If you don’t get it sorted quickly a leaking shower can cause all sorts of damage to your home. Identifying exactly where and why your shower is leaking can be tricky – especially if the leak is behind the wall.

The worst thing you can do with a leak is ignore it because chances are it will only get worse and the first thing to do is stop using the shower until the problem is fixed. There are several ways a plumber can identify the source of a leak but that doesn’t mean you can’t do a bit of DIY investigating yourself first which could cost you extra labour time so here are a few things to consider before calling in the bathroom repair experts:

7 reasons why your shower could be leaking

1. Faulty shower head or tapware – Over time and with continuous use, tapware can become prone to leaking. While it could be a cartridge replacement you need, if that doesn’t do the trick you may be looking at a full replacement. Sometimes it’s as simple as needing to re-silicone behind the faceplate to create a fresh, watertight seal.
2. Damage to the acrylic shower tray – If the shower was installed without sufficient support underneath, cracks can appear. Small cracks will eventually become larger cracks as pressure is applied (i.e., by standing in the shower). Even a small amount of water leaking through can lead to mould, bad smells, and significant structural damage – this is a bathroom repair best handled sooner rather than later.
3. The shower waste has broken – This one can be hard to spot. If your shower is on an upper floor and there’s water damage on the ceiling below, it could point to a broken waste pipe. This is not a DIY fix – call a qualified plumber to investigate.
4. Silicone sealant issues – Tatty, peeling silicone is a clear sign that water could be getting in. Removing and refreshing the silicone is a great start and one of the cheaper bathroom maintenance options. It’s something you can do yourself, but only if you follow instructions carefully to avoid redoing it in six months.
5. Grouting issues – Grout isn’t waterproof. Over time it will absorb water, crack, or crumble away – letting moisture seep in. You should ideally regrout and reseal your shower tiles every eight years as part of regular bathroom maintenance.
6. The sealant on your tiles has worn away – Your tiled shower should have had a waterproof sealant applied when installed. Over time, this breaks down. If you have an older bathroom, resealing may be needed to keep the area watertight and avoid costly bathroom repairs later.
7. Pipe damage – Peeling paint or unusually damp walls around your shower can point to a leak behind the wall. Sometimes pests, nails, or other sharp objects pierce pipes, eventually causing rust and leaks. If left unchecked, this can lead to extensive damage.

If you think your leaky shower is beyond a DIY job, give us a call and one of our friendly plumbers can help with professional bathroom repair and maintenance. We follow a careful process of elimination to identify the issue and are often guided by your input to get started in the right place.