10 Tips To Clear Any Blocked Drain

You use your shower every day without thinking about it very much. You keep your drains clear and your shower clean, so what more does any shower need? However, sometimes problems still occur, no matter how diligent you are about keeping your shower in the best condition possible.

Your shower not working as it should can be extremely inconvenient and can put a real dampener on your day, but how do you diagnose a leaky shower? How can you work out exactly why a leak is happening? There are some signs that there is an issue with your shower that you should look out for and some solutions for these problems that can have you showering again in no time.

Here, we have collected some common signs that can help you to diagnose a leaky shower. Read on to find out more.

General signs of a leak

Occasionally, you will notice that your shower is leaking right away. For example, there could be some tile damage such as cracks, or a strange trickle of water appearing at the place where the shower fittings and tiles are connected. You may even see a small crack on your shower tray.

Often, however, you may not notice other signs that might appear over time. You may begin to detect a musty, unpleasant smell emanating from your shower, or perhaps the paint in your bathroom is flaking and peeling. Even a damp carpet could be a symptom of a shower leak.

Showerhead holes

Clogged up showerhead holes are a common cause of leaking water, and are one of the easiest causes to remedy, even by yourself. If your showerhead doesn’t look clear, it is worth taking it off to check for limescale and other minerals that can build up and cause clogging. Unclogging showerhead holes is fairly simple; you can use a brush to manually unclog the showerhead holes, or you can use a solution and soak the showerhead in order to clear them more slowly.

The showerhead itself

It is worth checking other parts of your showerhead, as a faulty or aged showerhead could easily be the cause of a leak. When you take your showerhead off to clean the holes (with the main water supply switched off to avoid a burst of water), you can simply unscrew the showerhead to remove it.

Check how old the head appears (if you have kept the showerhead left by the previous occupants, it might be quite old!) and see if the plastic washer is in good condition. If any part of the showerhead, such as the O rings, appear to be worn out, these parts will need replacing in order to stop the leak.

Faulty rubber washers are also a common culprit when it comes to leaks. The washer will need replacing altogether to stop water from leaking from the cracked O ring.

The connection

Checking the point where your shower meets your water supply is another common place for leaks to take place. Again, you will want to turn the mains water supply off. If you feel confident to check this yourself, you can feel the water dripping from the shower to work out whether the hot or cold water pipe is causing the issue.

Whether the water is cold or hot is going to tell you which valve needs to be changed out for a new one or simply repaired. There is also a seal or washer that should go here, and this should be replaced in order to ward off further leaks.

Poor waterproofing

Your bathroom is most likely to be the wettest area in your home, and as such, it will need to be completely waterproofed appropriately. This includes the tiles, the paint on the walls, and every other element of the room. If your bathroom has been inadequately waterproofed, this could cause a leak in and of itself.

Ensure that your bathroom is fully waterproofed and that your grout has not become mouldy and damaged. Damaged grout or rubber sealing around your shower can be a leading reason for leaks – and might be hiding more water damage than you can see!

Should you be worried?

It might be tempting to put a shower leak out of sight and out of mind, however, the damage could be lurking behind your walls, or even under your floor. If you suspect a leak, you should call a professional as soon as possible in order to have the situation remedied. This can help to prevent costly damage to your home further down the line as the leak worsens.

Now that you know the common signs and causes of a leaky shower, we hope you feel well equipped to reach out to a professional plumber and have these issues – whether small or large – attended to.

Call our experts today to learn more.

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