How to fix door frame near shower that is cracking?

[margs333]

  

How to fix gap on corner door frame near shower base. Looks like it has cracked and grout has come away

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @margs333. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about filling a gap.

There might have been some water leakage from the shower that caused the timber trim to decay and form this hole. It appears that the hole has had an attempt at repair with grout, and that has now broken away. You could fill the hole with wet area silicone, but I'd also advise that you ensure there isn't a current water leak and that if the timber has decayed significantly, it be replaced. You certainly don't want to seal this hole up and mask a larger issue where water could penetrate the wall frame and cause structural damage.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[margs333]

Thanks Mitchell is there any way to tell if that is the case?

[MitchellMc]

If you take a screwdriver and probe around the bottom of the trim, it should become evident if the timber is rotten @margs333. If you can easily poke holes in it or break pieces away, that would be a good indication that there is a leak.

You can also block the waste in the shower with a towel and fill up the shower recess with water. Check the outside where the damage is to see if any water is leaking out of the shower recess. You can then look for cracks in the inside or gaps where the water might be escaping. Fill these with a wet area silicone.

Mitchell

[margs333]

Ok thank you and say you can push a hole into it and does break into pieces. Do you need to replace the whole frame and how do you do that?

[MitchellMc]

You'd only need to remove the vertical trim on that side and inspect behind it, @margs333. Using a prybar to remove it would likely be the easiest option. Provided the stud work behind isn't affected by moisture, a new trim piece can be installed and painted.

Mitchell

[margs333]

If the studd wall at the bottom where the trim is affected what do you need to do then. It seems to be only the bottom trim part near base is affected in a small patch

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @margs333,

It depends on what extent the timber studs are damaged if at all. 

You may find that upon removing the trim, the timber behind is fine and you simply need to replace the trim and paint as @MitchellMc has said. It is also possible that water has found its way into this gap and caused some framing to rot, meaning some framing may need to be cut out and replaced.

The only way to know what is required for certain is to remove the timber trim and have a look.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob