Shower cabins are not complex plumbing equipment. Their apparent simplicity often leads to ignoring assembly advice. As a result, the shower stall flows and rewards users not only with a comfortable shower, but also with an impressive puddle of water in the bathroom.
We will discuss how to deal with this phenomenon in this article.
Pallet selection
For many, the idea of a shower stall is associated with a structure in the form of walls attached to the floor.
Such a cabin can be found in many sports and recreational institutions.
As a rule, a problem that often arises is that the shower stall and, directly, the drain pipes are clogged.
New technologies make it possible to design a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing shower cabin with a tray, fences, doors and other equipment.
In order for the cabin to be used for a long time and rationally, it is necessary to select a high-quality pallet.
More popular forms include the following pallets:
- rectangular;
- pentagonal;
- semicircular;
- radial.
But the quality of a pallet lies not so much in its shape as in the material from which it is made.
Improvements in technology have led to the appearance on the market of pallets that differ in size and material.
TO classic options designs include pallets made of the following materials:
- ceramics;
- acrylic;
- enameled cast iron;
- steel.
Reliable and durable pallets include plumbing equipment from high-tech quarry or cast marble.
The likelihood of disruption of the structure of these materials during operation is minimized.
Pallet installation
Installing a pallet is a fairly simple process.
But often home craftsmen are faced with the problem that the shower stall is leaking.
And the reason for this may be incorrect installation of the pallet.
Beginning installation work, pay attention to the following recommendations:
- The joining angle of the shower stall walls should be 90 degrees;
- It is necessary that the edges of the pallet fit snugly against the walls;
- The socket of the sewer drain must coincide with the drain pan.
Installing a pallet includes the following steps:
- the lower part of the pan is immediately connected to the drain;
- adjustable legs are attached;
- the pallet is installed horizontally.
The angle at the installation site must be straight, so the walls must be leveled to the height of the pallet.
The pallet should be installed so that there is a tight fit between the edges of the pallet and the wall.
During installation, be careful not to scratch the surface.
There is a fact that the junction of the pallet and the walls are sealed with sealants, but leaks still occur.
The reason for this may be a lack of stiffeners or frame under the pallet, that is, the pallet bends under the weight and the sealant does not hold. This problem can be prevented even when choosing a pallet.
Therefore, when purchasing, pay attention to the number of support points for the pallet.
The higher priced pallet model does not pose this problem.
If you prefer to purchase cheaper equipment for the cabin, then provide additional supports around the perimeter of the cabin.
Sealing seams
When the pan is installed and all the components are pre-fixed, it is necessary to test run water into the cabin.
It happens that the shower stall leaks, and this result must be corrected.
Leaks often result from unsealed joints.
The fixes are:
- to seal the connections, use a sealing cord from the set of elements supplied with the cabin;
- a cord of the required thickness is inserted into the junction of the cabin frame and glass;
- the remaining elements are sealed using sealant.
Depending on the cabin design, either clear or white sealant can be used.
Special attention pay attention to drain connections.
Instructions for eliminating leaks
It's quite unpleasant whenThe shower cabin is leaking.
Therefore, we offer you the following instructions to resolve this issue:
- Before treating the joints of the parts with sealants, it is necessary to assemble the shower cabin (guides and side walls are attached to the tray, the upper part and hoses are attached).
- Silicone sealants are applied to all joints until the cabin is assembled together.
The sealant should be applied so that the hole for the fasteners is “outside” in relation to it. - After the sealed parts are connected and fastened with bolts or screws, the seams on the front side of the cabin are sealed. Excess silicone should be removed before it dries.
- The areas where the cabin parts meet the sealing gaskets are subject to mandatory treatment with sealants.
- If a leak occurs after the structure is fully assembled, before resealing the shower stall, it is necessary to dry all its surfaces.
Only in this case will the silicone hold tightly and not allow moisture to pass through. - After eliminating leaks, it is necessary to monitor the sealing during operation back wall cabins in order to timely identify possible leak locations.
Remember that not only the joints between the pallet and the wall, the pallet and fences, enclosing and moving elements, but also pipes, hoses, and drainage elements must have hermetically sealed properties.
If the cabin leaks before use (at the test run stage), then the reason may be either incorrect or manufacturing defects in the parts.
In the event that a leak occurred during long-term operation of the sealing gaskets, connections and pipes, the integrity could be compromised. It may be necessary to replace some elements.
To avoid clogging of the cabin drain, which can also lead to leaks, it is necessary to properly care for the pan and keep it clean.
Attention. Sealing is carried out from the inside of the shower stall.
In order not to encounter problems of this kind, it is necessary to purchase plumbing equipment from trusted manufacturers, and entrust its installation to the hands of professionals. After all, in addition to convenience, the shower cabin you chose should provide high quality operation.
Shower stall leaking? This can be fixed! Experienced craftsmen will quickly deal with such a nuisance. They will determine the cause of the leak and carry out the necessary work to fix it. If you find that your shower stall is leaking, seek professional help as soon as possible. Otherwise, further operation may result in more serious problems. Our technicians have extensive experience working with shower cabins, so they will fix any problems professionally and quickly. You can leave a request on the website or by phone.
Main reasons to contact us:
- Our specialists work with shower cabins of all types and brands
- We guarantee an individual approach to each case
- Our company's specialists will perform the work efficiently and in the shortest possible time.
- You pay for the work only after it is completed
- Our specialists will come to any district of Moscow and the nearest Moscow region
Why is there leaking from the shower stall?
The reasons may vary. First of all, the cabin may leak due to improper installation of the pan. When installing, it is important that the edges of the pallet fit snugly against the wall. In addition, some types of pallets have their own characteristics that must be taken into account during installation.
Often the shower stall constantly leaks due to a broken faucet or damaged water supply hoses. If this is the problem, then to eliminate the leak, the failed elements should be replaced.
However, most often shower stall leaks occur due to insufficient sealing of the seams. Even at the installation stage, the shower stall is carefully sealed, but over time, gaps can form, resulting in leakage from the shower stall. To eliminate this problem, resealing is necessary.
A clogged drain can also cause a leak. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the pan and prevent various debris from entering the drain.
The shower stall is leaking for many reasons. To find out, you need to know well the features of all types of cabins. In addition, to eliminate a leak, it is often necessary to disassemble and reassemble some elements. Therefore, such work should be entrusted to professionals. Our technicians will quickly and reliably fix any leak, seal the seams, and also help you select spare parts. You can invite a specialist to your place by phone or online.
Installing a shower cabin in the bathroom made the room more comfortable, and hygiene procedures faster and more enjoyable. But bad luck, at a certain moment you notice that the cabin has leaked. We will tell you now what to do if the shower stall is leaking.
A leaking shower stall is a very annoying problem., because you may not notice it right away, and the moisture will accumulate for a long time in a certain part of the bathroom and cause harm not only finishing material, but also to health. Yes, that’s right, because if the shower stall leaks and water accumulates under the tray, then mold can form, which has an adverse effect on humans.
This can only be avoided if the bathroom has high-quality air ventilation, hoods are installed, systematic cleaning, ventilation, and so on are carried out. Otherwise, a shower stall leak may not be detected for a long time, which is the most unpleasant side of the problem. But, if you see water leaks on the walls or floor, you can solve it simply.
Why does the shower stall leak and how to fix the leak?
The cause of the leak may be depressurization of the cabin, for example, if a low-quality sealant was used to seal the seams or it dried out and began to leak water.
In this case, you can eliminate the leak in the shower stall as follows. It is necessary to find places where leaks occur (even experimentally, by running water from a shower head onto the seams) and re-seal them with high-quality material and correctly. You can make a simple repair by applying silicone only to the leakage areas (washing, cleaning and degreasing the surfaces), or major renovation, for which you will need to loosen the fastenings of the walls, clean out all the sealant and put on a new layer.
Shower stall leakage can occur through the thresholds. Many models are designed with low thresholds, and therefore water flows over them very easily.
In this case, there is no need to repair anything, because there is no actual breakdown. It is also unlikely that anyone will change the cabin because of this problem, and therefore, there is only one solution - to be more careful when taking a shower, put a rag or towel near the cabin and wipe the floor immediately after the procedures.
The shower stall also leaks due to a poor-quality drainage system or improper fastening. Everything here is elementary, the drain may not be secured well, and therefore water from the pan does not end up in the sewer, but under the pan itself, under the base of the shower stall, where it accumulates. To eliminate this problem, you need to tighten the drain a little, change the gasket on the sewer drain, or even replace it if there are some defects.
A shower stall may leak due to a crack in the pan.. It’s rare, but it also happens that a shower stall cracks (maybe from improper use, or maybe even during transportation). The crack may for a long time remain waterproof, for example, if it is not see-through or does not completely diverge while taking a shower. But if a heavier person stands on the plastic tray of the shower stall, a crack starts to leak and you see water leaking from under the cabin.
A leak in a shower tray can be eliminated only by specialists and professional equipment, but it also happens that the tray has to be completely replaced.
The shower stall is leaking due to a crack in the door. The places where glass or other cabin material is attached may also be of poor quality, or there may be some kind of mechanical damage.
A high-quality sealant or replacement of material will help eliminate the leak. It happens that a crack is dangerous for further use, which means it is not worth covering it with sealants.
The shower stall is leaking due to equipment failure, which is additionally installed.
Closed shower cabins and hydroboxes are often equipped with hydromassage panels, pumps and other systems that provide comfort, but they, like any other equipment, tend to break down sometimes. If you find such a leak, or a leak in the shower cabin due to incorrect connection, contact the installers who carried out the installation and connection.
Inexpensive shower cabin repair
If you haven’t found the problem and don’t understand how to fix a shower stall leak, but it is there, and moisture constantly accumulates under or near the cabin; a factory defect of the device is possible. In this case, we recommend that you contact the place of purchase, taking with you the receipts, product passport and warranty documents. With their help, you can get a technician to come to the site and carry out repairs.
When purchasing a shower cabin, many people do not even think about what unpleasant surprise they may encounter in the future. We are talking about moisture that may appear on the floor and walls as a result of its operation.
Self-installation a shower stall can not only lead to additional loss of money, time and effort, but also result in health problems and disputes with neighbors, so it is better to entrust this matter to professionals.
High humidity in the bathroom can lead to the formation of mold, which has an extremely negative effect on the human respiratory system. A slippery floor can cause bruises and even fractures. What to do in such cases? How to determine where water is leaking? How much will the repair cost? These and other questions often arise among people faced with this problem.
Because of which
The main reasons why a shower stall leaks:
- Features of the design of the shower cabin. The reason why water leaks onto the floor may be low thresholds on the shower doors. It is worth noting that it is almost impossible to deal with this problem, since it is due to the peculiarities of its design. Of course, you can lay a towel on the floor that will absorb moisture, but this is extremely inconvenient. Every time after taking a shower, you will have to wipe the wet surface, which means wasting time and effort.
- Manufacturing defects as a cause of leaks. When purchasing, you should carefully inspect all elements of the shower stall for defects, namely:
- Check the pallet for cracks, chips, objectively evaluate the quality of the material from which it is made and its thickness;
- Inspect the doors for defects, namely holes and inclusions. You should pay attention to the tightness of their fit, and if inconsistencies are detected, adjust their position. If this cannot be done, then it is better to refuse to purchase such a shower;
- In case of damage or incorrect installation drain system, you will also have to return it to the seller for repairs.
- Depressurization of seams. Long use or improper installation of the shower cabin can also lead to leaks. To eliminate this problem, you need to look at all the seams and joints and determine where exactly the depressurization occurred. This can be done using a stream of water, which must be directed at each of them with inside shower cabin. You can use a piece of dry cloth and blot the joint lines from the outside with it to find leaks.
- Clogging of the drain, as a result of which water accumulates and does not have time to flow away at the required speed, which can also cause a leak.
Repair cost
The cost of repairs will depend on the complexity of the work and the number of spare parts and materials needed to fix the breakdown. Replacing the doors will cost the most, sometimes it is easier to buy a new shower cabin than to restore the old one.
Replacing the pan and drainage system will also be expensive, especially since you will also have to pay for the services of a technician. Clearing blockages and... Such repairs will not cost much.
Note: It is worth buying a high-quality sealant based on silicone. It will help compact the existing layer and prevent moisture from getting out.
Many stores provide a guarantee for shower cabins and if a defect or breakdown is discovered within the appropriate period, you must contact the seller and then the repair will be carried out at his expense.
Troubleshooting yourself
Some types of breakdowns can be repaired yourself.
These include:
- You can repair the pallet yourself using glue. To do this, it must be thoroughly washed, dried and degreased. Then, putting on gloves and a respirator, start working. It is worth placing something solid under the pallet that will not allow it to sag as a result of pressure. Place a small piece of fiberglass in place of the crack, and apply glue on top with a spatula. Allow to dry for 24 hours, perform a similar procedure on the reverse side. The bottom of the pallet can be processed polyurethane foam, which will prevent the crack from spreading further.
- Seam processing. You can apply sealant over the old dried layer, thereby compacting it. Sometimes the procedure needs to be repeated several times to achieve the desired result. But if this does not help, you will have to loosen the fastenings of the structure, remove the old sealant and reseal it. Then you need to remove the excess product and give it time to dry.
- Clear the blockage. It is possible using special chemicals developed for these purposes. You can buy them everywhere in household chemical stores, markets, and also order them in online stores. To remove the blockage, pour the required amount of product into the drain and wait a while. If the water does not go away, then you should call a plumber.
To avoid damage caused by water leaks, use the recommendations for proper care behind the shower:
- Treat the structure with care. Avoid slamming doors or jumping on the pallet.
- Do not use aggressive detergents to clean the cabin.
- After each visit, ventilate the shower stall, wipe away excess moisture, and clean limescale from the doors.
Watch the video in which a specialist finishing works explains why mold appears in the shower stall and on the bathtub, and also shows the most correct connection of the shower stall and bathtub to the wall with tiles:
The problem of a leaking shower stall, unfortunately, is not new. To begin with, it is worth deciding on the rules that will help avoid the occurrence of such nuances in the future. Often, when assembling a shower, owners do not take into account important details, which can cause future leaks. Therefore, it is necessary to figure out how to prevent leakage, and what to do if the shower stall is already leaking.
How to eliminate a leak in a shower stall is not a new and quite relevant question
A special point is the choice of the future pallet. The main thing here is quality. Manufacturers offer models of various shapes: rectangle, semicircle, pentagon, radical. But the shape is not very important; it is better to pay attention to the manufacturing features. Experts advise choosing acrylic or marble structures. They are reliable and do not lose their shape after prolonged use.
Pan diagnostics and repair
The base of the cabin plays one of the key roles: it holds the entire mass of a person and water is drawn into it. If the shower cabin is leaking from under the tray, then the cause is most likely a crack that has formed. Repair work is much cheaper than replacing the entire pallet. There are some disadvantages: in most cases the seam is very noticeable, but steel and cast iron models are generally better to replace. If you are planning a replacement, then acrylic and artificial marble are best suited.
To diagnose the quality of the pallet, they check whether the bottom bends under the weight of your body. Even with a slight bending (about five millimeters), you need to change or install new stands.
Often, a leak can be caused by a clogged drain system. It is advisable to take a drain with a circular cross-section along its entire length. If it has a different shape, it is replaced with a new one. And the sooner this is done, the better.
Leaking walls and roof
If the shower stall leaks at the joints, the integrity of the structure is compromised.
A leak can form at the site of soft seals - cords on the doors, or hard joints - the places where parts are connected.
Important! If the cord itself is leaking, it will have to be replaced. It will definitely not be possible to revive him.
When the shower stall is leaking at the seams, the action plan is quite simple:
- Unscrew the screws at the junction of the cabin elements;
- clean the remaining sealing agent without damaging the body of the parts;
- wipe the future joint areas dry;
- apply a thin layer of sealant;
- fasten the elements together.
Leaks at the junctions of the cubicle walls and the wall are eliminated by using additional sealants - plumber's rubber, mounted on fixing silicone.
If the faucet is leaking shower cabin, and other plumbing elements at the junction with the shower body, then use gaskets and sealant.
Leaking shower doors
You can watch the video to see what to do when the shower stall is leaking on the door. This is a fairly common question.
When the door is sliding, you first need to check the condition of the rollers and guides. It is necessary to find the gap while the door is moving. Sometimes it is worth removing the door and replacing the defective rollers, although they may well be repairable.
There are no components to eliminate defects in guides, but it is possible to manufacture them from stainless steel, directly according to the diameter of the pipe. This method will take a lot of time and effort. But this way they save money on buying a new pallet.
Replacement will depend on the type of structure and the material from which it is made. For example, curved glass is the most expensive. But today, numerous workshops offer their services for replacing curved glass doors. If the glass door is simply flat, then replacing it will not be difficult.
It is very easy to correct defects in swing doors. Often the problem is in the fastening loops. Leaks are eliminated by adjusting or replacing them.
Diagnostic work
When water leaks from under the shower stall, it can be difficult to determine the location of the leak. It is not always possible to identify a defect after a simple inspection of the booth. There is a technological trick - a sheet of paper is placed under the pan, the drops will be approximately oriented to the location of the leak or indicate the direction of search.
Starch is used to detect leakage. With its help you can detect even the most inconspicuous and hidden cracks and gaps. It is worth turning off the water taps. The cabin is completely dried and a thin layer of starch is applied to “doubtful” areas. The product will change color when exposed to moisture, after which work can begin to repair the leak.
General rules for sealing joints
The problem with a leaking shower stall can be eliminated on your own if you adhere to the basic, fairly simple rules:
- All details shower corner are installed in place and secured.
- The connections are coated with silicone sealant until the entire booth is assembled. The fasteners should be located “outside” in relation to the place where the sealant is applied.
- The cabin elements are sealed, connected and fastened with bolts or screws. The next step is to seal the facial seams. Residues of silicone are removed in their raw form, carefully, without damaging the surface of the shower.
- The sealant must be used at the junction of the cabin parts with the sealing gaskets. They will serve as additional protection.
- If a leak is discovered after the shower has been completely assembled, then before reuse sealant, thoroughly dry the entire surface. This will ensure a tight fit of the silicone.
- Even after eliminating the problem, it is worth monitoring the integrity of the defective wall and monitoring the reappearance of the leak.
Attention! Not only the butt seams of the pallet and walls, fences, doors, but also additional plumbing equipment: pipes, hoses, siphon must be airtight.
Sometimes it is enough to replace a few parts and the problem will be solved. But repair work will have to be done constantly.