Bathroom repair

Cuwins · 2024-04-15T14:49:03+00:00

We an issue in our en-suite bathroom which I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some ideas about. For the second time in about 6m we have water leaking from the base of shower through the wall to downstairs flat. We can see where the sealant has split away from the shower tray- same place as last time. We replaced the sealant last time but that obviously hasn't held. Does anyone have any ideas of what we could do for a longer term fix? In an ideal world we would change the whole thing to a wet room eliminating the shower tray issue but we can't afford that at the moment.

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 15:51

Just to add this is the first home we have owned and neither of us are any good at DIY etc so don't know where to start really

OP posts:

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/04/2024 15:55

We used this. It is triangular plastic and so should be more substantial than just silicone although you still have to seal it with a bit of silicone.

You can ring them and ask if it would be work.

https://www.byretech.com/acatalog/ShowerSeal-Ultra-10---3-Sides.html

ShowerSeal Ultra 10 - 3 Sides

ShowerSeal Ultra 10 - 3 Sides available from Byretech Ltd a Bathroom water damage prevention specialist store

https://www.byretech.com/acatalog/ShowerSeal-Ultra-10---3-Sides.html

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/04/2024 16:01

I meant to add that your main issue is probably that the shower tray is flexing. The best types are stone resin. Do you know what yours is?

You need to speak to a bathroom fitter (go by recommendation from someone who has had a shower tray fitted a few years ago and has not had any issues) as anyone can say that they are a bathroom fitter.

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 16:03

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/04/2024 15:55

We used this. It is triangular plastic and so should be more substantial than just silicone although you still have to seal it with a bit of silicone.

You can ring them and ask if it would be work.

https://www.byretech.com/acatalog/ShowerSeal-Ultra-10---3-Sides.html

Thank you. I will look in to that.
It seems the weight when we are using the shower might be causing the sealant to split so I would be concerned this might still be the case if it's fitted with sealant

OP posts:

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 16:04

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/04/2024 16:01

I meant to add that your main issue is probably that the shower tray is flexing. The best types are stone resin. Do you know what yours is?

You need to speak to a bathroom fitter (go by recommendation from someone who has had a shower tray fitted a few years ago and has not had any issues) as anyone can say that they are a bathroom fitter.

Absolutely no idea. It's a 7 year oldish block of flats so probably not an expensive sort!

OP posts:

Bumblebeeinatree · 15/04/2024 16:10

Surprised that much water would leak around the seal, is the tray filling up with water? Do you have the shower head in a position where the water cascades onto the edge of the tray and the seal? Is there a big physical gap between the wall and the tray that you could fill with a flexible filler before putting the sealant over the top. And make sure the sealant is fully set before you use the shower.

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 16:13

Bumblebeeinatree · 15/04/2024 16:10

Surprised that much water would leak around the seal, is the tray filling up with water? Do you have the shower head in a position where the water cascades onto the edge of the tray and the seal? Is there a big physical gap between the wall and the tray that you could fill with a flexible filler before putting the sealant over the top. And make sure the sealant is fully set before you use the shower.

No the shower tray doesn't fill over the edge with water, sometimes we get the drain filter needing emptying (long hair!) and it can fill a bit but no where near the edge of the tray.
No big gap that I have noticed.

OP posts:

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 16:14

Shower is simply in a normal shower position- fairly central in the enclosure.
Definitely waited the recommended time + about 12hrs last time

OP posts:

Mumaway · 15/04/2024 16:15

The shower tray is probably flexing too much. You can check underneath sometimes if they are on little legs and balance them up a bit. Also make sure there is weight in the tray when sealing and until it dries.
You may also want to check the seal around the drain in case the water is actually coming through there?

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 15/04/2024 16:22

I was advised not to have a wet room upstairs (or above another flat) as invariably, one day, they will leak and you have the devil's own job of finding where the water is escaping from.

Note:
I am not a plumber,
I am also not a doctor,
a hairdresser,
an electrican,
an astronaut,
Oh, there are so many things that I am not...

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 16:25

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 15/04/2024 16:22

I was advised not to have a wet room upstairs (or above another flat) as invariably, one day, they will leak and you have the devil's own job of finding where the water is escaping from.

Note:
I am not a plumber,
I am also not a doctor,
a hairdresser,
an electrican,
an astronaut,
Oh, there are so many things that I am not...

Thank you fair point

OP posts:

Original poster

Cuwins · 15/04/2024 16:26

Mumaway · 15/04/2024 16:15

The shower tray is probably flexing too much. You can check underneath sometimes if they are on little legs and balance them up a bit. Also make sure there is weight in the tray when sealing and until it dries.
You may also want to check the seal around the drain in case the water is actually coming through there?

Thank you. I'm not sure about little legs- will ask partner as he has been under there. Good point about weight in the tray. Pretty sure it is from the side as we can see where it has come away + repairing that bit worked last time- until last night

OP posts:

SpringBunnies · 15/04/2024 17:56

Definitly don't have a wetroom upstairs. If you are talking about the type where you have tiles underneath. They are a pain to keep water tight. We had one in a bungalow many years ago. We have to reapply water proofing spray on the grout whenever we see water appearing at the bottom of the wall on the other side of the shower. Water seeped through the grout and made the concrete floor and walls wet. As the house was built on a concrete foundation, no harm is done. I can't imagine how bad it would be if you are upstairs on a wooden floor.