Fix a shower leak.

Identifying the source early is essential. Whether it is a failed silicone seal, a cracked tray, or an internal valve failure, professional intervention ensures the root cause is fixed rather than just masking the symptoms.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Diagnostic testing: Visual inspection of seals and grout, followed by moisture meter readings to detect dampness behind tiles.
• Isolation: Shutting off the water supply and, for electric showers, isolating the circuit at the consumer unit.
• Component replacement: Removing faulty shower cartridges, O-rings, hoses, or thermostatic mixing valves.
• Surface restoration: Stripping out degraded silicone and raking out crumbly grout before applying high-quality anti-fungal replacements.
• Integrity checks: Pressure testing the new connections and flood-testing the tray or wet room floor to ensure total water-tightness.
• Damage assessment: Inspecting the subfloor or adjacent walls for water damage that may require further remedial work.

Typical Costs

Prices are heavily influenced by the accessibility of your pipework. If a plumber has to remove tiles or cut into a ceiling to reach a leaking waste pipe, labour costs will increase significantly.

How Long Does It Take?

• Minor repairs (hoses, heads, or seals): 1–2 hours.
• Valve or cartridge replacement: 2–4 hours, depending on the age of the unit.
• Full reseal and regrout: 4–6 hours (requires 24 hours drying time before use).
• Complex leaks (subfloor or waste pipe): 1–2 days if floorboards or tiles need lifting.

DIY or Professional?

Replacing a showerhead or a flexible hose is a simple DIY task. However, internal leaks or failed seals should usually be handled by a professional plumber.

Important: If you have an electric shower, any work involving the internal electrical components must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. This usually requires a qualified electrician or a specialist plumber.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check credentials: Look for NVQ Level 2/3 in Plumbing and Heating or membership in bodies like CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering).
• Insurance: Ensure they hold a minimum of £1 million in Public Liability Insurance.
• Specialism: Ask if they handle "making good" (retiling/plastering) or if you will need a separate tiler.

Questions to ask:

• Can you provide a fixed quote after the initial diagnosis?
• Do you guarantee your work and for how long?
• Will you use anti-fungal, trade-grade silicone?

UK Regulations

• Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999: Ensures all plumbing work prevents contamination and waste of water.
• Building Regulations Part G: Covers sanitation, hot water safety, and water efficiency.
• Building Regulations Part P: Applicable if the repair involves the electrical supply to an electric shower.

Common Problems

• The "Quick Fix" Silicone: Applying new silicone over old, damp sealant. This will fail within weeks as it cannot bond properly.
• Hidden Tray Flex: If the shower tray isn't supported correctly, it will flex when you stand on it, constantly breaking the watertight seal.
• Misdiagnosis: Assuming the leak is the seal when it is actually a pinhole leak in the pipework behind the wall.
• Ignoring the Grout: Homeowners often overlook porous grout, which can allow enough water through to rot a stud wall over time.

Frequently Asked Questions