Australian homeowners commonly have problems with their showers. One of the problems is shower leaks. If ignored, shower leaks can cause water damage, growth of mold, and costly repairs. We spoke with [The Grout Guy Sydney] about common causes of leaking showers and how to prevent them. Their staff indicated that most leaks start small, but escalate faster than most homeowners would think. The best way to protect your home is to avoid the need for costly repairs due to water damage to your home’s structure.
Main Causes Of Leaking Showers in Australia
Broken Grout and Silicone
In the humid climate of Australian bathrooms, some materials like grout and silicone lose their integrity with time. Grout can go from being protective to porous, and water can start to seep through, while silicone can peel, crack, or slip from the intended surfaces. When these protective materials fail, water bypasses them and soaks into the substrate, leading to leaks behind walls and floors.
Broken and Missing Floor Tiles
A broken or missing floor tile may not look like much, though not looking like much, it certainly leads water to trickle where it shouldn’t. Missing tiles and broken tiles sound dull or drumming and indicate loss of adhesion and moisture is now moving freely somewhere below the floor. Cracked tiles from temperature changes, structural adjustments, and shifting buildings are common in Australian households.
Leaking Showers
Below the tiles in a shower, there is a membrane that remains waterproof, the membrane is your shower’s primary defense against not getting a floor leak. When the membrane fails, due to aging, building movement, or poor workmanship, leaks are able to spread quickly. Sydney area houses frequently experience these leaks if the bathroom is from an older reno, as older bathrooms were built using poor waterproofing methods.
Showers in Australian Homes
Older homes in Sydney are often dealing with building movement due to coastal moisture, older construction methods, and seasonal humidity, all of which makes these homes vulnerable. Many of these households rely on specialists like The Grout Guy which focuses on expert diagnosis tailored to these conditions and provides long-term solutions.
Identifying A Leaking Shower
Early Warning Signs
If you know what to look for, spotting a leaking shower early is easy. Some common warning signs to investigate further are:
– Swollen or damp baseboards
– Tiles that are loose or discolored
– Bubbling paint on any walls nearby
– A persistent odor of mold or mildew
– Water that pools outside the shower after every use
These signs are important to catch before more serious issues arise.
Basic Guide for Homeowners To Inspect Bathrooms
If you suspect a shower leak, start by examining the grout lines for any cracks or gaps that could lead to discolored patterns, mildew buildup, mold, or slowly rotting walls. Make sure to run your hands along the walls to determine if there are any soft spots, especially near the bottom of the wall. Pay close attention to any adjacent areas such as adjacent restrooms and bedrooms to see if there are damp carpets, stained walls or if any carpets are showing signs of damage or warping.
Preventing Shower Leaks
Performing Regular Maintenance
Maintenance is your first line of defense against damage caused by leaks in your bathroom. Make sure you re-grout every few years, replace any worn silicone quickly, and inspect the tiles for any loose or shifted tiles. A rapid maintenance check every few months can go a long way in preventing shower leaks and avoiding extensive damage.
Things to Remember when Caring for Natural Stone Showers
Travertine, marble, and slate are types of natural stone. Shower surfaces made of these materials are lovely and aesthetic, but they are more porous than ceramic. Stone can be imprinted by water and soap that become absorbed if the stone is unsealed. This can lead to deterioration, staining, and moisture issues behind the surface. Many homeowners in Australia don’t even know that stone showers need ongoing sealing to stay protected.
Natural Stone Sealers of Quality
When it comes to natural stone sealer, leaks are a significant concern. Quality sealers help keep moisture out, improve stain resistance, and protect the stone for many years. Crommelin is a strong name in Australia for sealers, and their Diamond Coat Stone Sealer is ideal for protecting natural stone in wet applications. A sealer of this strength prevents moisture from being absorbed by the stone, and protects the waterproofing on the other side from being compromised.
How Often to Reseal in Australian Conditions
It is necessary to understand how Australian conditions affect how quickly sealers can wear down. Due to Australia’s warm climate, constructive shower use, and hard water, sealers wear down in no time. This injury is evident to showers made of natural stones, which require resealings every 12 to 18 months. Also, showers that get heavily used or showers located in coastal homes which bring about greater rainfall will require sealers to get added even more frequently. One of the most simple ways homeowners can recognize when resealing is due is by performing a water-test. This involves sprinkling water on the stone and checking to see whether it darkens or not.
When to Call the Professionals
Signs That DIY Won’t Fix the Issue
These issues do require the attention of renovation professionals even if most people are confident attempting DIY and they’re even minor issues like regrouting or sealing.
Please get in contact with a specialist if you see:
– Cracks extensively running through the lines of the grout
– Numerous hollow or loose tiles
– Smells which are damp and chronic even after a clean has been performed
– Water damage which is quick and recognizable in adjacent spaces
– Mould which is evident and growing behind tiles
Membrane failure or structural moisture are the most likely culprits behind these signs and they are usually the source of much bigger problems.
Problems Solved by Professional Services
As a The Grout Guy Sydney shower repair professional works, he checks the condition of the membrane, inspects the tiles, and determines if the grout and silicone need to be replaced and of what quality. Waterproofing restorations can be performed by specialists without removing the tiles. Shower repair experts quickly and easily restore waterproofing without destructive inspection and demolition. Tailored services offered by Australian bathroom repair specialists provide a solution to immediately change the symptoms and the source of the problem.
Conclusion
Australian homes with showers can be leak-proof if the showers can be maintained, leaks detected and sealed, and the sealers are applied over surfaces, particularly natural stone, appropriately. When the source of the leaks is known and quality products, like Crommelin, stone sealer is used, the stone showers can be shower protected as well. A professional repair service has been proven to demonstrate sustained results long past the point of basic DIY enhanced care of the shower. Careful attention to problem planning will prevent leaks and promote a healthier bathroom environment.
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