How Do I Find Out Where My Shower is Leaking?

Shower leaks are a pretty frequent occurrence. That said, this doesn’t necessarily make them pleasurable or easy to deal with. Finding the source of a leaky shower is often the most difficult aspect of dealing with the situation. Once the source of the leak is found, you can address the damage and take steps to avoid this problem. If you are wondering, “where is my shower leaking from,” you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn how to detect shower leaks.

shower leaking

Signs Your Shower Is Leaking

Here are some signs to look out for to detect a shower leak:

  1. Deteriorating door frames, skirting, and floors
  2. Ceilings and walls in nearby rooms have water damage, including discoloration, mold, mildew, and dampness
  3. Mildew and mold around the shower area
  4. The appearance of water stains under the shower area
  5. Flaking or peeling paint
  6. Malfunctioning of electrical wires or light fixtures
  7. Timber rotting, buckling, or swelling in the structure
  8. The appearance of ants or termites, both of which are attracted to wood exposed to water.

Shower Leaking: How to Find Its Source?

Here is how you can detect the source of your shower leak:

1.     Tiles and Grouts

The most common causes of leaks are tile and grout issues. Therefore, these are the first places to check when you notice signs of your shower leaking. Water seeping via cracks, holes, or gaps in the tiles and grout is the most prevalent problem in this area.

If there are breaks or cracks in the surface of the floors, water will seep through them and enter the inner structure. You must first fix the bathroom silicone or grout to treat this issue. The grout and tiles may still be the leak’s source, even if they are completely secure. Tiles and grout are porous materials. Thus water will seep through them.

If you notice your tiles and grouts are always damp, soggy, and hard to dry during showers, it is a clear indication the issue lies with them.

2.     Tap Fixture

Another place to look for when identifying the leak source is the area around the tap fixture. Be sure to look behind tap or faucet fittings, underdrain fixtures, and around the shower door frame to check for any other cracks in the tile surface of the shower that may be hidden.

3.     Shower Tray

Having a poorly fitting shower tray is another source of shower leaks. There might be a slope issue, a break in the grouting, or an unintentional space between the wall and the shower tray. Thus, this is one of the first places to look for because it can save you a lot of time if the leak is present here.

Final Word

We hope you now have the answer to “where is my shower leaking from.” You’ll need professional assistance if the leak originates from any other location in the shower, like the plumbing system. If you require grout sealing services in SW Florida, Dirty Grout is here to help.

You can hire Dirty Grout for services in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, North Port, and other locations. Contact them today to learn more about their services.

Should Tiled Countertops Be Sealed?

If you love tiles just as much as we do, we’re sure you’ve thought of putting tiles everywhere. What if we told you that you could get a tile countertop too? Tile countertops seem like the rebellious child of kitchen fixtures with all the aesthetic appeal but fail to provide the functionality the user is looking for.

In fact, one of the most heated debates surrounding tile countertops is about sealing. Given that tiles are highly affordable and very durable, matching the appropriate sealing for providing the grout with the same longevity is essential. So if you are considering getting a tile countertop and wondering if you need to seal it, the answer is YES. Here’s how:

Sealing Tiled Countertops

Here are the top three vital elements to consider when going for a tile countertop and having to seal it. These three factors greatly influence both how your countertop looks and provides functionality for you depending on where you place it. We are assuming the tile countertop is commonly placed in the kitchen, so here’s how it works.

✔    Grout and Tile Size

The main concern following tile countertops and grout is that grout becomes a breeding area for germs and bacteria, which can be quite harmful considering we place tile countertops in the kitchen. The solution for this issue is to plan a larger tile size so you have distanced grout joints and, overall, fewer lines in general.

✔    Grout Type

Another concern following tile countertop sealing is choosing the grout type. Epoxy is expensive and non-sanded works best for smaller grout joints (the complete opposite of what we said above). Therefore, our only affordable and functional option is to choose sanded grout. It will take up some upkeep, but it will work alongside the longevity of your tile countertop.

tiled countertops

✔    Grout Color

Lastly, people have also become fond of grout color seals for their tile countertops. However, we recommend going for a color grout seal as it not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the tile countertop but is also a more hygienic and sanitary choice for your kitchen. Moreover, it is easier to maintain, too, as you would only need to clean it for hygiene purposes and not because it should “look” clean.

Maintaining Tiled Countertops

Regardless of what material you are using, a countertop would require maintenance. However, tile countertops can take a little more upkeep, given that you want it to stay looking fresh for long and the grout sealing pristine. Hence, a little goes a long way with this one, and if you regularly clean some warm water, it’ll suffice for a long time.

In Conclusion,

It is safe to say that your tile countertop does need to be sealed, and choosing the right tile size, grout type, and the color is crucial to ensure its effectiveness and adequate long-term functionality. So if you are looking for a skilled professional to seal your tile countertop, My Dirty Grout is the perfect place for you. We specialize in all kinds of grout sealing, cleaning, and refinishing services. Our expertise can help you make a better decision for your tile countertops.

Contact us to get started today!