How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaking Shower?

Wondering how much it costs to repair a leaking shower? Read more for some guidelines on the cost of fixing a shower.

While annoying dripping noises may seem trivial, leaking showers can lead to unpleasant smells and evolve into a severe problem causing damage within your home. Damp conditions in compromised areas can lead to mould and mildew, rotting timber and structural damage. The best way to stop significant moisture issues from presenting themselves is to identify leaks and waterproofing issues early on and consult with a plumber for timely repairs. So, how much does it cost to fix a leaking shower? Let’s get into it.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaking Shower?

The prices for any plumbing job can vary significantly depending on the severity of the leak and the work required to fix the shower. If the job is relatively simple and only requires a new showerhead or fixing a leaking water outlet, it will be relatively cheap. So, exactly how much does it cost to fix a leaking shower?

For a qualified plumber, the cost to fix leaking showers is approximately:

• $60 to $140 for a leaking shower tap
• $80 to $250 for installing a new showerhead

The cost of installing the shower head will also vary depending on the type of showerhead your bathroom has and the quality of the finish you desire. If additional work is required that involves removing tiling, fixing waterproof seals or other related work, it will cost more. We will get further into resealing showers a little further down.

When fixing a leaking shower, basic tasks include installing a new shower head or new mixer and sealing around the base and shower tray. Additionally, if the leak is tough to find, the plumber will undertake leak detection to identify the source of the problem.

The good news is that the cost to fix leaking shower areas or fixtures is relativity low, doesn’t take long to complete, and can save you from nasty water damage in the future so just get in contact for a free quote.

How Much Does It Cost to Reseal a Shower?

The cost to reseal showers can be much more expensive than fixing a leaking shower if it requires significant waterproofing and resealing. Depending on the severity of your leak and moisture issues, resealing could involve a complete re-tiling and new grouting, but there are also less invasive ways to do this.

Plumbers can strip mould, sealants, and damaged grout from the shower area and remove all dust and debris from the site. After this, they can regrout the wall and floor and apply new sealant and silicone around the shower's drain, walls, floors, and internal regions.

Due to the variations in labour, processes and materials needed, the answer to “How much does it cost to reseal a shower?” can vary; however, here is a rough guide:

Shower Resealing Costs

The cost to reseal showers without removing tiles costs between $350 to $650. Non-invasive resealing is the best option for 90% of shower leaks when diagnosed before any significant damage has occurred usually causing an insurance claim.

If plumbers identify a damaged membrane, cracked grout lines or spongey floor, this means the problem is more profound and requires retiling. Due to the increased labour and material, the cost to reseal shower areas with retiling could cost between $2,000 to $4,000.

While you may hesitate to spend this money, fixing minor leaks and resealing your shower can be a much cheaper alternative than repairing significant water damage to your home.

Reasons for a Leaking Shower

So, we have gone through the questions “How much does it cost to fix a leaking shower?” and “How much does it cost to reseal a shower” but let's take a quick look at how these issues are caused.

Leaky Shower Head

Over time, shower heads can wear out from repeated use. A leaky tap or showerhead is easy to spot with water dripping out from it. A problem with a tap or valve usually causes this, and commonly the inner seals become worn out from the minerals in the water or due to corrosion.

Worn Out Mixer Seals

The shower mixer mixes the hot or cold water before it reaches your shower head. Mixers have a sealed cartridge inside the handle, which can wear out and result in a leak over time.

Damaged Grout or Caulk

While a plumber can quickly fix a leaky shower head or shower mixer with replacement, a leaky shower base can be less obvious to identify and has the potential to cause significant water damage to your bathroom area. Damaged grout or caulk allows water to seep through behind the tile. Once water penetrates the grout, it can damage the tiles, walls, and ceiling and even spread to the floor below your bathroom.

Leaking Drain

A stained floor or ceiling is a clear sign of a leaking drain. P-traps are curved pipes installed in drains and showers to direct water away and are essential parts of bathroom plumbing. If the seal in this connection wears out or there are small cracks at the bottom of the fixture, it could result in a leak. This leak could damage floor joists, the ceiling below and even the flooring of the bathroom and adjoining rooms.

Poor Pipe Connections

While it doesn’t occur very often, rusted or poorly installed pipes can wear out and create leaks in your plumbing and shower.

Proactively remedying any issues, you have in your shower area will save you from more headaches down the line. Left unchecked moisture issues can result in significant water damage, problems with mould and costly repairs to resolve these issues. If you are looking for an honest quote on "How much does it cost to fix a leaking shower?" in your home, look no further than CDL Plumbing.

Call in the Experts

With over 15 years of industry experience, we are a family-owned business dedicated to delivering the best lumber services to homes and businesses in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas. If you have any issues in your bathroom, we are here to help with Shower Repairs, Toilet Repairs, Gas Hot Water Installation and all major plumbing and drainage services. Give CDL Plumbing a call today on 0477 76 2937 to learn more about how we can help with your leaking shower.

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