Advice for leaky tiled shower unit

[Davesax]

Hi

I went to quote a job today that unseen was described as " Tile grout needs scraping out and replacing - water seaping through " .
When I got there 80 percent of the grout was mouldy and discoloured and all around the shower tap was discoloured too .
Then taken into bedroom directly behind shower and shown damp on the wardrobe floor . I advise that it was best that retiling/ sealing might be the way to go as it was obvious the water was leaking through somewhere and was best to strat over . - It was a high traffic family shower . is this the most likely scenario or is there a chance that the plumbing is leakng somewhere?

The substrate on one wall is plaster board and the other ( shower unit wall ) I think might be plywood from what I can make out . I explained about the tanking option and that it might be best to hardibacker after taking the tiles off . Is the Tilegiant aqua panel sufficient for this .

Any advice is appreciated as I haven't attempted tooo many like this - cheers,

 

[Dan]

I'd say the plumbing does need checking but it could just be down to it being used a lot and it never been tanked at all, once water gets to the substrate, over months let alone years you'd find the substrate would never actually become dry again if it's used a lot.

My guess is, if it isn't the plumbing leaking somewhere, that the lot needs ripping out, and tanking properly to prevent it happening again. Aqua panel or something similar would be a wise move over plasterboard as you say.

 

[Daz]

It sounds like a full rip out first Dave. Have a look at what mess the walls are in & then make your recommendations. Aqua panel is a better alternative to plasterboard, provided the walls are stud and not block.

Good luck with this one, I don't think the customer is going to like what you have to say / price mate.

 

[david campbell]

i would say rip out also,to be honest you will need to rip it out to get to the root of the problem if it is the plumbing,then re-board,tank and re-tile

 

[jay]

rip out and water proof more than likley water getting in around tap flanges

 

[Davesax]

Thanks guys . I quoted a day rate in the end and explained that probably needed doing . It's stud work - I think both walls are going to need it! Thanks again

 

[Davesax]

I have some tanking left over from a previous job , is it worth tanking around the shower area and where the a.p sheets meet ?

 

[Brian the Tile]

hi davesax,i think i may be abit late with this but i think i would take the shower tray out and check the joints on the waste and also check the floor underneath,then tank it, also you should mention insurance so at least you are covering your costs, not a cheap job but the customer would surely feel safer and youwill be able to sleep knowing all will be perfect,rgds

 

[Davesax]

Thanks Brian - I actually won the job :0) . I appreciate your advice re taking the shower tray out . The damp behind the shower wall was actually on the floor boards so I see what you're saying , it's difficult to know if it's a plumbing problem without closer inspection. I'm not sure i'd be biting off more than I could chew taking the shower tray out . Time to make friends with local plumber.