Is the grout within your shower cracked or moldy? If so, your shower is probably leaking.
An untreated leaking shower can cause significant damage to your health and home. Once moisture enters the substructure of your property, it can be a catalyst for unwanted mold, which can not only damage the structure of your property but lead to serious health conditions and attract unwanted pests.
To effectively regrout a shower, you firstly need to locate the cause of the leak.
The Main Causes of a Leaking Shower
There are 4 main reasons that you will need to regrout a shower. Once you have located the cause of your leaking shower, you’ll need to find a long-term solution to fix the problem.
Grout and/or Silicone
Cracked grout or silicone is the most common cause of a leaking shower. In most cases, mold will start to form near the cracks, a telltale sign that they are leaking and potentially causing damage to the area behind the wall.
As not all leaks are visible to the naked eye, a moisture meter should be used to accurately locate any leaks within the walls and recess of a shower. This invaluable piece of equipment is designed to detect residual water or moisture within the walls, bricks, timber, and tiles.
Once the leaks have been identified, the old grout should be removed. This can be achieved using various tools, from a diamond-tipped blade right through to an electric rotary. The grout should be removed to a sufficient depth at which the cracks are no longer present.
Following this, the areas should be prepared and finally injected with epoxy grout. ePoxy grout is a far superior option to standard grout and offers a long-lasting solution that is 100% waterproof.
In most cases, there is no need to remove the tiles when repairing the grout or silicone.
Lastly, you should avoid using the shower for a minimum of 48 hours to allow the grout to dry.
Shower Heads & Taps
Leaking showerheads or taps are also a common occurrence in Perth homes.
In many cases, the leaks are caused by damaged valves, which are relatively easy to replace. Many YouTube videos provide detailed instructions on how to replace a damaged valve.
Alternatively, if the head or tap is damaged beyond repair, it will need to be replaced with a new unit.
Shower Screens
Cracks or perforations to the silicone between your shower screen and recess can also cause leaks and be a molded catalyst.
A specialized knife should be used to remove the faulty silicone, and then the area should then be prepared and cleaned before new silicone is applied and left to dry.
In extreme cases, the shower screen may be cracked or damaged, and a new screen will need to be installed.
DIY or Engage a Professional?
Although some leaking showers can be fixed with a DIY solution, in most cases, it is best practice to engage the services of an experienced regrouting or plumbing company.
ePoxy Grout Worx
ePoxy Grout Worx is a certified installer of industry-leading Mapei Kerapoxy Grout. This superior solution is slip-resistant, highly effective on indoor and outdoor applications, and accompanied by a 25-year product warranty.
