Avoiding Shower Cabin Leaks
Shower leaks are a common issue that can be a costly problem to fix if not addressed promptly. It is always advisable to have these issues assessed by a shower specialist.
Water leaks from your shower can cause damage to walls and ceilings, causing damp patches, loose tiles, displaced grout and mould. To avoid these expensive headaches you can prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Pipes
A leaky shower can compromise the subfloor and walls, ruin tiles and rack up water bills. Luckily, these are all avoidable with the right guidance and expertise.
Leaks in this area can be difficult to monitor as they are usually hidden behind the walls. However, you may notice stains on the wall or ceiling or even a musty smell in your home.
These leaks usually occur at the join between your shower tray and the wall or floor, a loose solder connection of the shower valve or the pipes or cracks in the pipework. If you can access the pipe-work, tightening or sealing can often fix these problems but a professional may be needed to replace the valve. In some cases the leaks may travel down the drain to the soil pipe and cause damage elsewhere in your home. In these instances, it would be wise to have an expert come in to investigate. These repairs can be quite complicated to fix.
Curbs
A curb is a small barrier that you step over to enter and exit your shower cubicle. They are typically only a few inches tall but play a critical role in ensuring water stays inside the shower cabin. They should be designed with a slight slant to encourage water that lands on top of it to run back into the shower.
Curbs should be checked during construction for line, grade and quality of finish. This is a very easy job for the construction supervisor and will help to avoid a problem down the line.
Leaks caused by a perished shower seal on the outside of the shower can be difficult to locate. They can leak through the flooring outside of the shower and down to the ceiling below. To help prevent this type of problem the use of a waterproof silicone caulking is recommended. It is also important to have a good vapour barrier. This will ensure that moisture does not penetrate the plasterboard and soak into the insulation below causing dampness.
Liner
The shower pan liner is a very important part of a modern bathroom. It is designed to eliminate the need for a curtain and also protects the walls from mold and mildew. It also adds a clean and stylish look to your bathroom. However, if it is not installed correctly then this can lead to leakage and other problems.
The pan liner must be laid above the floor base mortar and it should be turned up at all corners. It must be pressed firmly and the seams should be sealed. This is best done by a professional to avoid the common problems that can result from cutting corners.
If you suspect that you have a leak in your shower cabin then it is important to investigate the problem and find out where the water is coming from. Then you can take steps to prevent the problem from arising again. If you follow these simple tips then your shower will be safe and your bathroom will always be looking great.
Door
Sometimes shower leaks aren’t caused by anything to do with the shower itself. It could be as simple as people getting out of the shower dripping wet and then water leaking down through the ceiling below.
One thing to check if this is the case is whether the door sweep is intact or not. Depending on the model you have it may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Another common cause of a leaking shower door is the fact that the seal itself has worn down over time. To fix this simply re-seal the gap with caulk or sealing strips.
It can be difficult to find the source of a hidden leak so it’s always worth turning on the water and looking at where the water ends up. Once you know where the problem is it’s much easier to track down and fix. It will also save you money on water bills!
