Need Advice - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

nicol · 11-06-2008

Hi Folks,
Hoping for some advice, water is leaking through my tiles in my shower,this happened a while ago,i replaced the silicone where the tiles touch the shower basin carefully,it was okay for i week then leaked again.I have noticed that some of the grout has cracked,we have not used the shower for a while due to this,the house was a new build 5 years ago.Any advice on how to make this watertight again would greatly be appreciated.

Regards Nicol

**grumpygrouter** · 11-06-2008

Very hard to diagnose with out seeing it but if the grout is cracked, this is more than likely the problem. Unfortunately, if water has got behind the tiles and the area has not been "tanked" then considerable damage may have occurred which you can't see.

If the house is only 5 years old, isn't it still covered by the NHBC 10 warranty?

nicol · 11-06-2008

Good Point,never thought of that,is there a chance that i could have invalidated their warranty by redoing the silicon my self???

bigandy · 11-06-2008

i am not sure if it will invalidate your warranty but deny putting it on!!!

Ger · 11-06-2008

Andy
What is the shower tray made of (resin/steel/fibre glass)
Has it supporting legs?
What is it resting on (Timber joist/concrete)?
What type of walls enclose the shower?

Ger

Ger

Ger · 11-06-2008

Sorry Andy - I mean Nicol

bigandy · 11-06-2008

was wonderin what i did thought it was my usual sarcasm leeching in to my written word!!!

nicol · 11-06-2008

Ger,

Its a plastic basin,with adjustable feet,the joiners have strenghthened it with a wood frame,as they would use wih a bath,looks cheap,the house builder did not seem to go in for quality products,the walls that are tiled are just plasterboard.

**dock** · 11-06-2008

Nicol

problem could well have resulted due to drying shrinkage and general new build settlement. Its probably been going on for a while before finally giving out. The grout showing cracks is an indication of this. Unfortunately tiling itself cannot be guranteed to be water tight for the above reason and this is documented within the British Standard for tiling BS5385.
The other issue is that once breached, silicone sealants don't stick too well to wet/damp surfaces. That is why resealing it didn't last too long. As a temporary repair you could try a polyurethane sealant as these will stick to damp surfaces.
Typically any permanent solution will involve removal of the tiling. Bear us in mind when the time comes!!!!
best of luck

dock

Ger · 11-06-2008

Nicol,

dock has covered the main points

If you decide to re-tile, you might consider installing one of our movement joint seals behind the tiles over the ledge/wall joint

Best of luck

nicol · 11-06-2008

Thanks for all the advice guys,i'm glad i did not go for the quick fix as i was going to do.

Kind Regards and thanks again

Nicol