Shower Repairs.Done Right.

Shower problems we fix

Dripping shower heads, leaking taps, weak flow, uneven spray, a diverter that will not switch, a shower that stays cold or runs too hot, slow drains and leaks that appear in the ceiling below are all common shower faults. Some are simple. Others point to problems behind the wall.

Where shower leaks come from

Leaks can come from the tap, the shower arm, the hose, a cracked tile joint, a failed waterproof membrane or the waste. Fixing the visible drip may not fix the cause of damp elsewhere. A plumber can narrow it down by testing the water supply and the waste separately.

Shower heads, hoses and rails

A shower head with an uneven spray often has scale in the nozzles. Soaking in a descaling solution may help, but worn heads are cheap to replace. Hoses crack and rails loosen over time. Check the flow rating label, since the right rating gives a better shower on your pressure.

Mixers and diverters

If the shower is hard to control, runs cold or will not divert between head and bath spout, the cartridge or diverter may be worn. These parts can often be replaced without changing the whole mixer.

Water pressure and temperature complaints

A shower that is weak or fluctuates may be affected by scale, a blocked filter, a faulty pressure valve or the hot water system. Compare hot and cold, and check whether other taps are affected. See our low water pressure page.

Behind the wall and the waterproofing

If water is getting through tile joints into the wall or floor, the waterproof membrane may have failed. Repair is more than plumbing and can involve a waterproofer and tiler. Do not delay, because hidden water damages timber and encourages mould.

Waste and drainage under the shower

A shower that drains slowly may have hair and soap in the trap or a partial blockage further down. Cleaning the grate helps. If it returns, a plumber can clear the waste and check the pipe fall.

Shower screens, seals and rental showers

Worn seals let water out onto the floor. If you rent, report leaks in writing, since a leaking shower can become an urgent repair if it causes damage. See our rental property plumbing page.

Questions people ask about shower repairs

Why is my shower leaking into the room below?

Common causes are a failed membrane, a cracked tile joint or a leaking waste. A plumber can test which.

Can I replace a shower head myself?

Often yes for a simple screw-on head. Leaks at the wall connection are better left to a plumber.

Is a leaking shower urgent?

If water is damaging the floor or ceiling, treat it as urgent and turn the shower off.

How long does a repair take?

Simple repairs can be quick. Membrane or tile work takes longer.

Repair, regrout or rebuild: how to decide

A dripping head or a worn cartridge is a plumbing repair and is usually quick. Cracked grout or a failed silicone seal is a surface repair that stops water entering, but it does not fix a membrane that has already failed. A shower where water has reached the wall lining, shows mould or has lifted tiles generally needs the tiles removed and the waterproofing redone. Ask the plumber what they found, and what each option will fix and what it will leave.

A repair should deal with the cause, not only the symptom. Water that has been escaping for months will not stop because a seal has been replaced.

Testing a shower for leaks

A plumber can test the supply by closing off the shower and watching the meter, test the waste by blocking it and filling the tray, and test the walls by wetting the tile joints only. Testing each part separately tells you whether the leak is a pipe, the waste or the waterproofing. Ask for the result of each test, since it shows whether the repair needs a plumber, a waterproofer or both.

Using the shower while you wait

If a shower leaks into a room below or a wall, stop using it until it is checked. If the leak is slow and the shower is the only one in the house, use it briefly and dry the floor and joints after each use. Tell your insurer or landlord early and keep dated photos, because hidden water damage grows.

Leaking shower: is it the tap, the screen or the waterproofing

Water on the bathroom floor does not always mean a plumbing leak. It can come from a worn door seal, a gap in the screen, failed grout or silicone, or a faulty waste. Plumbing leaks behind the wall show as damp walls, stained ceilings below or a shower that leaks even when it is not used. A simple test is to cover the screen and run the shower, then run it without the screen in place to see where water escapes.

A waterproofing fault is not a plumber's repair alone. It may need a waterproofer, so ask what the plumber can see and what needs another trade.

Shower heads, mixers and pressure

A shower that sprays unevenly usually has scale in the head, which can be soaked in vinegar and cleaned. A mixer that is hard to turn or will not hold temperature often has a worn cartridge. A shower with weak flow may point to a blocked filter, a restricted valve or a pressure problem in the house.

If the temperature swings when someone flushes a toilet or runs a tap, tell the plumber, as it can be a balance or valve problem.

Related plumbing services

• Leaking Taps: Dripping taps fixed with new washers, cartridges or full replacement.
• Tap and Mixer Installation: New kitchen, bathroom and laundry taps and mixers fitted properly.
• Toilet Repairs and Installation: Running, leaking and faulty toilets repaired, plus new toilet installation.
• Sink and Basin Plumbing: Leaking and slow-draining sinks, basins and traps repaired or replaced.
• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.