The three major concerns that people have when they find out their shower is leaking are:
- How much will it cost to fix?
- Has my property suffered any damage?
- Do I need to remove tiles to repair my leaking shower?
Whether or not your tiles need to be removed depends on where the leak is coming from.
Most leaks are caused by building movement, which causes the tiles, grout or silicone to disintegrate. However, you should not jump to conclusions until you know that is the exact problem, or else you waste time and money focusing on the wrong issue.
Fortunately, there is a simple test you can do to find the source of the leak.
The Hob Test
The purpose of the hob test is to find out if water is escaping from the shower.
For this test, you must apply duct tape to the shower drain and fill the shower hob with water. Once you’ve reached the top of the hob, mark it with tape and wait at least 20 minutes to see if the water level drops.
If so, then water has likely escaped through a broken tile or grout. If not, the leak could be coming from elsewhere, and you should have a plumber inspect the pipes to find any leaks in the internal plumbing.
Luckily, there are ways to repair your leaking shower without the need to remove any tiles.
DIY or Professional?
Once you’ve found the source of the problem, you can either try to repair your leaking shower yourself or hire an expert to do the job.
The DIY route can save you money, if you know how to fix the problem correctly. But a poor maintenance job will cause you a lot of frustration, and allow the current water damage to get even worse – which’ll cost you even more money to repair!
If you’re not the sharpest tradie on the block, there’s no shame in getting a waterproofing expert to fix your leaking shower.
Why Choose a Waterproofing Expert
In most cases, a professional service can repair a leaking shower without the need to remove tiles.
Unlike replacing the waterproof membrane (which can take up to a week), the job only takes 2-4 hours and the area can be used the next day. Most importantly, you get peace of mind with a 12-month guarantee to protect you from further leaks.
To inspect the shower, a waterproof technician will use a special leak detector and thermal image camera to accurately diagnose the source of the leak. From there, they will replace any broken tiles, regrout the floor and joints, and completely reseal the shower surface with a powerful sealant to establish a waterproof barrier.
One thing you cannot buy with a DIY approach is peace of mind. Most professional services offer a workmanship guarantee that protects you from the risk of water leakage. If the shower leaks again within the warranty period, it won’t cost you anything to fix the problem.
Do you need a professional to repair your leaking shower? Shower Sealed can get the job done without removing ANY tiles. Call Shower Sealed on 1300 519 133 to request a FREE quote today!
