My Shower Is Leaking, Please Help

SuperMick on 15/02/2021 - 18:37
Last edited 15/02/2021 - 19:34

We have a shower made of plastic. The back of the shower is leaking at the side and bottom, and the water goes into the wall, which is made from some type of plasterboard
I need to know how to reseal the shower sides and back. If you can help, could you also tell me the tradename of the product, that I should be using.
Thankyou

Home & Garden

Comments

  • PissLUR on 15/02/2021 - 18:40
    +37

    call a plumber?

  • salrock on 15/02/2021 - 18:41
    +18

    Call a plumber ?

  • unco on 15/02/2021 - 18:42
    +29

    Call a plumber.jpg

  • kusama on 15/02/2021 - 18:45
    +12

    Mario.gif

    • WaterMark on 18/02/2021 - 13:17

      Mario is busy with princess peach. Maybe try Luigi. He might be cheaper.

  • Godric on 15/02/2021 - 18:47
    +3

    Cutecat.JPG

  • AndyC1 on 15/02/2021 - 18:47
    +4

    Call bunnings Shower.JPG department at 7AM in the morning for help.

  • Mike88 on 15/02/2021 - 18:47
    +19

    Call an electrician

  • spackbace on 15/02/2021 - 18:49
    +8

    and the water goes into the wall

    Get a professional in

    Don't forget to show them Shower.JPG and Shower 1.JPG. Careful of the partial nudity in them tho

    • SuperMick on 15/02/2021 - 19:15
      +2

      Can you help with the photos please, I have never put a photo up before.

  • buckethat on 15/02/2021 - 18:50
    +4

    Try blutack

    • elgrande on 15/02/2021 - 19:18

      .png or .bmp?

      • iDroid on 15/02/2021 - 19:58

        .mpg

  • Drakesy on 15/02/2021 - 18:52
    +8

    Sounds like you need a tiler or waterproofer/plumber

    Best bet though for diagnosis would be a plumber.jpg

  • perhaps on 15/02/2021 - 19:13
    +2

    call a plumber? Show them Shower.jpg over the phone

  • SuperMick on 15/02/2021 - 19:18
    -1

    If someone can tell me how to put the photo's up, I will be very grateful

  • Euphemistic on 15/02/2021 - 19:27
    +4

    Step one. Work out why it is leaking. Has the deal fail, or the walls moved?

    If it’s just the seal, silicone for wet areas along all joints that are leaking

    If it’s the walls moved, you are in for a lot more effort.

    • SuperMick on 15/02/2021 - 19:33
      -5

      Thanks, its the seal that has failed. Can you give me a name of the silicone please

      • bloom on 15/02/2021 - 19:50
        +3

        Sikaflex.JPG or Sikaflex.ASAP

      • jug123 on 15/02/2021 - 19:57
        +13

        If you dont know about silicon you probably shouldnt be trying your home handyman skills to fix the shower. Water leaking into a wall is serious if left to long and\or not fixed properly. Call a plumber and get it fixed correctly instead of stuffing it up and then having to spend 3x as much to get it fixed and your dodgy repairs rectified

      • BanannaMan on 17/02/2021 - 11:04
        +1

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-300g-wet-area-waterproof…

        If you get a professional out - it will cost you about $100-140 including call out fee to remove silicon & reseal it (72hours cure ideally).
        However please just call a professional & don't do this yourself, this isn't a handyman/bandaid job & pray for the best outcome type situation.

        Either way - good luck

      • payless69 on 17/02/2021 - 13:46

        Call Seal! And add an Icon!

  • Alan Laz on 15/02/2021 - 20:03
    +18

    Are you renting?

    • If yes call the managing agent

    Are you the property owner?

    • If yes call a plumber
  • pharkurnell on 15/02/2021 - 20:28
    +2

    Get it fixed properly before you end up with 10x the price to fix all the water damage.

    There are "shower repair men" around that will fixit properly first time and tell you if there is other damage already.

  • SuperMick on 15/02/2021 - 20:44
    +3

    Thanks everyone, the nearest plumber is 45klms away and he has quoted me $90 as a callout fee, and $90 an hour. There is no one else around, that's why I was looking to seal it myself, but I'm convinced, so I'll call him tonight.

    • pegaxs on 15/02/2021 - 20:58
      +11

      $90 an hour? Jeezus, I would be all over that. My local guy is $140/h with a min 1hr charge, even if he is only here for 10 mins…

    • Thundaja on 16/02/2021 - 23:20
      +7

      Consider that if you leave this or fail to repair it properly, you risk damaging the subfloor and/or frame of the house which will cost you thousands to fix.

      $90 + $90/hr is an amazing rate for a plumber.

      • Laurana on 17/02/2021 - 01:22
        +3

        Specially since he’s 45kms away. Insanely good.

    • Wezzer on 17/02/2021 - 09:59

      This is great value, most in the city are nearing double that.

    • tsugnev on 17/02/2021 - 19:16
      +3

      If you don't take that offer then just delete this post because you'd be wasting everyone's time here

  • Cheeper on 15/02/2021 - 21:02
    +1

    You can look up how-to's for just about anything on the internet including "how to seal a plastic shower base".
    https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=how+to+se…

    If there has been no structual damage done then it should be a simple job.
    Remove/scrape off the existing sealant and make sure the surface is clean and dry for the new sealant.
    Apply the sealant. Clean off any excess with what they recommend on the sealant container.

    Be prepared to do it every 2 years or so. The seal will not only leak again one day it will also grow mould.

    Try to avoid plumbers, they charge far too much for their services. They think they are barristers… :-(

  • Donaldhump on 15/02/2021 - 21:18
    +2

    Turn tap off

  • EFC94 on 15/02/2021 - 21:20
    +3

    If the silicone has already failed, that means water has already got in behind. I'd suggest fixing the bigger issue at hand rather than just resealing it.

    And considering you don't even know what type of product to use, I'd suggest getting in someone who knows what they're doing.

  • hts on 15/02/2021 - 22:24
    +12

    I just finished re-doing out ensuite because of a 'small' leak in the shower. Noticed a small leak in the corner agaisnt the wall, leaking behind the frame and in the room, thought a quick bit of silicon would be enough.
    While applying the silicon, I noticed the base board on the otherside of the wall was moist, removed it, rotten wood everywhere. Ended up ripping the entire room out, needed new wall frames for both shower sides, and noticed the subfloor had shifted and water had been pooling up within the slab around the plumbing. Removed and repoured the slab, run new plumbing, new walls, new tiles, new shower and 6 months later all finished.

    Did most of the work myself except what was required to have a plumber do (and I didn't want to (profanity) up), but yeah a simple leak turned into a $10k reno that I did not want to be doing at the time.

    Short answer - Unless you are a plumber, call a plumber, especially for the sake of $180.

  • MS Paint on 16/02/2021 - 00:27
    +5

    Use neighbours shower instead. It's cheaper.

    • onetwothreefour on 16/02/2021 - 07:53
      +8

      It's raining today so just go outside.

  • Lurk Hartog on 16/02/2021 - 08:26
    -1

    I think that's supposed to happen with showers. If it was your toaster then you'd be having problems.

  • Peck on 16/02/2021 - 09:43
    +1

    My initial thought is that maybe the water is coming from the connection of the shower head stem to the copper pipe. In which case it would only leak when a shower tap is turned on and even then it wouldn't be under a great deal of pressure. If so, untwist the fitting, clean both threads, wrap heaps of thread sealing tape around the pipe thread and twist the fitting back on.
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/kinetic-12mm-x-10m-white-standar…

  • jv on 16/02/2021 - 09:44
    +1

    call a plumber

    • payless69 on 17/02/2021 - 13:22

      why?

      • jv on 17/02/2021 - 13:37
        +2

        To keep your Telco in business.

        • payless69 on 17/02/2021 - 13:44
          +1

          He has a plastic leak! He needs a plastic surgeon!

  • maiuspala on 16/02/2021 - 14:53
    +3

    Why does everyone think (s)he should call the plumber.
    I think showerscreen imstaller would rather be the guy to turn to in this situation.
    This is their job and their fees are lower than plumber's.

    • kusama on 16/02/2021 - 15:48

      Shower 1.JPG

    • Drakesy on 16/02/2021 - 17:56

      From the sounds of it it's a failure of the waterproofing, which many plumbers are qualified waterproofers along with some tilers able to comprehensively do the job.

    • gromit on 16/02/2021 - 18:54

      depends exactly where the leak is from. I think the point though is CALL A PROFESSIONAL. This is not an area you want to do a self-fix if you don't know what you are doing, a small leak into a wall if not fixed can quickly escalate to some very expensive repairs if not dealt with properly.

  • OzHunterNSW on 16/02/2021 - 16:57

    You are not very clear with your words…. what is actually leaking… the shower nozzle? The tap? Or what?
    Is water seeping into the walls? If this is the case, simply buy a tube of silicon glue and seal up the cracks.

  • Aap Ke Papa on 16/02/2021 - 17:22
    +1

    配管工を呼ぶ

    • jv on 17/02/2021 - 13:40
      +1

      帝国の配管工を呼ぶ

      • Yummy on 17/02/2021 - 21:59

        Nani? Bakayarou!

  • cashless on 16/02/2021 - 17:28
    +1

    Don't think anyone on OzB can offer proper advice without at least a MS Paint drawing or a JPG

    • JungliChilli on 18/02/2021 - 08:18

      I'm surprised MS Paint hasn't liked this comment yet.

  • altitudinous on 16/02/2021 - 18:04

    New shower base at least, nothing is going to seal up a shower base that is going to stay together with people standing on it.

  • xylarr on 16/02/2021 - 18:22
    +2

    Just renovate the whole bathroom. You can probably do it cheaply for about $20k

  • LFO on 16/02/2021 - 19:17
    +1

    Apparently this is what the professionals use:

    Gripset Betta 1L Waterproofing Membrane Bitumen Rubber

    $19.95 available from Bunnings Warehouse

  • THICKnSLOW on 16/02/2021 - 19:34

    Plot twist, OP is no longer taking showers but just wants to know how to fix it in case landlord inspection.

  • digitalbargain on 16/02/2021 - 20:42
    +1

    Use the bath?

  • spoonmugen on 16/02/2021 - 21:24
    -3

    air tasker or hipages… $90 for a call out is a rip off

    • SnoozeAndLose on 16/02/2021 - 21:38
      +2

      90 km returned possible an hour of someone's time with a ute of the tool is a rip-off?

      What would you say about $150 call out fee just around the corner?

      • spoonmugen on 16/02/2021 - 22:40
        -5

        didnt realise it was 90kms return trip…
        surely he can find someone more local…. or hes not searching hard enough

        sick of tradies that charge a call out fee to quote 3x what other tradies would charge just to make money off the call outs and dont get 2 shxts if they get the job or nor

        • SuperMick on 17/02/2021 - 12:25
          +1

          spoonmugen , how can you say this. You don't know where I live, but for your information, I live 45klm's from Walpole and the same from Manjimup in WA.
          Have a look at the map and tell me where I am going to get a tradesman.

          • spoonmugen on 27/02/2021 - 11:48
            -1

            @SuperMick: then pay the man…

            sorry i even replied in your post …

            you're getting some great responses btw…

  • DrRalph on 16/02/2021 - 21:46
    +1

    Pictures or it didn't happen.

  • earth worm jim on 16/02/2021 - 21:58

    Call a plumber. He will charge you a months worth of salary and still not fix the issue but atleast you tried.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 16/02/2021 - 22:34
    +1

    Call a lawyer who knows how to use sealant, cheaper and probably do a better job.

    • rehevoli on 17/02/2021 - 00:01

      Lionel Hutz is someone you can trust

  • Aerith-Waifu on 17/02/2021 - 00:45
    +1

    bikie

  • TK Deadwalker on 17/02/2021 - 01:43
    +1

    I've tried "Selleys Ezi Press 100g Wet Area Silicone" from Bunnings and it worked like a charm. It's $13.

    This might be a temp fix, but maybe check with a professional to see if there are any problems behind the plasterboard, such as mould from the water leaking into it.

    Good luck!

  • morse on 17/02/2021 - 05:51

    As others have said a photo would help a lot.

    How do I upload a picture or document?
    Go to My Account - Files and click the Upload New File button.

    Is it leaking as in water is getting behind the plastic stall from water coming out of the shower head? Or are the pipes behind the wall leaking? If it’s the former it’s really about waterproofing and sealing. If it’s the latter you’d need to take out the stall cut back the plaster and repair the leaking pipes, replaster, re waterproof, put the stall back and re seal etc (we’ve had to do this except with tiles and yep it’s a PITA but DIY is possible if you’re fairly handy)

    If there is a local plumbing supply shop (like Reece plumbing) you can often get some advice when you get your supplies. My husband will often take photos and when he goes in to buy what he needs he runs his plan past the staff and they will give advice on products and how to use them.

  • cya on 17/02/2021 - 08:31

    https://ibb.co/dkkJjMc

    Great plumber. Has many other talents too

  • ahly92 on 17/02/2021 - 09:21

    I think if you post a pic of short video of the leak, you will get more helpful advice from members :)

  • Taro Milk Tea on 17/02/2021 - 09:34
    +3

    Ask in Ozbargain

  • wallet72 on 17/02/2021 - 09:42

    airtasker or hipages will hook you up with someone that can fix it.

    • payless69 on 17/02/2021 - 14:21
      +1

      They will extort tradies for their highest cut. At the end you also have to pay for their cut on top of the repair.

  • CheeryCheapskate on 17/02/2021 - 09:47

    For the walls, if it's plasterboard, it should have some water proofing (it's a paste that you can get from Bunnings). But usually people tile over the water proofing or have a splash back of some kind. This will prevent water going into the walls. Hard to say where the leak is but you can try replacing the shower head unit if uncertain. Most times it's all about screwing a new one in but use plumbers tape (which is a tape that seals the water tightly.

  • Pretzel_Ninja on 17/02/2021 - 11:23

    Check if the seal around the edges has flaked/peeled away. If yes, might be easy fix of just replacing this with any silicone designed for wet areas (Bunnings has several to choose from, recommend going a white colour). It's good to replace this silicone anyway.

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-300g-wet-area-waterproof…

    You'll also need a caulking gun, which is used to smoothly push out the silicone. Bunnings will also provide free plastic nozzles for these, grab a few (don't forget these nozzles).

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/9-caulking-gun_p1660573

    Take your time and do it neat, Bunnings has some how-to vids:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhkh0TMAVwI

    Backup plan, try an app called Airtasker, a lot of tradies are on there and can maybe save you the callout fee.

    Good Luck!

  • SuperMick on 17/02/2021 - 12:26
    +1

    Thanks for your help

  • striker5950 on 17/02/2021 - 12:56
    -1

    call a plumber fool

  • Seni0r El Cheapo on 17/02/2021 - 14:08
    +4

    Press F1 for help.

  • striker5950 on 17/02/2021 - 15:17

    im waiting on a Ozbargain forum post 'my front lawn grass is tall, help please'..
    OR my house is on fire, help please.
    nah in all seriousness, google brick layer.

  • desert eagle on 17/02/2021 - 15:35

    If the roof is on fire it's an electrical fault.

    • Euphemistic on 17/02/2021 - 19:11

      We don't need no water, let the motherleaker burn
      Burn motherleaker, burn

  • Dr Techno on 17/02/2021 - 17:38

    stop having showers and have a bath.. Check if all your grout and silicone are still in place, not falling out or holes. hopefully it might just be that or could be cracked tile. otherwise need to check for leaky pipes within the wall. endoscope camera comes in handy for those moments. Best not to use shower until its fixed or else it can cause more damage to house.

  • ribze1 on 17/02/2021 - 20:14
    +1

    Call a plumber + 25

    • Euphemistic on 27/02/2021 - 18:41
      +1

      That doesn’t seem to be enough digits to connect me with a plumber.

  • deme on 17/02/2021 - 22:45

    Is your shower still leaking?

  • 51722 on 18/02/2021 - 02:17
    +1

    Send an email to your plumber.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EBfxjSFAxQ

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 18/02/2021 - 07:25

    Call a plumber - OzBargin is not going to be able to fix your shower….

  • MessyG on 18/02/2021 - 09:10

    OP did you get a plumber? I hope so, you need to know if anything has been damaged behind the wall, if you seal it up you might be making things much more expensive for yourself.

  • solidussnake on 18/02/2021 - 10:12
    +1

    If there's water leaking into the walls I would be more worried about the timber rotting and also the mold growing

    • Slo20 on 18/02/2021 - 11:11

      Exactly this. We had the same issue. A few thousand dollars later and half the bathroom ripped up the problem is now fixed.

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