Leaking Shower Repairs

Fixing the cause, not just the symptom

A leaking shower rarely announces itself. More often, the signs creep up slowly: grout that stays dark, a skirting board that swells, a smell that will not go away, or paint bubbling on the wall of the next room. By the time the problem is obvious, water may have been escaping for months or years, soaking into the floor, framing and wall linings.

We repair leaking showers throughout Morwell, Traralgon, Churchill, Moe and the surrounding towns. Our focus is on finding the real cause, repairing any damage it has done and rebuilding the shower so the problem does not come back.

Signs your shower may be leaking

• Grout that is dark, crumbling or missing, especially near the floor.
• Loose or drummy tiles on the shower floor or walls.
• Swollen or rotting skirting boards and door frames near the bathroom.
• Damp, stained or mouldy walls in adjoining rooms.
• A musty smell in the bathroom or nearby cupboards.
• Water stains on the ceiling of the room below, in two-storey homes.
• Soft or spongy floors near the shower.
• Silicone that is split, discoloured or peeling at the shower base.

Common causes

Failed waterproofing

The most common cause in older showers is a membrane that has failed or was never installed properly. Once water gets past the tiles and grout, it soaks into the floor and walls.

Cracked or porous grout

Grout is not waterproof. When it cracks or erodes, water reaches the bed beneath the tiles and, if the membrane has failed, the structure.

Failed silicone

Silicone joints at the shower base and corners are maintenance items. When they split or peel, water can track behind the tiles.

Leaking tapware and pipes

Water can escape from taps, shower arms or pipes inside the wall, particularly where connections are poorly sealed.

Poor falls

If the shower floor does not fall properly to the waste, water can pool and find its way through weak points.

Floor movement

In older timber homes, floors that move can crack tiles, grout and membranes, opening paths for water.

How we approach repairs

Inspection

We start by looking closely at the shower and surrounding areas. We check the grout, silicone, tiles, tapware, falls, screen and the condition of nearby walls and floors. Where we can, we look underneath the house.

Explaining the options

Sometimes a leak can be fixed by replacing silicone or regrouting. More often, especially in older showers, the membrane has failed and the shower needs to be rebuilt. We explain what we have found and what we recommend, honestly.

Strip-out

When a rebuild is needed, we remove the tiles, linings and shower base to expose the structure.

Structural repairs

Damaged timber is cut out and replaced, floors are stiffened and wall plates repaired. We do not tile over rotten timber.

Rebuilding

We install new linings, set the falls, waterproof to AS 3740, tile and fit a new screen and tapware. Every stage is photographed.

Repair or full renovation?

If the shower is part of an older bathroom with other problems, it may make more sense to renovate the whole room. We will give you an honest view of which option suits your situation.

Leaking showers in older Morwell homes

Many older homes in Morwell, Moe and Churchill have showers built before modern waterproofing practices. Leaks are common, and the damage is often more extensive than it looks. Timber floors on stumps can rot near the shower, and fibre-cement linings may contain asbestos, which needs testing and licensed removal.

Leaking showers in newer homes

Even newer homes can have leaking showers. Poorly installed membranes, failed silicone and cracked grout are common causes. Where a home is still under a builder’s warranty, it is worth checking your options before work begins.

Preventing future leaks

• Run the exhaust fan during and after every shower.
• Keep grout clean and sealed where recommended.
• Replace silicone when it splits or discolours.
• Fix dripping taps promptly.
• Report any loose tiles or new cracks early.

Common questions

Can you just regrout my shower?

Sometimes. If the membrane is sound and the leak is from grout or silicone, regrouting and resealing may be enough. If the membrane has failed, a rebuild is needed.

How long does a shower rebuild take?

That depends on the extent of the damage and curing times. We give you a realistic timeline after the inspection.

Will my insurance cover it?

Some policies cover sudden damage but not gradual leaks. It is worth checking with your insurer.

What we find behind leaking showers

When we remove the tiles from a leaking shower, we often find similar problems. The original membrane may be missing, cracked or applied too thinly. The floor waste may not be connected to a puddle flange, so water runs down the outside of the pipe. Timber around the shower base may be dark, soft or crumbling. Wall plates may have rotted, and in severe cases floor joists may have lost strength. Sometimes there is evidence of earlier attempts to fix the leak, such as layers of silicone or tiles laid over tiles. We photograph what we find and explain it to you before any repairs are made.

Hob showers and step-down showers

Many older showers have a tiled hob, a raised lip at the front that holds water in. Others have a step-down floor. Both can leak where the membrane is not continuous across the hob or step. When we rebuild a shower, we can keep the hob, or remove it and create a level entry with a linear drain, which is easier to use and clean.

Shower screens and leaks

Shower screens that are poorly sealed or have worn seals can let water out onto the bathroom floor, where it may find its way under the skirting. We check the screen as part of our inspection and can replace seals or install a new screen as part of the repair.

Two-storey homes

In two-storey homes, a leaking shower can damage the ceiling of the room below. We look at ceiling stains, check the shower above and coordinate any ceiling repairs as part of the job.

Acting early

The longer a leak continues, the more damage it does. Water soaking into timber framing can lead to rot, attracting termites and weakening the structure. Damp walls can grow mould, which affects air quality. Acting early limits the damage and the scope of repairs. If you suspect a leak, it is worth booking an inspection rather than waiting.

Showers in rental properties

Landlords and property managers often contact us about leaking showers in rental homes in Morwell, Churchill and Traralgon. We can inspect the shower, provide a written report on what we find, and plan the work to minimise disruption to tenants.

After the repair

When we rebuild a shower, you receive photographs of the structural repairs and each stage of the waterproofing, along with compliance documentation. This is useful for your records, for insurance and for any future sale of the property.

Leaking showers in rural homes

On rural properties around Hazelwood North, Boolarra, Tyers and Glengarry, leaking showers can go unnoticed for longer, because subfloors are less often inspected. If you notice a damp smell under the house or water staining on the stumps or bearers below the bathroom, it is worth an inspection.

Can I keep using a leaking shower?

It is best not to. Every use adds water to the structure. If you must keep using it, minimise use until it can be repaired.

Where we repair showers

We inspect and rebuild leaking showers across Morwell, Churchill, Traralgon, Moe, Newborough and the rural districts nearby. Older timber homes are the most common, but we also rebuild showers in homes only a few years old.

Will insurance cover a leaking shower?

That depends on your policy. We can provide a written report of what we find to support your conversation with your insurer.

Damage beyond the shower

Water from a leaking shower can travel along floor joists or slabs into the next room. We check adjoining walls, skirting boards, cupboards and floor coverings for moisture, so any hidden damage is found and included in the repair plan rather than discovered later.

Book a design consultation

If you suspect your shower is leaking, book a design consultation. We will inspect the shower, explain what we find and recommend the right fix.

Areas we service

• Boolarra
• Churchill
• Glengarry
• Hazelwood North
• Hazelwood South
• Jeeralang Junction
• Moe
• Morwell
• Newborough
• Toongabbie
• Traralgon
• Tyers
• Yallourn North
• Yinnar