Any suggestions for stopping water leakage behind shower tiles despite regrouting and installing new door? Should we consider gutting the shower?
Asked by Léonard Masson 
1 month ago
Last Updated: November 7, 2024
Hey everyone! Newbie here looking for some help. So, we’re dealing with a leak in our shower where water is seeping through the tile on the wall across from the showerhead. We’ve already tried regrouting and getting a new shower door, but the issue persists. Any thoughts on what else could be causing it? Should we consider a total shower overhaul at this point?
It usually takes a few minutes of running the water before we notice the wall getting wet.
Is the shower head located on that particular wall?
Have you noticed the wall across from the shower head?
Is there a way to spray the water so it doesn’t come into contact with that wall?
I think we could make that happen
I suggest giving that a try to see if the wall still gets damp. If it does, it could be an issue with the floor pan. In that case, like someone else mentioned, it might be time to gut and start over. Dealing with house problems is the worst.
If you gut it, you’re bound to get some serious mold – it’s unavoidable. You’ll end up spending the same amount in the long term, along with encountering more issues. Ensure that your contractor is well-versed in their work, or else they’ll just replicate the same issue caused by this previous contractor.
Are there two sliding glass doors?
We actually have a double sliding glass door. However, we recently installed a new one to address this problem, so we believe it’s not the door causing the issue.
Make sure the inner panel is facing the wall where the shower head is so that the panels overlap into the pan/surround and prevent water from getting between them.
Were the grout and corners resealed? Can you check behind the wall as well? You may need to cut it to inspect.
Hey , the area was definitely sealed, so it’s not clear how the water could be seeping in.
Hey , I have a feeling that when you open it up, you’ll see that the mortar wasn’t applied properly. It seems like moisture is accumulating behind your tile and is finding the easiest path out. Make sure to also check for any tiles that may be cracked.
It seems like water is seeping in behind the wall near the border tiles and then spreading to the front. There could be small areas with missing or cracked grout. Given the likely water damage behind the tiles, retiling is necessary.
I think I’ve found where the water is collecting… The leak might be coming from a higher point along a seal, either in the door seam or an unsealed tile/grout line behind it.
It’s strange to have water on the opposite side of the shower head, especially in that lower area. Could it be an exterior wall? I’m just thinking about condensation inside the wall.
I’m stumped, James. It’s an interior wall and I just can’t figure it out.
I would suggest cutting open the sheetrock so you can replace that section. That way you can take a closer look and figure out where it’s coming from.
Let’s start by tearing out the entire thing. If you’re noticing moisture already, that confirms it. We’ll need to rebuild it correctly!
Boris the Handyman and B&F Multi-Service Inc.
Contact at 571-356-4854
There’s a crack in the shower and a hole in the drain from the roof. It seems like the issue is originating from behind the drywall.
Wait, is there really a hole in the drain from the roof? Or is it a crack in the shower? Maybe you could give a more detailed description.
Make sure to silicone your internals regularly and don’t forget to use teflon tape on all your faucets.
Check for water coming in through a small gap in the grout or open caulk, and consider adjusting the direction of the shower head. I experienced a similar issue in the past, where water traveled from the side wall, under the tub, and along metal supports before finding its way out by the garage unit heater. Despite a 3/4” crack in the grout, there was no mold buildup. It might be worth looking into.
Do you think there might be plumbing pipes inside that wall that run up and over to the shower wall? Or maybe a drain/vent pipe? It’s unusual, but possible.
Hey , do you know of a simple way to explain this? I’m a bit uncertain. We’re expecting a plumber to come by next week. This will actually be the third plumber we’ve had over, and each one has given us different advice 😩
Do you happen to have an unfinished basement below or an attic above? If you do, I would suggest checking for pipes in those areas to see if any are connected to that wall.
What’s behind that wall? Maybe it’s a closet?
How is the seal on the shower door holding up?
I agree with the idea of gutting it. If there’s moisture inside the walls, mold will eventually appear. My parents faced a similar situation in a guest bathroom and ignored it for a long time because my dad kept procrastinating 🙄 They ended up having to replace rotted studs.
I’m dealing with the same problem, except I have it on both ends of my shower. My contractor mentioned that our shower doors should be sealed on the bottom track (where the door rests on the tub). That could be one of the issues for you, among others, but we don’t have any pipes behind those walls either.
Unfortunately, it seems like removing everything might be the most appropriate solution. Having moisture in the walls is always a bad sign. I’m starting to think that the issue might not be related to the tile, grout, or caulk, but rather the shower controls… there could be a leak when you turn on the water. It’s possible that there is a valve leak that only occurs when you open the lines, and since you mentioned that it takes some time for the issue to become visible, the water is likely finding the easiest path to follow. 🤷