How To Fix A Leaking Shower


A leaking shower cubicle, if left unchecked, will cause extensive damage to your house and to your bank balance. Leaking shower cubicles can also damage your health because they lead to a build up of mould and mildew. The expensive damage caused by the leak can migrate via ceilings and walls to other rooms in the house. For all of these reasons, it is important to know how to spot a leak and how to tackle it on time.

What Causes A Shower Cubicle Leak?

Shower leaks are most commonly caused by the following problems: incorrect shower tray or shower door installation; worn out caulking or sealant; and broken tiles. As well as spotting a pool of water spread across your floor, a leaking shower can also be detected by the appearance of discolouration on the bathroom walls or on the ceiling of the room below the shower.

Leaking Tray

When a shower tray is installed it should be fixed to the tiles and not to the wall. If your shower tray is installed incorrectly this could be causing a leak behind the shower tray. To fix this, you will need to remove the tiles, treat the wall for dampness, retile the wall and reinstall the tray so that is attached to the tiles. Before you go ripping up your shower tray however, make sure that it isn’t a simple sealant issue.

Silicone sealant is used to join the shower tray to the tiles. After a few years this sealant can wear away or loosen. If you need to replace the sealant, use a razor or a scraper to remove old sealant. Put masking tape over the drain so that the scrapings don’t go down the drain. When you have finished removing the old sealant, clean and dry the tiles. Apply the new sealant so that it is approximately 10mm thick when applied.

Leaking Door

Sometimes water can leak through your shower door or around the door frame. A leaking shower door is generally caused by faulty seals. Check the rubber or vinyl seals on the door to see if they have come loose. If they are old, you may need to replace them. If your shower door is on tracks, clean the tracks with an old toothbrush and check that there are no gaps through which the water can escape.

If the leak is still persisting, check the area between the door frame and the tiles. Water can seep through cracked tiles and worn out grout. If you notice any broken tiles or old grout you should replace them.

Still Leaking?

If your shower cubicle is still leaking, it may be an issue with the pipes. If this is the case you will need to call in a professional plumber.

Leaking Shower Head

While you are studying your shower cubicle for leaks, you might as well take the opportunity to fix that dripping shower head. First, use a wrench to unscrew the shower head from the pipe. Take the rubber gasket out of the shower head (the gasket is a small black rubber ring). If the gasket leaves black residue on your fingers when you touch it, then it needs to be replaced. Put a new gasket in to the shower head and wrap some plumbing tape around the threads of the pipe. Use the wrench to tighten the shower head back on to the pipe but don’t over-tighten it. If the shower head still drips you need to use the wrench to tighten it further.

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This article was written by Jenna Crotty who recommends for shower cublicles.