What To Do When Your Shower Starts Leaking

A leaky shower can be one of the most irritating problems for a homeowner. Not only may it cause water damage, but, left unresolved, it may indicate more serious plumbing or structural issues. Nothing ruins a day like a leaking shower, which can lead to stained walls, unwanted puddles, or mold, requiring costly repairs. Understanding the causes and how to fix them quickly is crucial. Bathroom builders in Melbourne can help prevent further damage and even keep your ensuite functional. Great ideas for renovating a small ensuite often begin with addressing these issues before they escalate.

Find out where the leak is coming from

The first thing you need to do when you see a leaking shower is determine where the water is coming from. The problem can be as simple as a bad showerhead or a dripping faucet in some cases. If the problem appears to originate from around the faucet or showerhead, check the loose connections or cracks in the parts. If it is the floor or the walls that are leaking this could be due to a tile, the grout or a plumbing behind a wall. The first thing you need to know is how did you get there – or if you want to know how to fix the problem.

Check the Grout and Caulking

A leaking shower is often caused by grout or caulking that is deteriorating. However, eventually, the grout between the tiles may crack, then caulking at the edges may become worn and water can work its way into the walls and floor. A simple way to help keep additional water damage at bay. Are you using your shower? Check the grout and caulking on edges and joints. If you spot any missing caulking or cracks, you should replace them immediately. Fine, but is using a grout sealer going to stop any future repairs? Take help from the expert or best bathroom builders in Melbourne

Examine the Plumbing Behind the Wall

If the fluid leaking is from the walls and the grout or caulking doesn’t seem to be the culprit, the problem might be with the plumbing inside of the wall. Water that can come through the walls can be the result of leaking pipes or some faulty connection behind the wall. For those situations, it’s important to call out a professional plumber to inspect the pipes, as repairing the problem could involve cutting into the wall to reach the plumbing. Untreated plumbing leakages can result in devastating water damage, structural concerns, and mildew development.

Consider Shower Waterproofing

However, if your shower is always leaking or if you live in a high-humidity area, shower waterproofing is a great long-term solution. A waterproofed shower prevents water from wicking into the walls, floor or ceiling and protects your bathroom from water damage. The walls and floors of the shower area can be made waterproof using waterproof membranes or sealants. As simple as it pays to pay attention to detail, there’s a lot of work that goes into doing some moulding yourself that if you’re not realistically skilled or comfortable, it’s best to simply hire a professional to do the job for you.

Check to see if these are signs of mould and mildew

A leaking shower is one of the consequences that is going to cause mould and mildew to start growing. Bathrooms are warm, damp environments and these fungi love them. Left unchecked, they can spread rapidly and cause health problems, as well as damage your home. Visible mould growing on your walls, grout or ceiling or if you smell a musty odour should be addressed as soon as you notice it. If you do have mould you can clean it with specialized cleaners, however, in some cases, you may need to purchase affected materials and replace them, such as tiles, drywall, or insulation.

Repairing the Leak

After deciding where the leak comes from, you have to repair the leak. Cracked grout, damaged caulking, and a leaking faucet are a few of the minor problems, with a few basic tools, that are easy to fix yourself. However, if it’s too serious such as plumbing leaks or damaged shower trays you may need to hire a professional for them. If you leave a leaking shower unfixed for long enough, the longer it goes the more damage it can create to your bathroom’s structure and the more expensive it will be for repairs.

Reason of Roof Leaks 

Just remember that a leaking shower might also cause water damage due to roof leaks if the water falls from the ceiling above the shower. Damaged shingles, clogged gutters or faulty flashing around the chimney, vents, and other areas, are common causes for roof leaks. Regularly inspecting your roof, should help prevent these leaks from seepage into your bathroom, where it can cause further damage.

Conclusion

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when a shower is leaking, but you have to act fast to stop more water damage. If you know the source of the water leak and move quickly, taking steps such as regrouting, replacing the shower tray, or waterproofing the area, then you’ll avoid costly repairs later on. If the above doesn’t work or the task seems too tough, feel free to call a bathroom specialist in Melbourne or a contractor to fix the problem. In most cases, a leaking shower is fast to remedy and can protect your bathroom and your home from the ruinous results of a leaky shower.