Leaking showers
Leaking shower? Start with where the water shows up.
Water on the bathroom floor, bubbling paint or a stain on the ceiling may be signs of a leaking shower, but they can have other causes. Where water becomes visible isn't always where the problem starts, so it's worth having it looked at. Paul has 25 years' experience with bathrooms and wet areas across Wollongong and the Illawarra.
NSW Licence 72413S · Licensed & insured · 25 years' experience
Where you might notice it
Five places and signs worth a closer look.
These are places and signs to look for, not a diagnosis. The cause can be somewhere else entirely, which is why it's worth having it checked.
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In the shower
Grout that's cracked or crumbling, silicone that has gone black or is lifting at the corners, or tiles that move. This is where wear is easiest to see.
Worth knowing: surface wear doesn't always mean water is getting through, and a leak doesn't always show here.
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Just outside the shower
Water left on the bathroom floor after a shower, or floor tiles near the shower that have started to lift or sound hollow.
Worth knowing: water outside the shower can come from more than one place, including how the shower is used.
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The wall beside or behind it
Bubbling or flaking paint, damp patches, or skirting boards and door frames in the next room that have swelled.
Worth knowing: this is often the first sign people notice, and it can appear some distance from the shower.
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The ceiling below
A stain or mark on the ceiling under an upstairs bathroom, especially one that grows or reappears.
Worth knowing: a ceiling stain doesn't confirm the shower is the source. Pipes and other fittings can cause similar marks.
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A smell or mould that keeps returning
A musty smell in the bathroom, or mould that comes back soon after cleaning, particularly low on the walls.
Worth knowing: ventilation plays a part too, so it's one clue among several.
Before you get in touch
A few notes make the first call easier.
You don't need to work out the cause. Noticing a few details helps Paul understand what's happening and what to look at.
Worth noting
- When it appears. Only after showers, after heavy use, or all the time.
- How long it's been there. And whether it's getting bigger.
- Photos. Close up and wide, including the room next door or below.
- The bathroom's history. Its rough age and any earlier repairs, if you know them.
Best avoided, if you can
- Covering it up first. Fresh silicone or paint over the mark can hide what needs to be seen.
- Waiting it out. Marks that keep growing are worth having checked sooner rather than later.
Where to go next
Find the right page for your situation.
“My shower was run down. My silicone and grout had gone black! I had Paul in to remove all the grout and silicone. It now looks as new, what a difference.”
Leaking shower FAQs
Questions about a leaking shower.
Not sure where to start? Paul is happy to talk it through.
Call 0432 685 338Does a stain on the ceiling mean my shower is leaking?
Not necessarily. Water can come from a shower, but also from pipes and other fittings, and it can travel before it shows. A mark that grows or comes back is worth having checked.
Will the tiles need to come up?
It depends on what's causing the problem, and that can't be known from a description alone. Paul will talk you through the options once he understands what's happening.
What should I send when I get in touch?
A few photos, close up and wide, plus where and when you've noticed the problem and how long it's been there. Your suburb helps too.
Where can I find more information about leaking-shower repairs?
You can explore repair information on Paul's dedicated Gaffneys Leaking Shower Repair website. Both websites list the same contact number, so you can call Paul on 0432 685 338 to discuss your shower.
How is this different from waterproofing?
Waterproofing is the membrane laid under the tiles when a wet area is built or renovated. This page is about noticing problems in an existing shower. See waterproofing.
Which areas do you cover?
Gaffneys is based in Wollongong and works across the Illawarra. Include your suburb when you get in touch and we'll let you know.
Tell us about your project
A quote request, not a booking. Paul will contact you to arrange next steps.
Request received
Thanks, we've got it.
Paul will review your details and contact you to talk about your project. This is not a confirmed appointment. If it's urgent, call 0432 685 338.