Leaking Shower Membrane Failure

Ensuring the correct installation of waterproof membranes in wet areas is critical to the proper functioning of showers. Installation of a waterproof membrane should be in accordance with Australian Standard 3740 2010 - Waterproofing of wet areas within residential buildings. Failure to do so is the most common cause of water leaking from showers

Shower Screen Failure

Shower screen enclosures when fitted to hobs are required to be fitted flush with the inside vertical face of the hob and sealed at that location with flexible sealant. It has become common practice in Western Australia to fit the screen to the top outside edge of the hob not flush with the inside edge. This is contrary to the BuildinG Code requirements.

Tap Flange Failure

All tile penetrations in wet areas including taps should be sealed behind the flange to resist water from escaping down the back of the tiles.

Tile and grout failure

Tiles and grout are semi-permeable. This means that water can escape through them and that is why we need waterproof membranes (to catch small amounts of escaped water) When tiles crack or grout cracks large amounts of water can escape the surface of the wet area and deteriorate the water proof membrane. Hydrostatic pressure will cause small holes to appear in the membrane and the shower to leak. Cracked tiles and grout must always be repaired.

Breach pipe leak

The pipe which delivers water to the shower (inside the wall between the tap and the shower head only has water in it when you turn on the taps. So if there is a leak it will only leak when using the shower.

What Can I do?

Call SHS Building Consultants. We will undertake a leak test and determine why the shower is leaking. If the home is less than 6 years old it is likely that the builder will be responsible to fix it.