How to address leaking shower?

[LorenClayton]

Hello

The pre purchase inspection revealed the shower in my 40+ year old house has a slight leak through the bathroom wall to the interior of the house. The inspector mentioned that the floor is flat and slow to drain as well.

I've received one quote from a grouting company for $1,000+ which is basically just a re-grout and re-silicone. I don't know whether waterproofing is behind the bathroom wall abutting the shower (slight moisture penetrated through to the linen cupboard around the other side) and the quote didn't mention checking for waterproofing at all. I feel with this shower design the problem may recur in the future. 

What are my options here as I really don't like this design of shower. I'd prefer a curbed shower with tiles down the bottom to contain water. Can this shower be converted to one with tiles and would this help to alleviate leaking? Or would I be better off replacing the whole shower? I've also considered a shower pod, but not confident with the internal plumbing and probably too expensive.

I basically just want a standard shower as leak-proof as possible with the least expense so would appreciate any advice.

Would a plumber be the best person to provide quotes?

[JacobZ]

Hi @LorenClayton,

Thank you for your question about options for your shower.

Do you know what the substrate of the tiles is? Is it on a concrete slab? Or is it timber floor framing with concrete sheeting? Knowing what lies beneath the tiles will have a big effect on the project.

I see three options outside of the repair you've had a quote for.

You can have a hob installed, have a rebate cut into the shower area so the shower sits below the rest of the floor level, or you could have a shower base installed. 

Each of these methods has pros and cons, but unfortunately, they would all require some fairly comprehensive renovations. Any alterations to the tiles will require additional waterproofing and because the waterproofing membrane needs to be applied in one watertight coat, it may require the removal of more tiles than you'd expect.. 

I'm fairly confident adding a hob would be the least invasive method, but the specifics of the project would need to be considered, which would be something to speak with the person quoting the job about.

This kind of project requires a few different tradespeople, including a plumber. The best type of contractor to speak to is a builder who specialises in bathroom renovations. They may have the relevant certifications to do everything themselves, but if not, they will have a tiler, waterproofer, plumber and glazier that they work with. Getting a quote from a builder minimises the amount of coordinating you would need to do as you will pay the builder who will then pay the trades.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Dave-1 and @TedBear for their thoughts.

Let me know if you have any further questions. I hope this has helped.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @LorenClayton 

I think I would save your money on a repair and go for a replacement of the shower with one you want yourself. With the moisture appearing in the linen cupboard I would be hesitant trying to fix a leak. (Problematic trying to figure out where and how its leaking) regrouting is not waterproofing. 

Going the route of a builder to coordiniate a few trades may be easier then trying to get sections done yourself or organising various trades. Also acts as a single point of complaint with issues.

What @JacobZ has said I agree with the thinking he has outlined. To choose a type of shower replacement Id wander through a few bathroom places and have a look, Something that is one piece and up the sides a little will be most likely to satsify the leak issue in future but as he has mentioned changing anything also will change the waterproofing that you have.

Dave

[LorenClayton]

Thank you Jacob. It's a concrete slab.

[JacobZ]

Hi @LorenClayton,

This makes rebating the floor an option. Rebating the floor will allow you to better slope the tiles towards the drain. It would also mean you don't have to step up over anything to get into your shower.

I would certainly consider this option when speaking with your contractor.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Hi @LorenClayton 

A house of 40+ years is unlikely to have much in the way of actual waterproofing and it's obvious that it has had a renovation some time back, which sounds like what little if any waterproofing has failed. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts when it comes to just rectifying the shower without affecting the rest of the room, both cosmetically and structurally.

Personally I would go a full shower replacement with a walk in option (no ledge or hob) leaving nothing to step over. Being on a slab, there most likely is already a rebate in the concrete floor that @JacobZ mentioned, that is either not deep enough and/or has been bedded correctly of an ample fall.

It's not going to be a cheap project, but will be a far better long term investment than a $1,000 fix. Especially as you have just bought the property. the other advantage will be with the walls off, the internal ingress can be established and rectified again over a paste over repair. 

Plumber's or registered builders specialising in bathroom renovations would be my first point of call as @JacobZ also recommended. Just get several quotes and check their past work/reviews.

Nailbag

[LorenClayton]

Thank you Nailbag. Yes, I suspect there's not much in the way of waterproofing here. May I ask why you'd opt for another walk-in shower over a ledge or hob style? Wouldn't  these last two work better against leakage? Or do you just feel that walk-in is safer?

[JacobZ]

Hi @LorenClayton,

Allow me to tag Wayne (@Nailbag) so he is notified of your question.

I'm sure he will respond shortly.

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Hi @LorenClayton 

The shower including the base has to be completely removed so you're essentially starting from scratch. And since you have just moved in to the property, then this will be a far more modern style over the hob. And as you say there will be no lip on entry and exit. Plus there may be more plumbing work required to reposition the waste for a hob, where a dropped tile floor can match the existing placement.

You will also be able to take the opportunity to select a new more modern tap mixer and shower rose. The white wall tiles will be a no-brainer to match. The shower floor tiles may prove to be problematic. But instead of spending a lot of time trying to find a match, just pick a colour thats noticeably different so they aren't out of place. Consider the texture of the floor tiles. You can get ones with a smooth stone feel. Nice on the feet and tend to be non-slip.

Regards Nailbag