Shower leaking can be a big hassle in daily life if they are not solved timely. We may hear “my shower is leaking through the floor” a lot. Sometimes you can see the leak, which means the problem is small and easy to deal with. What you should worry about are those leaks that you can’t easily see, such as a shower leaking behind the wall. If you’ve ever experienced trouble from a leaking shower behind your wall that seems impossible to repair, this guide is here to help!
Here you’ll learn what dangers the leaking will bring, what signs mean they are leaking, and the steps you need to take in order to repair your own shower with confidence.
Dangers of a Shower Leaking
For homeowners, the inconveniences of a slow-drip sink may be irritating, but the dangers posed by water from a shower leaking can be devastating. Below are some of them.
- Health Dangers
The health issue is a potential problem. A shower leaking behind the wall can cause dampness, which will breed mold, causing a variety of health problems, such as nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, respiratory infections, and worsening asthma and allergic diseases.
- Ruin the Aesthetics
Constant shower leaking can leave unsightly water stains on walls and glass doors, which will take a lot of effort to remove. If you’re particular about the appearance of your bathroom, it will bother you a lot.
- Damage to Tiles
A leaking shower behind tiles can soak the tiles and will finally lead to more serious structural damage, sometimes even requiring you to renovate the entire bathroom, so be sure to deal with shower leaks as soon as possible.
- High Water Bills
A leaky shower can waste about a dozen liters of water a day, which may not seem like much, but over time, they add up and will put a heavy burden on your wallet. So do not wait until your utility bill arrives that you just realize it!
Watch out for shower leaks and fix them as soon as possible to minimize the damage. However, how do you detect it in time? Here are some signs to help you identify the shower leaking, find out them in the next section.
Signs of Shower Leaking Behind Wall
How to tell if shower is leaking behind wall? In fact, you can’t immediately find a shower leaking, but when the following “evidence” appears, you’d better pay attention to it.
- The first sign is water stains. When you don’t open the shower valve, but there are obvious water stains on the wall, it’s time to check if your shower is leaking behind the wall.
- It is also an important sign if you smell mold. This indicates that the interior of the bathroom is too humid, and once this problem occurs, you can watch out for the shower leaking behind the wall.
- If you find wall tiles bulging, this could also be a sign of a leaking shower. The wall tiles are likely to bulge due to the shower dripping behind the wall, which means it has been wet inside for a long time.
How to Determine the Exact Leaking Spot
When you have a shower leaking behind a wall, the exact location of the leaking spot is usually not easy to find.
First, you have to check if the shower arm and the valve are leaking against the wall, and if they are, there will be a very visible water stain on the wall.
In most cases, the leaky spot is not close to the valve. You should completely remove the shower plate, which will give you enough room to check the valve connections.
Also, it is just as important to check the plumbing around the valve. So, if possible, you will need to remove a portion of the wall adjacent to the valve. In some modern houses, you can find a pipe access panel. If there is one, it is usually installed in the wall, just behind the shower. With it, you can easily check the plumbing leading to the shower. This will make your job much easier. The only thing you need to do is to take the panel down for inspection.
If there is no pipe access panel, you can cut a small inspection window in the wall so that you can see the plumbing to see the leaking pipe in wall. Don’t worry, it will be a very small loss compared to the shower leaking.
Only by finding the leaky spot can we repair the problem in time to minimize the damage.
How to Fix Shower Leaking Behind Wall
How to fix shower leak in home after you find the leaking spot? We provide you with specific solutions.
Leaking caused by shower arm
If the shower arm is the cause of the leaking behind the wall, that will be an easy fix.
- Remove the round metallic plate that surrounds the shower arm.
- Unscrew the shower arm. It is possible that the leak in the shower is due to the threads not sealing properly.
- Use a wire brush to clean off the old joint compound, wrap the threads with plumbing tape, and then screw the shower arm to the plumbing fitting in the back.
If you find you need a new shower arm, it’s highly recommended to look for a durable, attractive one on MyHomeware, which provides a selection of shower arms with premium quality.
Leaking caused by cartridge
If the shower arm is fine but the valve is leaking, you may need to shut off the water and replace the cartridge.
Leaking caused by broken pipe
If the leaking spot is in the plumbing behind the wall, you will need to follow the following steps to fix it.
- First, you need to mark out the location of the leaking spot, then turn off the valve and cut the leaky pipe.
- Second, add a compression fitting to the cut location and reconnect the pipe back to the original location.
- Finally, you will require glue resin paint to the compression fitting.
This situation is more complicated, a professional and licensed plumber is your best bet.
Shower Leaking Behind Wall Cost
The price of any plumbing job can vary greatly depending on the severity of the leak and the work required to fix a leaky shower. If the job is simple, the price will be relatively inexpensive; if not, the price will be higher. It is a price range that you can refer to:
- $80 to $250 for installing a new shower arm
- $150 to $500 for shower valve replacement.
- The pipe-in-wall repair cost is between $200-$1000.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has given you the information necessary to fix the problem on your own. Remember to take all safety precautions when working with tools and water, and always consult a professional if the shower leaking problem persists or is out of your comfort/skill level.
FAQ About Shower Leaking Behind Wall
Typically, these are some changes that you can feel when a water leak occurs inside the wall:
The room becomes more humid than before.
Water stains appear on the wall or ceiling.
Water drips from the ceiling.
A musty smell.
After a shower leaking behind tiles, it may take a few days or a few weeks to dry the walls. The most important thing is to dry the wall as soon as you inspect the damp walls. Otherwise, you are at risk for mold growth, which can damage your health badly.
Mold and mildew will develop within 48 hours of exposure to water. The worse thing is that it will continue to grow until measures are taken to eliminate the source of moisture and deal with the mold problem effectively. For the sake of your health, please solve the problem of leak behind shower wall immediately.
