Leaking Shower Floor Solutions: Regrouting and Resealing Tips

Shower floors often leak due to issues with the floor grout and the silicone seal where the floor meets the walls. By regrouting and resealing the shower floor, you can effectively address the leak without removing the tiles. If the wall grout is intact, there's no need for further work on the walls. if the problem lies with a leaking pipe, waste, or a compromised membrane beneath the tiles, it’s essential to identify the source before commencing any repairs.

Here’s how to diagnose the issue and what the regrouting and resealing process entails.

Understanding Why Shower Floors Leak Through Grout and Silicone

Each time someone showers, water flows across the shower floor and collects in the grout lines before draining away. The constant foot traffic and cleaning can degrade the grout over time. Grout is inherently porous, so when it starts to deteriorate, it absorbs water, which can linger between showers.

The most vulnerable area is typically where the wall meets the floor. This junction experiences significant water exposure and movement as the house settles, causing the silicone seal to crack, shrink, or detach from the tile. When the seal fails, water can seep behind the bottom row of wall tiles, leading to leaks.

Identifying Signs of a Leaking Shower Floor

Watch for these indications that suggest your shower floor's grout and silicone have failed:

• Persistent dark grout: If the grout remains damp and dark long after the shower has dried, that's a sign of leakage.
• Cracked or crumbly grout: Visible gaps or grout that crumbles when touched indicate a problem. Small holes in the grout are an early warning sign.
• Mouldy or lifting silicone: If the silicone at the wall-to-floor junction appears blackened, shrunk, or is peeling away, it’s time for a repair.
• Dampness outside the shower: Look for swollen or stained skirting boards, soft door frames, or water pooling on the bathroom floor after use.
• Musty odour: A damp smell returning shortly after cleaning suggests moisture issues.
• Loose tiles: If one or two tiles feel loose while the rest of the floor remains solid, they can typically be reset during the regrouting process.

If several of these signs resonate with you, further details can be found in our article on identifying shower leaks.

Is it Possible to Regrout Only the Shower Floor?

Absolutely. If the wall grout is still in good shape, we can focus on regrouting and resealing the shower floor alone. This process, known as a shower base seal, addresses the floor grout, the wall-to-floor junction, and the perimeter of the shower, which often resolves the leak.

If the wall grout has deteriorated as well, a complete shower seal may be more appropriate. This involves treating all grout lines on the walls, including internal corners and junctions, as well as tap flanges. Our article on regrouting showers to fix leaks provides a comprehensive overview of this process.

In cases where the floor grout is still intact but the silicone has failed, resealing the joints may suffice. We can determine the necessary repairs after examining the shower or reviewing photos.

The Process of Regrouting and Resealing a Shower Floor

A shower base seal is performed without removing the floor tiles. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Removing old grout: We extract the existing grout from the shower floor, the wall-to-floor junction, and the perimeter, down to the edge of the tiles.
2. Eliminating old silicone: All old silicone is removed, as new silicone needs a clean surface to adhere properly.
3. Cleaning the joints: The empty joints and tiles are scrubbed to ensure a clean bonding surface for the new grout and silicone.
4. Regrouting with epoxy grout: The shower floor is regrouted using Ardex EG15 epoxy grout, known for its durability.
5. Resealing junctions: The wall-to-floor junction and perimeter are resealed with Ardex ST neutral cure silicone, ensuring a watertight finish.

Maintaining sealed floor grout and silicone also protects the membrane beneath the tiles. If the surface seal fails, water can accumulate in the tile bed, compromising the membrane. A properly sealed floor allows the membrane to manage only the moisture it was designed to handle.

When a Leaking Shower Floor Requires More Than Just a Regrout

Some leaks bypass the grout and silicone entirely, meaning that a simple regrout won’t resolve the issue.

Identifying Leaks from Pipes, Waste or Taps

The timing of the damp patch can offer valuable insights. If no one has used the shower for several days and the dampness continues to spread, it likely indicates a leak from a pipe within the wall. Conversely, leaks from the waste pipe tend to appear only after the shower is used, as water flows down the drain. We collaborate with plumbers to address any damage to pipes, shower drains, or taps, allowing us to then proceed with regrouting and resealing the floor once plumbing repairs are complete.

The Implications of a Failed Membrane Under the Shower Floor

Typically, a waterproof membrane lies beneath the floor tiles to catch any water that penetrates the surface. If the grout and silicone have been properly replaced but dampness persists, the membrane may be compromised. A stain on the ceiling below an upstairs bathroom that does not dry out between showers may also indicate membrane failure. Repairing a membrane requires lifting the tiles, necessitating the expertise of a licensed waterproofer and tiler.

Dealing with Drummy Floor Tiles Over a Large Area

Tap the floor tiles to check for a hollow sound. If a significant area sounds hollow or the tiles shift underfoot, it may indicate a breakdown of the substrate beneath. In some cases, re-fixing and sealing the tiles is the appropriate repair; in others, it may signal a need for renovation, which we will advise before any work commences.

The Benefits of Using Epoxy Grout on Shower Floors

Standard cement grout is porous and absorbs water when the shower runs, leading to darkening, mould growth, and eventual degradation. In contrast, epoxy grout is non-porous, preventing the same level of water absorption.

While bleach and mould sprays can clean the surface, they fail to eradicate mould trapped within the grout due to retained moisture. Replacing mouldy grout with epoxy grout eliminates the damp conditions that allow mould to thrive.

Factors Influencing Time and Cost for Shower Floor Regrouting

Several factors can affect the duration and cost of regrouting a shower floor:

• Tile size: Smaller mosaics and 100mm tiles have significantly more grout lines compared to 300mm or 600mm tiles, resulting in longer grinding and regrouting times.
• Shower configuration: Features like double showers, niches, or additional corners and junctions increase the complexity of the job.
• Condition of grout: Heavy mould, silicone applied over existing silicone, or prior repairs requiring complete removal can prolong the process.
• Loose or drummy tiles: Any tiles that need to be re-fixed before sealing the floor add to the workload.

To obtain a starting quote, please send us photos of your shower floor, walls, and the entire shower area. If the membrane is intact and the leak originates from the floor grout and silicone, regrouting and resealing can restore the shower’s watertight integrity, allowing you more time to save for a renovation. Our article on whether regrouting a shower is a budget renovation explores this option further.

Regrouting Shower Floors for Property Sales or Tenant Transitions

For real estate agents preparing a home for sale, regrouting and resealing the shower floor, combined with a thorough cleaning of tiles and grout, enhances the bathroom's appeal. Since the old grout and silicone are entirely replaced, the shower will pass muster with any buyer’s inspector.

Landlords or property managers should consider using the time between tenants for a partial bathroom refresh. Our information page for real estate professionals provides additional insights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Floor Regrouting

What is the typical duration for regrouting a shower floor?

Regrouting and resealing just the floor, known as a shower base seal, typically takes around 3 to 4 hours on-site. Including the walls extends the time to approximately 4 to 5 hours.

How soon can the shower be used after regrouting?

You should wait 24 hours before using the shower, allowing the epoxy grout and silicone adequate time to set.

Do you need to remove the floor tiles to regrout a shower floor?

No, the regrouting and resealing process can be completed with the tiles remaining in place. If a couple of tiles are loose, they can often be reset and regrouted during the same visit.

What warranty is provided with a shower floor regrout?

Our regrouting services come with a 10-year warranty on Ardex products and a 7-year workmanship warranty from Leaking Showers Sealed. This warranty is detailed in your quote after we assess the shower and confirm it can be sealed effectively.

Request a Free Quote for Your Leaking Shower Floor

If your shower floor is leaking, with dark grout or discoloured silicone at the wall base, please email photos of the floor, walls, and entire shower to sales@leakingshowerssealed.com.au. You can also reach us at 1300 815 512 or contact us to schedule a free quote. Share your observations, and we’ll clarify whether a regrout and reseal is the appropriate solution for your shower floor.

Leaking Showers Sealed has been regrouting and resealing showers across Sydney since 2016. Andreas, the business owner, holds NSW contractor licence 89111C, which can be verified on the NSW Fair Trading public register. We are Ardex Academy accredited and boast over 300 Google reviews across our three locations.