A leaking shower! Nothing can be worse than that, right? We know that a shower leak can send your stress high and bills even higher. That’s when you need professional plumbing services to fix your shower leak. However, knowing the common causes of water leaks can help prevent them in your home.

Building movements and foundation shifts often contribute to leaks. Building movement stresses many components of the shower and waterproofing system. Tile grout cracks, the waterproofing membrane losing its adhesiveness, and the increased gap between the wall and floor joints, leaving water to seep through, can be the immediate reasons behind shower leaks.

Here are six common causes of a leaking shower and how to fix them.

1.  Cracked Tile Grout

A cracked or missing grout is the primary cause of leaking showers in homes. Water can seep through the exposed gaps created by the cracked or missing grouts between the tiles, thus causing this issue.

You can try a small test to check if this is the case. Spray some water on isolated sections of the wall and let it dampen. If you notice any cracks, splits, or holes –  no matter how small they are – you need to regrout these sections.

You need to replace the tile grouts if this is the case. Buy pre-mixed grout and apply it on the surface.

2.  Faulty Shower Faucet

Leaky shower faucets are often the culprits behind that annoying drip, drip, drip sound. Years of use can wear down O-ring cartridges, rendering them incapable of controlling water flow. Hard mineral deposits may also lead to internal corrosion. To resolve this, turn off the main water supply, disconnect the faucet, and inspect each component. Replace damaged or worn parts to restore functionality.

3.  Leaking Drains

All shower drains connect to a P-trap designed to prevent deep clogs. However, over time, the P-trap may disconnect or develop cracks, causing water to leak into the property’s substructure. Professional assistance with plumbing leak detection is crucial to address plumbing or drainage failures effectively.

4.  Waterproofing Failure

Waterproofing membranes are essential for preventing shower leaks. Poor workmanship, often a result of time constraints, can lead to membrane failure. If the membrane is compromised, the shower will need to be out of commission for a few days, as tiles must be removed and reinstalled.

5.  Silicone Degradation

Silicone serves to prevent water from breaching joints between walls and floors. While durable, it can crack, become mouldy, or loosen after prolonged exposure to wet conditions. Replacing silicone involves removing the old strip, cleaning residue, applying new silicone, and allowing it to dry before reusing the shower.

Sometimes, faulty installation can place the shower screen on the wrong side of the hob. The hob must be installed on the inside of the hob, but it sits near the edge of the other side, which leaves a short shelve on the inside of the shower. If that happens, water can slide down the shower screen and land directly on the hob and tile grout. The water eventually penetrates the grout and causes water damage beneath the tile surface.

To fix this issue with a poor shower hob job, you can connect with professional plumbing services to deal with the issue effectively.

6.  Shower Design Flaws

In some cases, leaks result from design flaws. Placing the shower screen on the wrong side may cause water to slide down onto the hob and tile grout, eventually causing water damage. While fixing a poor shower hob job may be challenging, professional resealing services can mitigate the risk of water damage.

Conclusion

Tackling shower leaks involves identifying the specific issue and taking appropriate measures. Whether it’s a faulty faucet, leaking drains, waterproofing failure, silicone degradation, design flaws, or resealing, promptly addressing these problems is key to preventing further damage and ensuring a watertight shower experience.