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Leaking showers are a common problem in bathrooms and, in our experience, they are one of the main reasons people end up embarking on their bathroom renovation adventure. It may seem a little excessive to decide on a full bathroom renovation because of a leaky shower, however that little leak can sometimes prove to be far more of a problem than it seems.
It might not seem like much on the surface, but it can be a very different story underneath. In many old Newcastle houses that have their original bathroom, it is entirely possible that a waterproof membrane has not been applied in the shower area. It may be that the bathroom of your older Newcastle home has been a renovated or repaired previously, and a waterproof membrane applied, however it is possible that this may have been damaged or degraded over the years.
In newer houses, splits in silicone joints, cracks in tiles and holes in grout can damage the waterproof membrane under the tiles or shower tub and lead to water infiltration in floors and walls. This can assist the growth of mould and bacteria, cause problems with rising damp, attract termites and result in serious problems with wood rot in floors and walls.
Pest infestation and wood rot can easily spread and, if not identified and repaired quickly, can significantly affect the structural integrity of your home. Not only is this kind of damage extremely costly to fix, with repair bills potentially running into the thousands, it is not usually covered by home insurance, meaning out of pocket expenses can be huge.
If you have found that your shower is leaking, we recommend you have it assessed and repaired as soon as possible. Trust us, taking early action to have the problem investigated, and to repair the leak and any existing damage, can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Shane, head builder at Novocastrian Bathroom Solutions, has been in the building industry and bathroom design business for many years, and has seen firsthand the damage that a leaking shower can cause – and how expensive repairs can become when problems are ignored, or repairs are put off.
A leaking shower may only require a simple repair, however if the shower has been leaking for some time and water has been leaking beneath the floor or behind wall tiles, the unseen damage may be extensive. If this is the case, larger scale repairs may be necessary.
Leaking shower repairs could involve re-waterproofing or re-tiling, or the replacement of the shower floor. It is even possible that, where the leak has gone unnoticed for some time, your entire bathroom may be affected. If there is water intrusion in the walls and floor that has caused damage to the frame of your home, or rotting timber flooring, a carpenter may be needed to help with the repairs.
Contact a reputable builder, such as Shane, and have them come out to your home, inspect your leaking shower, and perform a thorough visual assessment of the area or damage.
