to spread very quickly to nearby structural parts. 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.

Peeling or Bubbling Paint

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

Bathroom or shower door 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.

How to Fix a Leaking Shower

When it comes time to fix your leaking shower, there are two routes you can go on. The Do It Yourself or have your shower repaired by a professional company.

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.

Need more information about Shower Repairs, head to our site to see what else we have to offer. We are the Leaking Shower Repairs professionals and would be happy to assist you with any concerns that you may have.

Sealtech Solutions we provide quality shower sealing solutions for shower repairs across Sydney.

Related Post: Why you should fix a leaking balcony