Leaking Shower or Bath

Leaking showers are a common event. Nonetheless, this does not make them any less unpleasant or any easier to resolve. The most difficult part of dealing with a leaking bath or shower is determining where it’s coming from, which is the first step before addressing the damage to your floor and walls and preventing future shower leaks.

Why Is It Important To Repair Shower Leaks?

Remember that it’s vital to check the seals around your shower and showerhead regularly, as an undetected leak here can lead to a more serious plumbing problem. The same is true for leaks in shower enclosures. Check for gaps in all areas and seals. Some leaks are difficult to detect because water disperses slowly.

Why Is My Shower Leaking?

Shower leaks can come from a variety of sources, so you’ll need to determine where the leak is coming from. 

After you’ve identified the source of the leak, you might want to tackle your leaking shower. However, regardless of the fault, make sure to always turn off the water supply at the main stop tap as well as the hot water supply before starting – this will also turn off your hot water supply.

So to help, here are some of the most common shower and bath leak issues, as well as tips on how to fix a leaking shower or bath.

6 Causes of a Leaking Shower and How to Fix It

Leaking Shower Head

Given the frequency of leaky shower heads, numerous solutions can be used to address the issue.

How To Fix A Leaking Shower Head: 

1. Turn off the water supply before you begin to prevent any unpleasant surprises later.
2. Taking care not to lose the O-ring or rubber washer, remove the showerhead from the hose and soak it in vinegar for at least 30 minutes. Rinse it with water and scrub the individual nozzles with an old toothbrush to remove any stubborn dirt. Rinse it once more, and then set it aside.
3. The element that stops water from leaking between your showerhead and hose is your O-ring or rubber washer. If it appears to be damaged, a replacement is required.
4. Reassemble your showerhead, affix it to the hose, restart the water supply, and run your shower to wash away any last bits of grime. If this didn’t work and your showerhead is still dripping, follow the next step.
5. If your showerhead is still dripping, the shower taps’ valve is probably broken. You must first determine which tap is leaking if you have two separate faucets—one for hot water and one for cold water—by feeling the temperature of the dripping water.

   Then, unscrew the tap handle (the screw may be concealed by a cap) and replace any rubber washers and O-rings. Reassemble everything, turn on your water supply, and test your shower to see if the leak has been resolved.

We advise hiring a professional plumber to come and take a look if the issue continues or if you aren’t completely confident that you can do this yourself.

Leaking Shower Tray

If your shower tray is the issue, you can apply a masonry sealant around it as a temporary fix, but this isn’t guaranteed to last over time. You’ll need to hire a qualified plumber to re-fit the shower tray if you want a permanent fix.

Leaking Mixer Valve

Depending on your shower, repairing a mixer valve can be a relatively simple process. We’ve created a step-by-step guide to help you.

How To Fix A Leaking Mixer Valve: 

1. Making sure that your mixer tap’s water supply has been turned off is the first step in fixing a leaky mixer tap. At a stop valve or an isolation valve, you can stop the flow of water.

   Release any remaining water in your pipes, then plug your basin or sink to keep any parts from falling down the drain while you work.

2. Next step is locating and removing the cap that conceals the grub screw. This cap is the hot/cold indicator button found on your mixer handle. You can remove the cap by carefully lifting the button with a Stanley knife and then prying it out with a small, flat-head screwdriver. However, you may damage the cap if you are not careful.
3. Then, you need to find a grub screw located in the hole underneath. This screw is what fixes your handle to the base of your mixer tap. Use your Allen key to undo the grub screw until you can lift the handle off the cartridge spindle.
4. Next, the chrome dress ring needs to be removed. You must use a pipe wrench since this ring has no flat sides. You will find a brass retaining nut after removing the dress ring. The ceramic cartridge in your mixer can be found by unscrewing and removing it with a spanner.
5. After gaining complete access to the cartridge, remove and replace it with a brand-new cartridge of the same model. Ensure that you adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. After installing the new cartridge, reassemble the faucet and turn on the water supply via the stop or isolation valve.

Leaking Tiled Shower Wall

If you find gaps in your grouting, the best solution is to regrout the damaged area. After removing loose or deteriorating grout, the repair should be relatively simple.

Leaking Drain

If you have access to the area underneath the shower through a side panel and feel confident about DIY work, repairing a leaking drain can be easy. Possibly you just need to tighten the drain’s locking nut. If this does not work, the drain assembly will likely need to be replaced. This can be a challenging task for an amateur plumber, so we recommend seeking professional help.

If not, you might need to enter through the ceiling below. This is a much more difficult task, and you might need a professional plumber’s assistance.

Leaking Shower Water Supply

You can try replacing the shower arm or spout. If that doesn’t work, you’ll probably need access to your bathroom pipework, which is usually a job for a professional plumber.

Pipe leaks can be difficult to detect because pipework is frequently hidden behind bathroom panelling and walls. In such cases, water stains on the ceiling of the room below will be your first indication of a shower leak.

Can I Repair the Bathtub Leak Myself?

Depending on the nature of the problem, you can repair the bathtub leak yourself. It’s very important to pinpoint the source of the leak so you can fix it properly and not damage something that’s already in good condition. 

Bathtub leaks shouldn’t be ignored even if they start out small. In time they will get larger and may lead to flooding.

Why Is My Bathtub Leaking?

Bathtub leaks can often go undetected for a long time, causing severe home damage and other problems such as mould. These dangers necessitate the immediate repair of leaks, so act quickly if you notice unwanted water in the area around your tub. While the damage caused by these leaks can be severe, many of the leak solutions are simple. Here are 2 common bathtub leaks and some quick fixes.

Leaking Bathtub Drain

There are several causes of bathtub drain leaks. The leak could be caused by a problem with the plumbing below the drain itself, which will most likely necessitate the assistance of a plumber. However, it is possible that the leak is caused by a faulty seal around the drain assembly. This problem can be resolved by removing the drain and applying a new plumber’s putty to the area where the drain is located.

Leaking Bathtub Faucet

Many faucet leaks are caused by dry, ageing rubber washers inside the faucet assembly. While it may appear to be a minor issue, a faucet leak requires the same attention as the other leaks on this list and can result in a high water bills and other problems.

If replacing the washers does not solve the problem, you will most likely need to replace the whole faucet assembly. This is a low-cost fix in comparison to the long-term cost of a leak.

As you can see, some of the shower leak issues are simple to fix; however, some leak problems require professional assistance. If you are not comfortable doing DIY work, it is best to hire a professional plumber to repair the leaking bathtub because attempting to fix the problem yourself may worsen the situation. 

At Atapos Heating, we boast the lowest hourly rate in the region of £70+VAT. If the work will take longer than one hour, the price is negotiated beforehand, which means the total price, including materials, is given for the entire job, so our clients know in advance how much the plumbing job will cost.

If you’ve not managed to find the cause of the shower leak, don’t worry. 

We are a fully insured family-run business with over 19 years of experience in plumbing, and we are happy to help with all your plumbing failures.

Are you looking for a local plumber to fix your leaking shower or bathtub? Simply contact Atapos Heating today at 07583 894714 and we’ll be around to get things running smoothly again, at a time that suits you.