STEP 1:
Removing the Existing Grout
Risk: Tile & Waterproofing Damage
Regrouting starts by using a grinder with a spinning wheel to slice out the old grout.
The risk:
This process can easily chip or crack tiles, especially if they’re already loose or brittle.
Worse, the grinder can cut into the waterproof membrane behind the tiles, creating new leaks or worsening an existing leak.
STEP 2:
Hidden Damage Revealed
Risk: Tiles Start Falling Off
Once grout is removed, tiles may begin falling off the wall if water damage has already broken down the glue or wall lining behind them.
The risk: Often, the only thing holding tiles in place is the grout itself.
When the grout is removed, there’s nothing left for the tile to adhere to, and regrouting can’t fix that.
STEP 3:
Wall Damage:
Risk: Unfixable Sections
If tiles fall off, you can’t just patch a single tile-sized section because wall linings need to be attached to timber framing.The risk: This often means large sections of tiling must be removed, and the wall will need to be replastered and waterproofed before tiles can even be reset — essentially turning into a rebuild.
STEP 4:
Waterproofing Compromise
Risk: No Seamless Repair
If waterproofing is Sliced, damaged, or cut during regrouting, it cannot be patched.
Waterproofing must be installed as a single, seamless layer before tiles are laid, meaning the entire shower would need to be re-waterproofed for compliance.
The risk:
Without this, leaks will continue even after new grout is applied.
STEP 5:
Applying New Grout
Risk: False Sense of Security
If regrouting is completed successfully, it’s only cosmetic.
It doesn’t address failed waterproofing, broken down adhesives, or wall Lining Rot, Mould or damage.
The risk:
Water will still travel behind tiles if the waterproofing is compromised, and the grout will fail again, often within weeks or months.
Why We Don’t Recommend Regrouting for Leaks
Regrouting does not stop leaks.
It’s a band-aid fix that can hide serious structural or waterproofing failures.
If your grout is mouldy, cracked, or falling out, it’s a symptom of a bigger problem-not the cause.
We strongly advise saving your money toward a proper shower rebuild, as regrouting will only delay the inevitable (and cost you more in the long run).
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Do You Really Want to Just Grout Over This?
This is what you can’t see behind your tiles — but what we uncover all the time when stripping showers where the owner thought regrouting would be enough. Fortunately, The Shower Man is Melbourne’s #1 Shower Repair Specialist.
With us, your home and your family’s health are in safe, experienced hands.
One of the most common signs of a leaking shower is water damage to plaster, architraves, or skirting boards. Showers often leak where the wall tiles meet the shower base or floor tiles. When the grout cracks or silicone breaks down, water seeps through and soaks into the plasterboard or wall sheeting behind the tiles. From there, it can travel along the floor or wall, causing timber frames, architraves, and skirting boards to swell or warp.
You might also notice water stains on walls or ceilings in rooms next to or beneath the bathroom. These are clear warning signs that your shower waterproofing has failed and needs attention before serious damage occurs
When water leaks beneath floor tiles and soaks into the subfloor, the trapped moisture causes the tiles to loosen and the grout to crack. Without proper waterproofing, the flooring can warp and shift, leading to uneven surfaces, cracked floor grout, and tiles that start lifting or coming away from the floor. In severe cases, water absorption and expansion can create a visible hump or raised section in the bathroom floor.
If the grout between the shower wall tiles and shower base tiles is missing, cracked, or constantly mouldy, it’s often a sign of a leaking shower. Many homeowners find that no matter how much they scrub, the mould keeps coming back. This happens because water is penetrating behind the tiles and saturating the wall lining — a clear sign that the shower waterproofing was never installed, or not installed correctly, in line with AS 3740 waterproofing standards.
Silicone can also develop mould that won’t clean off, as the mould grows from behind the surface due to water leaking behind it. In a properly waterproofed shower, this issue does not occur.
Some homeowners are surprised to find mushrooms growing near their shower or even in adjoining rooms. This happens because ongoing moisture and decaying subfloor materials create the perfect environment for fungi to thrive. In many cases, the same moisture problem also attracts ants and other pests. Both are clear signs of a leaking shower or failed waterproofing that needs immediate attention.
Acrylic and polymarble shower bases must be installed on a solid mortar bed with no gaps or hollow pockets. If there are voids beneath the base, it won’t have proper support and will flex under weight, eventually leading to cracks. Since these shower base shells are only around 10mm thick, full support from the mortar bed is essential.
However, even a well-installed base can fail if there are leaks from the wall linings or tiles. Water that seeps underneath the base can soften or break down the mortar bed, causing movement, instability, and premature cracking of the shower base.
Shower wall tiles should be installed so they sit flush with the shower base, allowing a neat and continuous bead of silicone to seal the junction between the wall tiles and the base. Tiles should never protrude or overhang the base, as this prevents proper sealing, traps water, and eventually leads to leaks.
A common issue occurs when the shower base has been “checked” into the wall too far or not far enough:
In some cases, the shower base is the wrong size for the space, and the builder has “made do” to make it fit. This improper alignment often results in poor sealing, water pooling, and eventual leaks.
If you look at your shower with the door open and notice that the lower wall tiles or floor tiles appear darker than the rest, it’s often a sign of a leaking shower. This happens when water seeps through cracks or gaps and penetrates the wall lining behind the tiles or the subfloor beneath them. The tiles become waterlogged, absorbing moisture from behind, which causes the darker, damp appearance.
A shower grate must always be installed into a puddle flange, which acts as a barrier to ensure any water that seeps through the tiles and onto the waterproofing is directed into the plumbing system. For the system to work correctly, the shower grate must also have a connected pipe that sleeves into the puddle flange, ensuring water cannot escape anywhere except into the trap and drain.
The grate should be positioned at least 50mm away from each wall, as the puddle flange fitting is usually around 200mm in diameter. If the grate sits too close to a wall or appears misaligned, it’s often a sign that the puddle flange is missing or incorrectly installed, which can lead to leaks and water damage
To ensure your shower drains correctly and complies with current standards, the shower base must have a minimum fall towards the waste outlet:
How to check: Place a level on the shower base, with one end positioned at the waste and the other against each wall or edge. You should be able to measure the correct fall as per the ratios above.
Visual indicator: A well-installed shower base typically has split tile lines running from each corner of the shower to the waste outlet. These splits help create the necessary slope for water to flow effectively. If the tiles appear flat, or if there are no visible splits, the shower base may not have sufficient fall, increasing the risk of water pooling and leaks.
A water stop is mandatory under NCC and AS 3740 to prevent leaks and ensure your shower is correctly waterproofed. It must be installed around the external perimeter of the shower base to contain water and direct it back to the waste outlet.
A compliant water stop can be:
A masonry hob is a reliable, durable solution because it:
Without a compliant water stop, your shower cannot meet AS 3740 waterproofing standards, increasing the risk of leaks, water damage, mould, and costly structural repairs.
Not sure if your shower is compliant? Book a Professional Diagnostic Inspection with The Shower Man to check your waterproofing, water stops, and drainage.
To ensure water drains correctly, a screed bed must be installed beneath the tiles to create the necessary slope. By law (AS 3740 and NCC standards), the minimum fall is 1:100 — meaning the floor must slope at least 1 mm for every 100 mm towards the waste outlet.
A quick way to tell if a screed has been installed is by looking at the height of the water stop or hob.
For a shower to drain properly and avoid leaks, the shower screen must sit flush with the inside edge of the water stop or hob. If the screen is installed too far back (on top of the hob), water can pool at the base of the screen, overflow underneath, and get trapped inside the shower screen frame — leading to mould, water damage, and premature failure.
It’s also critical that silicone caulking is applied only on the outside of the shower screen frame, never on the inside. This allows any water running down the glass and collecting inside the frame to drain back into the shower, instead of becoming trapped.
On a compliant shower base, the diagonal splits (tile gaps) connecting each corner to the waste outlet should be at least 1.5 mm wide, or the same width as the other grout lines on the base. Anything narrower than 1.5 mm won’t hold enough grout to properly fill the joint and bond to the depth required.
When tile gaps are too tight, the grout becomes weak, falls out over time, and allows water to seep underneath the tiles, leading to leaks and water damage.
To meet National Construction Code (NCC) requirements and ensure a watertight shower, the base tiles must always be installed before the wall tiles.
Unfortunately, many tilers install wall tiles first, then lay the base tiles during the same visit to save time — as wet base tiles can’t be walked on to tile the walls. This shortcut creates a major waterproofing risk:
This order of installation is critical to achieving NCC-compliant waterproofing, preventing hidden leaks and long-term damage.
Our $149 Professional Diagnostic Inspection is more than just an inspection — it’s a full consultation and action plan to identify the real cause of your leak and provide a permanent, compliant solution.
✔ 58-point compliance check against NCC & AS-3740 standards
✔ Moisture testing and structural assessment
✔ High-resolution photos & technical documentation
✔ Written Shower Defect & Compliance Report
✔ Fixed-price investment plan with clear inclusions
This inspection gives you complete clarity on the problem and the correct solution — saving you from patch jobs that fail and cost more in the long term.
Free quotes miss the details that cause leaks. Our Shower Experts carry out a full technical consultation and create a clear action plan designed to fix your shower for good.
Peace-of-Mind Promise: If no issues are detected, you won’t be charged.
When we say you're getting a permanent solution... WE MEAN IT! That's why we offer our clients a "Problem Solved, Or It's Free"!
We don't install kitchens; we don't build decks; we don't repair gutters... WE FIX SHOWERS AND BATHROOMS! So, if you have a shower issue, call your local specialist today!
Amanda and Erol, founders and owners of The Shower Man, started The Shower Man in 2010 and have been in the industry for 30+ years... So they know a thing or two about showers and bathrooms!
The Shower Man is a locally owned and operated business located in Pakenham, Melbourne- Serving Melbourne Homeowners from Pakenham to Point Cook
We have the 'biggest and boldest' leaking shower guarantee, so you can be confident knowing that we can solve your shower problem!
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It's FREE Guarantee
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Best Intentions, Integrity Always Guarantee
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In fact, RE-GROUTING CAN EVEN CAUSE More damage than you had to begin with!
Removing old grout can damage the waterproof membrane, and sealing over a leak traps moisture, leading to rot and structural damage.
At The Shower Man, we are committed to providing a permanent solution. This requires rebuilding the shower recess, installing a new, compliant waterproofing membrane, and re-tiling.
Anything short of this will not work.
Don't waste your time, money, and energy on grout sharks.
Call Us today on 1300 287 188 to fix ALL your Shower issues Once and For Good...
Our stay at Amanda’s place exceeded our expectations. We stayed there to attend the RCH – the location was outstanding, so central and easy to get to the hospital. The place was huge and had everything we needed for travelling with kids while still being clutter free and minimalistic It was freshly painted and renovated, basically brand new. Easy to communicate with host, it made the trip very easy.
Amanda’s place is very modern. I would say better in person than in the photo’s. Comfortable beds and cosy space.
We really enjoyed our stay at this Airbnb. It was very spacious, homely and had all the amenities we needed for a 5 week stay. Amanda was a wonderful host who answered every question or concern we had very promptly. Would definitely recommend this spot for anyone completing student placements at the Royal Melbourne, as the location was ideal for both campuses.
Amanda’s place was great, absolutely everything that we needed for our stay. Amanda was a great host and made sure that we were comfortable and had everything we needed. Amanda’s communication was very friendly and prompt and I highly recommend this place for your next stay. Great location with trams and trains right on your doorstep and endless parks within walking distance.
What a great spot! We thoroughly enjoyed this very comfortable home, & the location was fabulous. Between the many nearby local playgrounds, excellent cycling paths, and even some opportunities to see unique wildlife at the wetlands, it was a perfect place for our family. Thank you for sharing your home, Amanda!
Amanda is a very responsive host. Her apartment is cosy and has everything you need for an enjoyable stay. It’s conveniently located close to the city and in a caul de sac with safe on-street parking. It was comforting to have private access to the apartment. I highly recommend this apartment.
Very clean and great communication. Amanda was a lovely host.
Was a great location to the inner city. Communication was great and was relatively clean.
Beautiful townhouse the only thing no Aircon gets really hot.
Wonderful apartment in an excellent location. It is very spacious and is perfect for our family of 6 adults. WiFi works well and accessible from all rooms. The beds are comfy, good linen and plenty of hot water. The dishwasher, washer and dryer are all a bonus. A tram stop and train station are very close by and it takes about 10 Wonderful apartment in an excellent location. It is minutes to reach the Melbourne CBD. It’s only a 30 minute drive to the airport. Love the digital lock for the door rather than keys. It made it really easy for us all to come and go. Thanks for the great stay!
Erol and Dane did an amazing job and a spotless builder’s clean once it was completed! Highly recommend AAA+++
I had a cracked shower base and damaged shower screen and after a plethora of businesses coming around and giving me quotes to build the Taj Mahal, which wasn’t what I wanted. Amanda came around and I explained what I wanted. Amanda was great, went with the insert and a new shower screen. It’s the second bathroom and it’s not used that much. Quality work and very happy customers. I have already recommended to a friend to use the Shower Man Melbourne.
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.
Had a shower recess renovated. I love the job they did including the punctuality of the whole team. Thanks
There was a good line of communication so that the whole process from the beginning ran very smoothly. Dane who carried out the work was quick and efficient.
Very professional, and the end result looks great.
The service was great . Amanda as the sales person was very helpful. Erol and the team were very professional couldn’t ask for better service. Would highly recommend this company. Very honest and they are very happy to discuss all options in regards to work being completed.
Thank you very much guys, I am very happy with your service and highly commended your company, I will choice your service again in the future. Thank you, Amanda.
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.
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.
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.
