What the Homeowner Noticed
The primary indicator was a visible tide mark of moisture rising through the carpet in the master bedroom, which shared a common wall with the shower.
Within the bathroom itself, the homeowner noted that the floor tiles felt "hollow" underfoot, and the grout lines at the wall-to-floor junction had turned a dark, permanent shade of grey, indicating constant saturation.
Despite the tiles appearing relatively intact, the persistent smell of mildew suggested that water was bypassing the surface entirely and pooling in the subfloor.
What We Found During Our Professional Diagnostic Inspection
Our specialised thermal imaging and moisture tracking confirmed a catastrophic failure of the internal waterproofing membrane.
In many Box Hill homes of this era that have undergone "cosmetic" renovations, we find that waterproofing was either applied incorrectly or omitted entirely.
Our inspection revealed that the shower had been tiled using an outdated "direct stick" method onto a non-compliant substrate without a puddle flange at the waste. This allowed water to track down the outside of the pipe, saturating the screed bed and the timber floor joists.
The moisture levels detected in the wall cavity were triple the acceptable limit, confirming that the "quick fix" resealing jobs done previously had merely trapped the water inside the wall, accelerating timber rot.
Why the Leak Happened
The leak was caused by a combination of building movement and non-compliant waterproofing. As the Box Hill clay soil shifts, the rigid grout lines in the shower fractured. Because there was no flexible, continuous waterproofing membrane behind the tiles to bridge these minor cracks, the water had a direct path into the structural timber. Furthermore, the lack of a puddle flange meant there was no secondary drainage for moisture that naturally permeates through grout, leading to a "water-logged" floor system that could no longer dry out.
Why Free Quotes Cost More in the Long Run
Free quotes and quick resealing jobs don’t uncover the real cause of leaks — they only cover them up. This homeowner could easily have been sold another temporary patch like a regrout or silicone touch-up, which would have trapped moisture and worsened the rot.
What to Expect During Your Professional In-Home Inspection
Our Recommended Fix
Because the moisture had already compromised the structural integrity of the subfloor, a simple "sealant" repair was not a viable or ethical option. We recommended a comprehensive shower zone rebuild to bring the wet area up to AS 3740 standards.
Scope Included:
- Controlled demolition of the shower alcove, including the removal of saturated wall linings and flooring.
- Replacement of water-damaged timber noggings and floor joist reinforcement.
- Installation of a new, compliant puddle flange and cement sheet underlay.
- Application of a high-performance, multi-coat liquid waterproofing membrane with reinforced bond-breaking tape at all junctions.
- Re-sheeting with Villaboard and professional tiling using epoxy grout for maximum durability.
- Installation of a new semi-frameless glass screen and premium tapware.
- Final moisture testing and issuance of a Waterproofing Compliance Certificate.
What to Expect During Your Professional In-Home Inspection
Before & After – Shower Rebuild
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Is Your Shower Leaking?
The Homeowner’s Experience
I highly recommend The Shower Man Melbourne. We needed a full bathroom remodel and even during COVID-19 restrictions, the team were highly professional, incredibly responsive, good communicators and worked hard to meet our needs. They were fantastic, and I would not hesitate to use them again.
Melissa Bloomer
Professional high quality service from quote to planning to buildout. No short cuts. Very pleased, will hire again in future if I need more bathroom work done.
Robert Prije
If I could give them more than 5 stars, I would. Could not ask for more – all of the team over-performed from start to finish, and completely replaced our tired leaky old shower on time and on budget. I’m recommending The Shower Man to everyone I know.
Fiona Mowat
Why Homeowners Choose The Shower Man
100 Year 'Take It To Your Grave' Warranty!
When we say you're getting a permanent solution... WE MEAN IT! That's why we offer our clients a "Take It To Your Grave' 100-Year Warranty!
We Are Blocked Drain Specialists!
We don't install toilets; we don't replace taps; we don't repair gutters... WE FIX DRAINS! So, if you have a drain issue, call your local specialist today!
Over 20+ Years Experience
Corey Hammond, founder and owner of The Shower Mans, has worked in the industry for over 20+ years... So he knows a thing or two about drainage!
Sutherland Shire Owned & Operated
The Shower Mans is a locally owned and operated business located in South Sydney. We're Sutherland Shire born and bred... So back a local today!
The Shower Man '8-Point Guarantee' (Extended!)
We have the 'biggest and badest' blocked drains guarantee in Sydney, so you can be confident knowing that we can solve your drain problem!
Areas We Service Near
The Shower Man Melbourne services the entire Officer growth corridor and surrounding estates.
Box Hill North- Laburnum
- Blackburn North
- Mont Albert
- Box Hill South
- Camberwell
- Surrey Hills
- Burwood
- Mont Albert North
- Blackburn
- Doncaster
- Balwyn
Explore Related Services
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Leaking Shower Diagnostic & Leak Detection
7A Exchange Drive, Pakenham 3810
1300 287 188
