A leaking shower does not always show as water on the floor. Damage often starts inside the wall or floor structure and only becomes visible once it has spread. Six signs your shower needs professional leak repair:
Damp or soft wall patches near the shower recess
Tiles that sound hollow when tapped
Grout that is cracking, crumbling, or discoloured
Mould or mildew on nearby walls or ceilings
A musty smell that does not clear with ventilation
Water stains on the ceiling below the bathroom
Any one of these is reason enough to book an inspection. A leaking shower base is especially risky, as pooling water saturates the subfloor and leads to costly structural damage.
Most shower leaks trace back to one of four causes. Identifying the right one is the only way to stop the leak for good, as each needs a different repair approach.
Failed waterproof membrane. This layer stops water reaching the substrate. Once it fails, water bypasses the tiles entirely. Regrouting alone won't fix it.
Deteriorated grout and silicone. These are the weakest points in any tiled shower. Both need full replacement, not patching, for a lasting repair.
Cracked or lifted tiles. Cracks break the sealed surface. Lifted tiles create gaps that let water pool behind the tile.
Leaking shower base. Poor waterproofing at installation, or cracks over time, lets water escape into the subfloor.
VIP Shower Repairs uses a four-stage process to diagnose and repair leaking showers across Melbourne. We inspect first and quote second, so the repair is scoped around what the shower actually needs.
Inspection and diagnosis. We assess grout, silicone, tile integrity, and the waterproof membrane. If the source isn't visible, moisture detection is used to trace it before confirming scope.
Written quote. A clear quote covers the exact work required, with no vague estimates, scope changes, or hidden charges.
Repair and waterproofing. Depending on the cause, this may involve regrouting, silicone replacement, tile repair or replacement, and re-application of the waterproof membrane using materials from National Tiles, Bella Vista, and Western Distributors.
10-year waterproof warranty. All waterproofing work carries a 10-year warranty, confirmed in writing at completion.
VIP Shower Repairs is based in Keilor Lodge, VIC 3038, and services all suburbs within 100km of Melbourne's CBD, covering inner, northern, and western suburbs for both residential and commercial properties.
We regularly service Keilor, Essendon, Brunswick, Footscray, Yarraville, Newport, Williamstown, Altona, Point Cook, Ascot Vale, Strathmore, Tullamarine, Airport West, Preston, Thomastown, Richmond, Hawthorn, Caroline Springs, and Taylors Lakes. Call 0404 607 006 to confirm availability for your suburb.
Cost depends on the cause and extent of the leak. A grout and silicone replacement costs significantly less than a full waterproof membrane repair. VIP Shower Repairs provides a free written quote after inspecting the shower so the cost and scope are confirmed before work begins.
In many cases yes. If the cause is deteriorated grout or failed silicone, these can be replaced without disturbing the tiles. If the membrane beneath has failed or tiles are cracked or lifted, more extensive work is required. We confirm the correct scope after inspection.
Most repairs are completed within one to two days. Repairs involving waterproof membrane re-application require a curing period of 24 to 48 hours before the shower can be used again. We advise on the timeline at the quoting stage.
Not always. If the cause is failed grout and silicone and the membrane is intact, regrouting and resealing may be sufficient. If the membrane has failed, waterproofing is required. We confirm which applies after assessing the shower.
Yes. A leaking shower base allows water to escape beneath the shower floor and into the subfloor structure, causing damage to floor joists, mould growth within the floor, and in severe cases water penetration to the ceiling below. It should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
Yes. All waterproofing work carries a 10-year waterproof warranty, confirmed in writing at completion. The warranty is specific to the scope of waterproofing work completed.
Shower Repairs: Altona 3018 Ascot Vale 3032 Brunswick 3056 Brunswick West 3055 Caroline Springs 3023. Hillside 3037 Essendon 3040 Footscray 3011 Hawthorn 3122 Keilor 3036 Airport West 3042 Maribyrnong 3032 Melbourne 3000 New Port 3015 Oak Park 3046 Point Cook 3030 Preston 3072 Port Melbourne 3207 Richmond 3121 Strathmore 3041 Taylors Lakes 3038 Thomastown 3074 Tullamarine 3043 Williamstown 3016 Yarraville 3013