Most wet room leaks come from one of four places: failed sealant or grout, a poorly fitted or blocked drain, a floor without enough fall, or tanking that has failed underneath the tiles. Small problems can often be fixed by resealing, regrouting or clearing and refitting the drain. If the waterproof layer itself has failed, the tiles have to come up so the room can be re-tanked. We repair wet rooms and level-access showers across Liverpool and Merseyside.
If water is coming through a ceiling near light fittings or electrics, stop using the shower and turn off the electrics to that area at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so. Do not try to repair tanking or electrics yourself.
What are the signs of a leaking wet room?
Wet room leaks often show up somewhere else first, because the water travels along joists or behind walls before it appears. Look out for:
- Stains on the ceiling belowBrown rings or bubbling paint on the ceiling under an upstairs wet room are one of the most common signs.
- Damp or soft floors next doorA damp landing carpet or a soft spot near the doorway can mean water is escaping at the edge of the room.
- Loose or hollow tilesTiles that move or sound hollow when tapped can mean the adhesive or base underneath has got wet.
- Cracked or dark groutGrout that is cracked, crumbling or stays dark long after showering is letting water in.
- Mould and smellsPersistent mould on skirting or a musty smell can point to trapped moisture, although poor ventilation causes this too.
- Standing waterWater that pools away from the drain or drains slowly means the fall or the drain needs attention.
What causes wet room leaks?
Failed grout and sealant
Grout and silicone are not the waterproof layer in a wet room, but they are the first line of defence. When they crack or come away, water reaches the tile adhesive and edges, and if the tanking beneath is not perfect it will find a way through. Resealing and regrouting is often the first repair.
Drain problems
The join between the drain and the waterproof membrane is a weak point if it was not fitted properly. Blocked or slow drains, hair traps that have not been cleared, or a drain body that has moved can all let water escape. Sometimes the waste pipe joint underneath has worked loose.
Not enough fall
If the floor does not fall properly towards the drain, water sits on the tiles and gets into grout lines and corners. This is common when a wet room has been fitted without a pre-formed former, or where a timber floor has moved.
Failed or missing tanking
Tanking is the waterproof membrane under the tiles. If it was missed in corners, at wall-floor junctions or around pipes, or if the floor has flexed enough to tear it, water will get through regardless of how good the tiles look. The only proper fix is to remove the finishes and re-tank.
How do we repair a wet room?
- Phone call. We ask what you have noticed, where the room is, how old it is and whether there is damage below.
- Inspection. We look at the grout, sealant, drain and fall, check tiles for movement and look at any damage to ceilings or floors nearby.
- Find the cause. We explain what we think is happening and whether a surface repair is likely to work or the room needs re-tanking.
- Written quote. You get a written quote that sets out the repair and any making good.
- Repair. Depending on the cause, we regrout and reseal, clear or replace the drain, or strip the finishes, correct the floor and re-tank.
- Test and hand over. We test the drainage and give you advice on looking after the room so the problem does not come back.
When does a wet room need re-tanking?
If water keeps getting through after the grout and sealant have been renewed, if tiles are loose across a wide area, or if the floor has no proper fall, re-tanking is usually the answer. That means removing the tiles or flooring, repairing or replacing the boarding, correcting the fall, refitting the drain properly and applying a new waterproof system before finishing again. It is a bigger job, but it is the only reliable fix when the waterproofing itself has failed. In some cases the best long-term answer is to rebuild the room as a new wet room or a walk-in shower with a tray.
Wet room repairs around Merseyside
Many of the leaking wet rooms we see are upstairs on timber floors in inter-war and older houses, where floor movement has stressed the tanking. Water marks on a living room or kitchen ceiling below are often the first sign. Downstairs wet rooms in rear extensions on Victorian terraces can leak into walls rather than ceilings, showing as damp patches on the other side. We carry out repairs in places such as St Helens, Prescot and Crosby, as well as across the city. Repairs sit alongside our wet room installation in Liverpool, so we know how these rooms should be built.
What affects the cost of a repair?
A simple regrout and reseal costs far less than re-tanking. The main factors are the cause of the leak, how much tiling or flooring has to come up, whether boards or joists need repair, the drain, whether matching tiles are available, and any making good to ceilings or walls below. Our wet room cost guide explains how these factors work.
When should you call?
Call as soon as you notice a stain on a ceiling, loose tiles, cracked grout or a slow drain. The longer water gets out, the more damage it can do to timber, plaster and electrics. If the wet room is used by an older or disabled person, we understand it may be needed back in use quickly and will talk through timing with you. Read more about our wet room fitters across Merseyside, or for advice on getting a new room built right first time see our wet room buyer’s guide.
Leaking wet room?
Tell us what you have noticed and where the room is, and we will call you back to arrange an inspection. Call 07777 659786 or leave your details.
Frequently asked questions
Can a leaking wet room be fixed without removing the tiles?
Sometimes. If the leak comes from cracked grout, failed sealant or a drain that needs clearing or resealing, the repair can often be done without lifting tiles. If the tanking underneath has failed or the floor has no proper fall, the tiles need to come up so the room can be re-tanked properly.
How do I know if my wet room tanking has failed?
Signs include leaks that continue after regrouting and resealing, tiles that move or sound hollow across a wide area, and damp spreading into nearby floors or walls. A stain on the ceiling below that keeps returning is a strong sign. An inspection is the best way to tell whether the problem is on the surface or underneath.
Why does my wet room drain so slowly?
Slow drainage is usually caused by hair and soap in the trap, a waste pipe with too little fall, or a floor that does not fall properly to the drain. Clearing the trap is the first step. If water still pools, the drain, waste or floor fall may need correcting.
Should I keep using a wet room that is leaking?
It is best not to. Each shower can push more water into floors and ceilings. If water is near electrics, stop using it and isolate the circuit if safe. If the room is essential for an older or disabled person, tell us when you call so we can talk about timing.
How often should wet room sealant be replaced?
Silicone sealant wears with use and cleaning, so check it regularly and replace it when it cracks, peels or turns black with mould that will not clean off. Keeping sealant and grout in good order protects the waterproof layer underneath.