Most showers leak when water enters the substrate of the property through cracks in the tiles, damaged grout or broken sealant barriers. It goes without saying, but these concealed parts of the home don't cope well with moisture.
If your grout is visibly cracked or crumbling, it's likely going to be letting water behind your tiles. Even if your grout doesn't appear to be damaged, if it's not water-resistant it could potentially be the source of the leak.
If you do not seal your grout at the right intervals, then water may seep through. Your tile floor may sustain water damage due to this leakage. Not only will this damage tiles, but it will also harm the underlying subfloor.
The shower water leak should be repaired quickly otherwise, the buildup of stagnant water will lead to mold and damp under the tiles. This is a major health hazard. Dampness can also damage the structural integrity of walls. If water gets behind tiles then it can harm the adhesive holding the tile to the structure.
Damaged O-rings, washers, or gaskets are usually to blame. When hair, soap, and other debris clog a shower drain, the water can't go down the drain. If the tub or pan overflows, it could leak through the ceiling below. Over time, the rubber gasket under the shower drain can dry out, crack, and leak.
Shower leaks can commonly occur in the joint between the shower tray and the walls. This could be due to: Movement of the shower tray. Sealant issues – if a poor adhesive was applied, or if there's mould in the sealant.
How Much Does Shower Regrouting Cost? A full regrout of an average-sized shower might cost anywhere from around $560 to $1,750. The overall price depends on various factors, including the type of grout used and how much old grout needs to be removed. We have set out how much you may expect to pay below.
Starting with a dry shower, splash water on one area of one wall at a time, working your way around the shower. Look for missing grout along the tiles as you go, as it's easy to spot when wet. If you happen to locate a spot with missing grout, simply re-apply some fresh grout in its spot.
All cement-based grouts are water resistant so they all allow the passage of water through them without breaking down. The more polymer that is in the grout the greater the resistance to water penetration.
How to Tell If Grout Is Sealed. You can sometimes tell if your tile or grout has been sealed by spreading a few drops of water on them. If they darken or change color, they are probably not sealed. If they stay the same, they may have already been sealed.
Many authorities recommend sealing shower grout at least once a year as a rule of thumb.
One of the tell-tale signs of a water leak coming from a shower valve behind the wall is water stains. If you have an upstairs bathroom, you may notice dried water stains on the ceiling below the shower. Most times shower valve leaks behind the wall are very slow.
Grout is porous and therefore absorbs liquids. Because of this, the reason you should not seal your tile grout is that the sealer's liquid chemicals combine with the grout to create a surface that is actually much more difficult to clean.
MAPEI offers Penetrating Plus Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer which is a water-based sealer and Penetrating Plus SB Stone & Porcelain Tile Sealer a solvent-based sealer. Let's be clear, sealing does not make grout stain or waterproof.
Although ceramic tile itself is very easy to clean, tile showers have grout lines that need to be maintained. Unless regularly sealed, they will be prone to mildew, cracking, and possible leaking.
One of the most common reasons for shower bases to start leaking is cracked tile grout and compromised sealants. Houses naturally expand and contract as the seasons change, and over time the grout between your tiles will begin to suffer.
Is it safe to use a leaking electric shower? No. Electricity and water are not compatible. If you notice any leaks in your electric shower, immediately turn off the power fuse and call professional plumbers.
Regrouting can be a worthwhile home improvement project that keeps your floors looking good as new. It makes your tiles more resistant to mould, prevents water from seeping behind the shower floors and walls, and ensures they have a longer life span.
Re-grouting is more affordable than retiling as far as bathroom flooring options go. This DIY project can be done in about four hours, which makes it much faster than retiling.
At this point you may wonder if a complete re-grout is necessary or if it would be possible to simply put new grout over old grout. The answer is, yes, it is possible to put new grout over old grout.
Faulty Shower Faucet
Leaking shower faucets are one of the most common causes of leaking showers. They can waste litres of water and disrupt your day with their nagging drip, drip, drip sound. Shower faucets are prone to degradation after years of regular use.
Empty several buckets of water into the shower, filling the base to the threshold, and wait. Water marks on the ceiling in a multi-story home or on the basement floor joists can appear after 15 minutes for a severe leak. But it may take up to eight hours for visible signs of a floor leak.
In our experience, sometimes, if you have plumbing leaks or a burst pipe, insurance may cover this, but it will depend on the policy and individual circumstances. Generally, insurance will not cover leaking showers caused by faulty, poor or noncompliant workmanship or where waterproofing has failed.
Loose tiles, mold growth, and crumbling are all key signs that your grout needs attention.