Leaking shower repair
Leaking Shower Repairs in Wollongong
Most leaking showers come down to a failed seal, joint or membrane you can't see. We find exactly where the water is getting out, then fix it properly, without lifting tiles where the shower allows it.
- 25+ yearson wet areas
- Free quoteno obligation
- LocalIllawarra & South Coast
The warning signs
Signs Your Shower May Be Leaking
A leaking shower rarely announces itself. Water works its way under the tiles and into walls and floors, and the first clues often turn up somewhere else entirely.
- Cracked, missing or crumbling groutGaps in the grout let water straight under the tiles.
- Black, peeling or lifting siliconeCorners, the hob and the screen line fail first.
- Loose or hollow-sounding tilesOften a sign that water is sitting underneath.
- Water on the floor outside the showerPooling past the hob or screen after every shower.
- Swollen skirting boards or door framesTimber next to a wet area soaks water up and swells.
- Damp or bubbling paint on the other sideThe wall behind the shower often shows it first.
- Stains on the ceiling belowIn upstairs bathrooms, the room underneath gives it away.
- A musty smell or mould that keeps returningMoisture trapped in the wall or floor keeps feeding it.
Noticed two or more? It's worth a look before the damage spreads. Send us a photo
Diagnosis first
Finding the Leak Comes Before Fixing It.
Where the water shows up is rarely where it gets in. A stain in the hallway can start at the screen line. Damp under a vanity can start at the waste. Siliconing over whatever looks worst might hide the problem for a while, but the leak keeps going underneath.
So before we recommend anything, we work out the actual path the water is taking.
Where we look
- 01
Grout and silicone joints
Cracks, gaps and failed seals, especially in the corners and along the screen.
- 02
The hob and screen line
Where water most often escapes the shower itself.
- 03
Tiles and the bed underneath
Loose or hollow tiles, and whether water is sitting below them.
- 04
The waste and the floor falls
How water gets to the drain, and whether all of it does.
- 05
Tap and mixer penetrations
Gaps where pipes come through the wall behind the tiles.
- 06
The waterproof membrane
Whether the layer under the tiles is still doing its job.
One of our checks
The water test
We block the drain, fill the shower base with water up to the hob, and watch the level. If it drops, water is getting out somewhere it shouldn't, and that tells us where to look next.
Repair options
The Right Repair Depends on What's Causing It.
Once we know where the water is going, the fix is usually one of these, or a combination. We'll explain what we found and what we recommend before any work starts.
- 01
Resealing and silicone replacement
Old silicone is cut out completely, the joints are cleaned and dried, and new silicone goes in at the corners, the hob and along the screen.
Usually suitsLeaks at the corners, the hob or around the screen.
TilesTiles stay in place
- 02
Regrouting
Failed grout is raked out and replaced. On shower floors we recommend epoxy grout, which is far less porous than standard cement grout, and the new grout is sealed to help it last.
Usually suitsCracked, missing or mouldy grout that lets water under the tiles.
TilesTiles stay in place
- 03
Targeted repairs
A repair aimed at one clear failure point: a leaking hob, a gap around a mixer or pipe, a failed joint at the waste, or one problem area.
Usually suitsA leak traced to a single, specific source.
TilesUsually stay, a few may be lifted
- 04
Tile-related repairs
Loose, cracked or hollow tiles are lifted, the bed underneath is repaired, and tiles are relaid or replaced as closely matched as possible.
Usually suitsMovement, or water sitting under part of the floor or wall.
TilesOnly the affected tiles
- 05
Waterproofing
When the membrane itself has failed, the shower is stripped back, a new waterproof membrane is applied, and the area is retiled.
Usually suitsLeaks through a failed or missing membrane.
TilesRemoved and replaced
Not sure which repair you need? That's our job. Send a few photos and we'll tell you what we think.
Send PhotosFrom the job file
Real Showers, Repaired Properly.
Grout that has cracked, stained or gone black stops keeping water out long before it looks this bad. New grout, sealed, is often the first step in stopping a slow leak.
The same shower floor, before and after new grout and sealing. Drag to compare.
Grout and silicone breaking down 
Membrane on before retiling 
Retiled, with a new hob
Years of Fixing Showers Across the Illawarra.
Gaffneys has been repairing leaking showers in Wollongong and along the South Coast for more than 25 years. Paul makes sure every job is done properly and to a high standard, so it doesn't need doing twice.
- Leaking showers are our main work, not a sideline
- Licensed and insured
- Free, no-obligation quotes
They re-waterproofed our shower and they did a great job. The guys were all professional and cleaned up after themselves. The shower looks great. I definitely recommend them.
What Happens After You Get in Touch
No guesswork and no surprises. You'll know what's wrong and what it costs before any work starts.
Talk to Paul0432 685 338- 01
Send photos or give us a call
Tell us what you're seeing. A few photos of the shower and any damage nearby help Paul understand the problem before he visits.
- 02
Inspection and diagnosis
We look at the shower in person and trace where the water is going. The inspection and quote are free, with no obligation.
- 03
A clear recommendation and quote
You'll hear what's causing the leak, what we recommend and what it will cost, before any work begins.
- 04
The repair
We carry out the agreed repair and leave the bathroom clean and tidy.
- 05
Back in use
After resealing or regrouting you can usually use the shower again after 12 to 24 hours. We'll confirm the exact time for your repair on the day.
Leaking Shower Repairs Across the Illawarra
We're based in the Illawarra and work on showers across Wollongong every week, from the northern suburbs down through Shellharbour and Kiama. We also cover the wider South Coast, from Cronulla to Nowra, and the Southern Highlands.
Leaking Shower Questions
The questions we're asked most about leaking showers. Can't see yours? Call us or send a photo.
Ask us about your showerCan you fix a leaking shower without removing the tiles?
Sometimes, yes. If the waterproof membrane under the tiles is still sound and water is getting in through failed grout or silicone, the leak can often be stopped by regrouting and resealing, without lifting the tiles.
If the membrane has failed, a surface repair won't last, and the tiles need to come up so it can be replaced. We'll tell you which applies to your shower, and why, before you commit to anything.
How do I know where my shower is leaking from?
Often you can't tell from the outside. Water travels under tiles and along floors before it shows, so a stain in the hallway can start at the screen line and damp under a vanity can start at the waste.
We check the grout, silicone, hob, tiles, waste and pipe penetrations, and use tests such as filling the shower base with the drain blocked to see whether the level drops.
Will new silicone fix my leaking shower?
Only if the silicone is the actual problem. Failed silicone at the corners, hob or screen is a common cause, but if water is getting in through the grout, around a mixer or through a failed membrane, new silicone on its own won't stop it for long.
Is a leaking shower urgent?
It's rarely an emergency like a burst pipe, but it shouldn't wait. Water getting into the wall or floor can damage timber, plaster and paint and encourages mould, and the longer it goes on, the bigger the repair tends to become.
How much does a leaking shower repair cost?
It depends on what's causing the leak and what the repair involves, which is why we inspect first. The inspection and quote are free, and you'll know the cost before any work starts. Sending a few photos through the form helps us give you an idea sooner.
How soon can I use the shower after the repair?
After resealing or regrouting, usually after 12 to 24 hours. Waterproofing and retiling take longer. We'll give you the timing for your repair with the quote and confirm it on the day.
What should I do until it's repaired?
Dry any water outside the shower after each use and keep an eye on nearby walls, skirting and the ceiling below. If water is clearly escaping or the damage is spreading, it's best to stop using that shower until it's been looked at.
Do you repair leaking showers in my area?
We repair leaking showers across Wollongong and the Illawarra, including Corrimal, Woonona, Bulli, Figtree, Dapto, Albion Park, Oak Flats, Shellharbour, Shell Cove and Kiama, and along the South Coast from Cronulla to Nowra and the Southern Highlands.
Send Us a Few Photos of the Problem.
Photos of the shower and any damage nearby show Paul what he's dealing with before he calls you back.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Send photos so we can come prepared
- 25+ years of local wet-area experience
