Regrouting a Shower: Tips to Prevent Leaks and Prepare

Have you observed water accumulating on the bathroom floor outside your shower? You might notice that the grout lines look cracked or stained, and a persistent musty odour hangs in the air despite your cleaning efforts. Perhaps you’ve even spotted the paint on the opposite wall starting to bubble or the timber door frame near the shower swelling due to excessive moisture.

It’s tempting to think that a pipe has burst behind the wall. in many cases, water seeps through damaged grout and worn silicone. A straightforward regrouting and resealing process can effectively address that leak without requiring any tiles to be removed.

This guide outlines when regrouting your shower can successfully remedy a leak and when it may not suffice. You will discover what the regrouting process involves when you choose to work with Leaking Showers Sealed, including how long you should avoid using the shower afterwards. If you already suspect that the grout is the source of your issue, our dedicated shower regrouting page provides an in-depth overview of our regrouting services available in North Richmond, the Hills District, and the North Shore.

Can Regrouting Effectively Stop My Shower Leak?

• Regrouting can effectively stop 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 using Ardex neutral cure silicone.
• Your tiles remain secure, allowing you to fix a leaking shower without undergoing extensive renovations or tile removal.
• If the leak is coming from a faulty pipe, drain, or tap, you will need to consult a plumber. If the waterproof membrane beneath the tiles is compromised, tile removal will be necessary, meaning a regrout alone will not fix these issues.
• It’s advisable to wait at least 24 hours before using the shower again.

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

Understanding Shower Regrouting and Its Importance

Shower regrouting involves removing old, cracked, or mouldy grout from between your shower tiles and applying new grout to reinstate the seal between the joints. At Leaking Showers Sealed, we utilise 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 decay leads to cracks and pinholes that allow water to infiltrate the joints, even when the tiles themselves appear unaffected. Often, this damage goes unnoticed as water accumulates behind the tiles and beneath the shower floor.

Regrouting restores these joints, making the shower watertight once more. It also eliminates unsightly stained grout lines, enhancing the overall appearance of your bathroom without the expense and disruption of a complete renovation.

Will Regrouting Solve My Shower Leaks?

Regrouting effectively addresses leaks when water escapes through compromised grout or silicone, which are common culprits behind shower leaks. The first step is to identify the source of the water to determine if regrouting is the right solution.

When Should You Choose Regrouting and Resealing?

Regrouting and resealing is the best option when you notice cracked, crumbling, or missing grout, or mould that reappears after cleaning. It is also effective when the silicone around corners and the shower base has split or detached. In these cases, the tiles remain intact, and water leaks through the joints.

When Should You Call a Plumber 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 collaborate with plumbers, and if our inspection uncovers a problem with a pipe, drain, or tap, we will provide a comprehensive explanation and refer you to a plumber for further assistance.

What If the Waterproofing Membrane Below the Tiles Has Failed?

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

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

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

How to Recognise the Need for Shower Regrouting

Watch for the following signs that indicate 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 nearby 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’s likely that the grout and silicone are no longer effectively retaining water within the shower. Tiles that sound hollow when tapped, referred to as drummy tiles, may require refixing before the shower can be resealed, and we check for these during our inspection.

What to Expect During the Regrouting Process with Leaking Showers Sealed

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

Step 1: Inspecting the Shower and Identifying the Leak

We conduct a detailed examination of the grout, silicone, tiles, and surrounding areas to pinpoint where the water is escaping. If our inspection reveals an issue 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 remove all existing silicone, including any layers applied over previous silicone. New grout cannot bond properly to old grout, making it crucial to start with a clean slate.

Step 3: Thoroughly Cleaning the Tiles and Exposed Joints

We ensure the tiles and empty joints are meticulously cleaned to eliminate soap scum, dust, and mould, guaranteeing that the new grout adheres effectively to a pristine 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. For a complete shower seal, we ensure the tap flanges are also sealed.

Typically, a shower base seal takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete, while a full shower seal for both walls and floor usually requires 4 to 5 hours. You must wait at least 24 hours before using the shower again to allow the grout and silicone to cure properly.

Can Regrouting Eliminate Shower Mould?

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

Can Regrouting Help You Avoid a Complete Bathroom Renovation?

For many homeowners, regrouting provides a practical solution to delay or avoid a full 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 approach also gives you more time to save for a future renovation.

A regrout, reseal, and thorough clean can also act as an effective refresh before listing a home for sale or for landlords between tenant vacancies. 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 Feasible Option?

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

• Damaging or cracking tiles during the removal of old grout
• Leaving remnants of old grout in the joints, which prevents 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 wise 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 before resealing the shower

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

Common Questions About Shower Regrouting

How long does it take to regrout a shower?
A shower base seal generally requires about 3 to 4 hours on site, while a complete shower seal for both walls and floor takes approximately 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 necessitate a plumber, nor will it address a failed membrane, which requires 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 habits employed. Signs indicating the need for regrouting include cracked grout, recurring mould, and persistent damp odours. Our article on how long shower regrouting lasts explains the factors that influence this.

<a href="https://limitsofstrategy.com/shower-reseal-is-it-a-genuine-solution-or-a-quick-fix/">Can you apply new grout over old grout?</a>
No. New grout applied over existing grout will not bond correctly and will not fix 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 Trust Leaking Showers Sealed for Your Shower Regrouting?

• 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 to ensure exceptional results.
• Every regrout and reseal is backed by a 10-year warranty on Ardex products and a 7-year workmanship warranty, subject to site assessment.
• We have accumulated over 300 Google reviews across our three locations.
• Our services cover regrouting and resealing showers throughout North Richmond, the Hills District, and the North Shore of Sydney.

If your shower is leaking, do not delay in addressing 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.