While baths and showers being plumbed into modern bathrooms has undoubtedly improved the quality of life for most in the last few decades, they also come with a number of potential problems that have to be sorted. These problems can include a leaking shower. There can be many reasons why this happens and there are a variety of options for fixing the issues.
For many years the most common way of keeping oneself clean was to have a bath. This involves filling a large receptacle with water in which you can sit and wash yourself. Prior to indoor plumbing it was usual to have a tin bath that would be filled once and the whole family would take turns. Now that permanent baths are plumbed in and easy to fill with hot water this is not necessary.
In more recent years it has become more popular to stand under a spray of water that washes away the dirt rather than sitting in a tub and the bather sitting in the dirt. Showers can be fitted in a number of ways using water from existing taps over the bath or using electric power. It is also popular in larger homes to have separate cubicles in addition to a bath. Showering is preferable for most as it uses less water, therefore reducing the cost of bathing.
If you have a cubicle and you notice that the floor or walls around it are starting to smell or rot it could mean that you have a problem with your waterproofing that is causing a leak. There are a number of reasons why this could happen. Most commonly there will be a problem with the grouting, where the sealant is not strong enough and causes a gap between the shower and the wall.
A common problem with both tap based showers and electric ones is that the head will develop a leak. This is normally very easy to fix as it is usually caused by a worn out washer. New washers can be bought very cheaply from any hardware stall and are easy to replace. Just unscrew the head, take out the old one and replace with the new one. You may want to use a sealant tape to ensure a tight fit.
Leaks can also occur through the hose or the electric box on the wall. The hose is easy and cheap to replace yourself. If the electric box on the wall is leaking you will need to contact a plumber that is qualified to work with electrics as this can be very dangerous.
A leaking shower could be very easy to sort out if it is only the hose or the head that is causing the problem. Other problems are best sorted by a professional who will be able to do a long lasting repair that ensures its safety. Do not attempt any repairs unless you are confident about what you are doing.
For many years the most common way of keeping oneself clean was to have a bath. This involves filling a large receptacle with water in which you can sit and wash yourself. Prior to indoor plumbing it was usual to have a tin bath that would be filled once and the whole family would take turns. Now that permanent baths are plumbed in and easy to fill with hot water this is not necessary.
In more recent years it has become more popular to stand under a spray of water that washes away the dirt rather than sitting in a tub and the bather sitting in the dirt. Showers can be fitted in a number of ways using water from existing taps over the bath or using electric power. It is also popular in larger homes to have separate cubicles in addition to a bath. Showering is preferable for most as it uses less water, therefore reducing the cost of bathing.
If you have a cubicle and you notice that the floor or walls around it are starting to smell or rot it could mean that you have a problem with your waterproofing that is causing a leak. There are a number of reasons why this could happen. Most commonly there will be a problem with the grouting, where the sealant is not strong enough and causes a gap between the shower and the wall.
A common problem with both tap based showers and electric ones is that the head will develop a leak. This is normally very easy to fix as it is usually caused by a worn out washer. New washers can be bought very cheaply from any hardware stall and are easy to replace. Just unscrew the head, take out the old one and replace with the new one. You may want to use a sealant tape to ensure a tight fit.
Leaks can also occur through the hose or the electric box on the wall. The hose is easy and cheap to replace yourself. If the electric box on the wall is leaking you will need to contact a plumber that is qualified to work with electrics as this can be very dangerous.
A leaking shower could be very easy to sort out if it is only the hose or the head that is causing the problem. Other problems are best sorted by a professional who will be able to do a long lasting repair that ensures its safety. Do not attempt any repairs unless you are confident about what you are doing.
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A leaking shower can waste thousands of gallons of water over a year's time. You can solve the problem of a deteriorating shower basin by applying shower waterproofing to problem areas.
