Regrouting a Shower: Expectations and Leak Prevention Tips

Have you noticed water pooling on the bathroom floor outside your shower? You may see cracked or discoloured grout lines, and a persistent musty smell lingers despite your thorough cleaning efforts. Perhaps you’ve observed paint on the nearby wall bubbling or the wooden door frame swelling due to excessive moisture.

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that a pipe has burst behind the wall. in many cases, water seeps through damaged grout and degraded silicone. A simple regrouting and resealing process can effectively resolve this issue without the need to remove any tiles.

This detailed guide explains when regrouting your shower can successfully fix a leak and when it may not be sufficient. You will also learn about the regrouting process when you choose Leaking Showers Sealed, including how long you should wait before using the shower again. If you already suspect that the grout is contributing to the problem, our dedicated shower regrouting page provides an in-depth overview of our regrouting services in North Richmond, the Hills District, and the North Shore.

Can Regrouting Effectively Fix My Shower Leak?

• Regrouting can successfully prevent leaks when water escapes through damaged grout or silicone.
• We remove the old grout and replace it with Ardex EG15 epoxy grout, a non-porous material, and reseal corners and junctions with Ardex neutral cure silicone.
• Your tiles remain intact, allowing you to address a leaking shower without the hassle of extensive renovations or tile removal.
• If the leak stems from a faulty pipe, drain, or tap, it is essential to consult a plumber. A compromised membrane beneath the tiles will require tile removal, meaning that a regrout alone will not resolve these issues.
• It is advisable to refrain from using the shower for at least 24 hours after the regrouting process.

Contact Leaking Showers Sealed if you have observed mouldy grout, a damp smell, or water leaking around your shower.

Understanding the Importance of Shower Regrouting

Shower regrouting entails removing old, cracked, or mouldy grout from between your shower tiles and applying new grout to restore the seal between the joints. At Leaking Showers Sealed, we use Ardex EG15 epoxy grout, which is non-porous and prevents water and mould from penetrating, unlike traditional cement grout.

Over time, grout deteriorates due to exposure to hot water, cleaning chemicals, and minor structural movements. This deterioration can lead to cracks and pinholes that allow water to seep through the joints, even when the tiles themselves seem unaffected. Often, this damage goes unnoticed as water accumulates behind the tiles and beneath the shower floor.

Regrouting restores these joints, ensuring the shower is watertight once more. It also eliminates unsightly stained grout lines that can make a clean bathroom look dated, all without the expense and disruption of a full renovation.

Will Regrouting My Shower Stop the Leaks?

Regrouting is effective for addressing leaks when water escapes through compromised grout or silicone, which are frequent causes of shower leaks. The initial step involves identifying the water source to determine if regrouting is the suitable solution.

When Is Regrouting and Resealing the Right Choice?

Regrouting and resealing is the best course of action when you observe cracked, crumbling, or missing grout, or mould that reappears after cleaning. This method is also effective if the silicone around corners and the shower base has split or come loose. In these cases, the tiles remain intact, and the water is leaking through the joints.

When Should You Seek Professional Plumbing Help Instead of Regrouting?

If the leak originates from a pipe within the wall, the shower drain, or a tap, regrouting will not resolve the issue. We work alongside plumbers, and if our inspection uncovers a problem with a pipe, drain, or tap, we will provide a detailed explanation and refer you to a plumber for further assistance.

What If the Waterproofing Membrane Beneath the Tiles Is Compromised?

A waterproofing membrane is situated behind the tiles and beneath the shower floor. Prolonged exposure to water through the grout can damage this membrane. Replacing a failing membrane necessitates tile removal, classifying it as renovation work that we do not perform.

Andreas, who holds NSW licence 89111C, is skilled in waterproofing. Our team is trained to identify a failed membrane. If we discover during our inspection that your shower requires more than a simple regrout, we will inform you before commencing any work.

Addressing the issue at the first sign of trouble helps protect the membrane. Fresh epoxy grout and new silicone provide a barrier against water, making it essential to tackle cracked grout before further damage occurs.

How to Identify the Need for Shower Regrouting

Look for the following indicators that suggest your shower may be leaking through the grout and silicone:

• Cracked, loose, or missing grout between the tiles
• Mould that quickly returns after cleaning
• Damp odours or visible moisture damage near the shower
• Water pooling outside the shower or leaking into adjacent areas
• Bubbling paint, discoloured walls, or soft floorboards
• Tiles that feel loose or sound hollow when tapped

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is likely that the grout and silicone are no longer effectively keeping water contained within the shower. Tiles that sound hollow when tapped, known as drummy tiles, may need refixing before the shower can be resealed, and we check for these during our inspection.

What to Anticipate During the Regrouting Process with Leaking Showers Sealed

The regrouting process at Leaking Showers Sealed involves five essential steps, ensuring that your tiles remain undisturbed throughout.

Step 1: Inspecting the Shower and Identifying the Source of the Leak

We conduct a thorough examination of the grout, silicone, tiles, and surrounding areas to pinpoint where water is escaping. Should our inspection reveal a problem with a pipe, drain, or tap, we will inform you before scheduling any regrouting.

Step 2: Removing Old Grout and Silicone

We carefully cut out the old grout and eliminate all existing silicone, including any layers applied over previous silicone. New grout cannot properly bond to old grout, making it vital to start with a clean canvas.

Step 3: Cleaning the Tiles and Exposed Joints Thoroughly

We ensure the tiles and empty joints are meticulously cleaned to remove soap scum, dust, and mould, ensuring that the new grout adheres effectively to a clean surface.

Step 4: Applying Epoxy Grout to Regrout the Shower

We fill the joints with Ardex EG15 epoxy grout. For a shower base seal, we regrout the shower floor, the floor-to-wall junction, and the perimeter. For a complete shower seal, we also regrout every wall grout line.

Step 5: Resealing Corners, Junctions, and Tap Flanges

We apply Ardex ST neutral cure silicone to reseal internal corners and junctions. To achieve a complete shower seal, we ensure the tap flanges are also sealed.

Typically, a shower base seal takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete, while a full shower seal for both walls and floor generally requires 4 to 5 hours. It is essential to wait at least 24 hours before using the shower again to allow the grout and silicone to cure properly.

Can Regrouting Help Eliminate Shower Mould?

Regrouting effectively removes mould that has penetrated the grout, as the mouldy grout is entirely replaced. Surface cleaning with bleach or mould sprays only targets the top layer, allowing mould to return since it resides within the grout where water becomes trapped. For further information on why shower grout becomes stained and damaged, please refer to our guide.

Can Regrouting Help You Avoid a Full Bathroom Renovation?

For many homeowners, regrouting offers a pragmatic solution to delay or prevent a complete bathroom renovation. If the tiles are in good condition and the leak can be traced to the grout and silicone, a regrout and reseal will restore the shower’s watertight integrity. This method also provides you with extra time to save for a future renovation.

A regrout, reseal, and thorough clean can also serve as an effective refresh before listing a home for sale or for landlords between tenant occupancies. Our article on regrouting a shower as a cost-effective renovation illustrates how significantly a regrout can enhance a bathroom’s appearance.

Is DIY Regrouting a Shower a Viable Option?

While DIY grout kits are readily available at hardware stores, regrouting a shower correctly is more complex than it seems. Without the appropriate tools and expertise, you risk:

• Damaging or cracking tiles during the removal of old grout
• Leaving remnants of old grout in the joints, preventing proper bonding of new grout
• Overlooking silicone joints, which are common sources of leaks
• Failing to identify a leak from a pipe or a compromised membrane

If you are unsure about the source of the water, it is best to have the shower inspected before purchasing a DIY kit.

What Is the Cost of Shower Regrouting?

The cost of regrouting a shower varies based on several factors:

• Tile size, as smaller mosaics and 100mm tiles have more grout lines compared to larger 300mm or 600mm tiles
• The dimensions and layout of the shower, including features such as double showers, niches, and additional corners
• The condition of the grout and silicone, including issues like extensive mould, silicone layered over old silicone, or previous repairs needing removal
• Drummy or loose tiles that require refixing prior to resealing the shower

Regrouting is significantly more cost-effective than a full bathroom renovation or retiling. For a cost estimate, please send photos of the shower floor, walls, and the complete shower to sales@leakingshowerssealed.com.au, or call 1300 815 512.

Answers to Common Questions About Shower Regrouting

How long does it take to regrout a shower?
A shower base seal usually requires about 3 to 4 hours on site, while a complete shower seal for both walls and floor takes around 4 to 5 hours. Please allow at least 24 hours before using the shower again.

Will regrouting stop a leak?
Yes, if the leak is due to damaged grout or silicone. Regrouting will not resolve leaks from a pipe, drain, or tap, which require a plumber, nor will it address a failed membrane, which necessitates tile removal.

How often should a shower be regrouted?
The frequency of regrouting depends on the type of grout used, the bathroom’s ventilation, and the cleaning practices employed. Signs indicating the need for regrouting include cracked grout, recurring mould, and persistent damp odours. Our article on how long shower regrouting lasts discusses the factors that influence this.

Can you apply new grout over old grout?
No. New grout applied over existing grout will not bond properly and will not resolve the leak. It is crucial to remove all old grout before regrouting the shower.

Is regrouting covered by warranty?
Yes. A regrout and reseal includes a 10-year warranty on Ardex products and a 7-year workmanship warranty from Leaking Showers Sealed, contingent upon a site assessment.

Why Choose Leaking Showers Sealed for Your Shower Regrouting Solutions?

• Since 2016, we have specialised in regrouting and resealing showers without removing tiles.
• We use Ardex EG15 epoxy grout and Ardex ST neutral cure silicone for exceptional results.
• Each regrout and reseal is backed by a 10-year warranty on Ardex products and a 7-year workmanship warranty, subject to site assessment.
• We boast over 300 Google reviews across our three locations.
• Our services encompass regrouting and resealing showers throughout North Richmond, the Hills District, and the North Shore of Sydney.

If your shower is leaking, do not hesitate to address the potential damage occurring behind the tiles. Send us photos of your shower or contact us to schedule an inspection. We will evaluate whether a regrout and reseal can effectively stop the leak.