Failed Sealant and Grout - Causing Leak

RangeMaster · Wednesday at 6:32 AM

Hi all

Some help on failed tiles / grout / sealant.

In a nutshell, when the main shower is running upstairs, it is leaking (somewhere) and into the kitchen downstairs, and in the airing cupaboard adjacent to the shower enclosure. Not massive amount of water but consistent droplets.

After inspecting a few pipes (which all look ok), I’ve pinpointed some failed tiles at the bottom of the shower tray. I’ve pulled them back, and its got damp and rotten behind them (see photos).

I’m just curious on best way to fix.

Option:

Remove all debris > let it dry out > create temporary structure from plasterboard and firmly secure with adhesive (or recommended item) to create support and flat surface, install / stick tile back board for support (6mm or so), let it dry, and then apply the tiles with tile adhesive, grout and sealant to the max!

Would that be the general process, or am I missing something here.

Thanks for the read and any help.

foxhole · Wednesday at 7:54 PM

Rip out and replace.

RangeMaster · Wednesday at 9:16 PM

foxhole said:
Rip out and replace.

Thanks.

Already started to clear it up.

Do I need to buy anything special as the back board to then fix my tiles back on to?

accelerator · Wednesday at 9:27 PM

Who installed the shower? It looks like it's been poorly installed to me. Also, the surface of the tiles looks a bit bumpy, and this would make it difficult to get a nice seal with the grout.

I would not be surprised if tiles further up we're letting water into the wall.

You could have a go at repairing it if you want a quick and cheap fix. Yes, you would need to stick some (waterproof) back board into the gap. Your process is generally correct. Watch some YouTube shower installation videos if you want to see how things should be done. You should regrout everything, and resilicone too.

The ideal solution would be ripping it all out, choosing some better flatter tiles and reinstalling with proper waterproof backing / tanking.

foxhole · Wednesday at 10:10 PM

RangeMaster said:
Thanks.

Already started to clear it up.

Do I need to buy anything special as the back board to then fix my tiles back on to?

If the tiles are mounted on plasterboard it will all need to come out . Grout is water resistant not proof so background will get damp .
Personally I would avoid tiles in a shower .

RangeMaster · 2025-12-04T06:31:34+0000

accelerator said:
Who installed the shower? It looks like it's been poorly installed to me. Also, the surface of the tiles looks a bit bumpy, and this would make it difficult to get a nice seal with the grout.

I would not be surprised if tiles further up we're letting water into the wall.

You could have a go at repairing it if you want a quick and cheap fix. Yes, you would need to stick some (waterproof) back board into the gap. Your process is generally correct. Watch some YouTube shower installation videos if you want to see how things should be done. You should regrout everything, and resilicone too.

The ideal solution would be ripping it all out, choosing some better flatter tiles and reinstalling with proper waterproof backing / tanking.

Thank you.

Shower was installed by previous owners. Yes the tiles have a slight texture to them, bumpy.

Plan is to repair that section as best I can, regrout and reseal, also add a water seal strip at the bottom.

If this fails, take it all out, inspect, and install shower boards.

yorksbuilder · 2025-12-04T07:20:14+0000

This is what happens when you tile onto plasterboard. If thats what is behind your tiles, I wouldnt waste time repairing that section, rip them all out and redo the whole shower enclosure

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Failed Sealant and Grout - Causing Leak

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