Home » Our plumber in Bayside explains the causes of a leaking shower

Our plumber in Bayside explains the causes of a leaking shower

Drip, drip, drip. 

So you’ve got a shower leak.

Not only is it frustrating; it’s a huge waste of water too.

However, that isn’t all that can occur as a result of a shower leak.

In addition to a faulty showerhead, there are other, less-common types of shower leaks out there that can leave you with major structural damage!

The good news is that homeowners like you don’t need to get used to leaky showers! 

A leak, especially in your showers, is no joke.  If you suspect a shower leak, then you need the skills and expertise of a plumber in Bayside who can identify the cause and create the right fix for you.

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Signs of a leaking shower

The first step towards figuring out that you have a shower leak is detecting it.

Luckily, this particular issue isn’t like other plumbing problems which require diving into the guts of your plumbing to uncover – all you have to do is listen out!

Of course, not all shower leaks are quite so obvious. If the leak is happening inside your walls rather than at the showerhead, you might not detect the issue until some damage has been done.

To catch these particular leaks, you’ll want to watch out for these tell-tale signs:

  • Wet and smelly plaster
  • Paint bubbles on walls
  • Black and dirty silicone 
  • Visible gaps in floor and wall joints
  • Buckling floors
  • Watermarks on the ceiling

If you notice these issues, you may have a leak… just not a visible one!

What exactly causes of a leaking shower, anyway?

There are many causes of a leaking shower. To properly get to the heart of the issue requires the professional insights of a plumber in Bayside.

To give you an idea of just how many issues can arise, we’re going to quickly run through some of the most common causes.

Faulty showerheads

If we’re going to talk leaks, we may as well start with the most obvious source!

One of the most common causes of a leak is a worn-out showerhead.

Naturally, it’s also the first place you’ll want to check if you suspect a leak.

By installing a new replacement showerhead, you won’t just fix the leaking problem – water-saving showerheads are now the standard in Australia.

You’ll also save a bunch of money in the process!

Of course, said installation still needs to be carried out by a professional plumber in Bayside.

It’s the only way to ensure that everything is properly waterproofed, and that your replacement showerhead doesn’t also end up leaking.

Cracks in tile grout

Yep, you heard us right!

Not all leaks are obvious, nor are they contained to your shower cubicle either.

Case in point: tile and grout-related leaks.

Over time, cracks can develop in the grout between your shower tiles. This can allow moisture to seep through (and that’s on top of grout’s natural porous quality).

If the waterproof backing layer underneath your tiles and grout are not up to scratch, this water will leak through the cracks in your grout, leading to water getting into the walls or underneath your shower.

Over time, this can promote mould and mildew growth, as well as rot in your walls and support beams.

Usually, it’s possible to fix this issue by redoing the grout in your shower cubicle. If enough water has gotten through however, a more substantial repair may be required.

Sometimes, this is the result of wear-and-tear. In others, it’s the result of temperature and moisture changes, which cause the walls to contract and expand, causing structural movement of the tiled wall and the floor of the shower.

This structural movement creates a gap between the wall and the floor, causing the weakening and cracking of the tile grout resulting in pipe and leak problems.

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Pipe problems

As with all fixtures in the house, your shower is supplied by a series of pipes, valves and connectors. Issues with any of these may result in leaks.

For example, say a supply pipe cracks due to water pressure. Alternatively, a connector starts coming loose.

In both of these cases, you’ll have a leak.

Worse, you won’t be able to see it either – water will build up inside your walls, damaging plaster, beams and facilitating mould growth.

The only way to fix these is to cut open your walls and fix the affected pipe, valve or connector.

A professional plumber in Bayside can seal the affected pipes, or replace them altogether if they’re beyond repair.

Trouble with a leaking shower? Call our plumbers in Bayside!

Our plumbers in Bayside can fix all sorts of leaks, and not just the easy, visible ones like a loose washer.

Our experienced plumbing team have the intricate knowledge and know-how to tackle all kinds of plumbing woes. We can identify (and fix) many of these less-common types of shower leaks.

Need emergency plumbing repairs? Contact our local plumbers today. 

Give us a call on  1300 156 650 or get in touch online for effective and professional plumbing services for your home. 

You can also visit us for commercial plumber in Melbourne: pop into our headquarters at 9/22 George St Sandringham, VIC 3191, if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

2021-01-25T08:35:21+00:00 November 27th, 2019|Blog|