How To Fix A Leaking Bath Or Leaking Shower

How To Fix A Leaking Bath or Fix A Leaking Shower

There are primarily three main reasons why a bath is leaking or a shower is leaking. You should check all of these things when it comes to working out why your bath or shower is leaking:

• Checking Whether Bath Or Shower Pipework Is Leaking

• Checking If Any Bathroom Tiling Is Cracked

• Checking Whether Your Bath Or Shower Tray Have Moved

Bath Or Shower Pipework Leaking

Check whether your bath or shower pipework is leaking by removing either a bath panel or the front of your shower tray. It is always wise when fitting a bath or shower tray to remember to ensure you fit an access trap of some type for situations such as this.

Run the bath tap or shower very gently and put a cloth under the waste trap in the shower tray or beneath the waste trap in the bath to see if water escapes between the shower trap or bath trap and onto the cloth below. If water is escaping, replace the shower trap or bath trap. Remember to use quality bath traps or shower traps when replacing bathroom plumbing fitments to avoid future problems wherever possible. Also remember to use a quality silicone sealant to form a waterproof seal to act as a first line of defence should your bath trap or shower trap on your shower tray.

Bathroom Tiling Has Cracked

Check the bathroom tiling around the edges of the bath or shower tray. Often a bath or shower tray may have moved and left a small area of escape between the shower tray or bath and the wall. If you find that a tile has cracked, remove the bathroom wall tile and replace it as soon as possible. Whenever tiling takes place in a bathroom it is always wise to ensure that you over-order tiles, again for situations such as this. You may find that your tiles last for many years, much longer than the bathroom tile shop will stock your favourite tiles, so it is always good DIY practice to ensure you have a box of tiles spare for the future.

If water has ingressed into the wall or plasterboard, remove the tile and allow the wall to dry out. If the plasterboard is damaged you may have to remove more tiles, remove a piece of plasterboard, replace it and then retile over the new plasterboard.

Checking Whether Your Bath Or Shower Tray Has Moved

If you find during your investigation into a leaking bath or leaking shower tray, that your bath or shower tray has moved slightly, you may need to resecure the bath or shower tray. Over time baths and shower trays can move simply due to wear and tear (or bad workmanship). If your bath or shower tray has adjustable legs, try adjusting these slightly to see if you can get a firmer seal between the bath and the tiles or the shower tray and the tiles. You may need to fit a small piece of timber below your shower tray or bath if there are no adjustable legs, or the adjustable legs are at full capacity.

Once you have adjusted your bath or shower tray, remember to use a good quality, waterproof silicone sealant to create a watertight seal around the edge of your shower tray or bath.

If you would rather not DIY your leaking bath or leaking shower tray, why not Find a tradesman using our free tradesman quotes services.