leaky tiled showers leaking tile shower

General Information/ FAQ'S

What you need to know before building a tile shower on-site.

The traditional method of constructing a tile shower has for many years been to build them on-site. There are 3 main steps constructing the 'bones' of this type of tile shower.

Step 1. A base for water drainage and tiling must be constructed. There are three possible base options.

Concrete Plaster -- The most common method is to form the base with a concrete plaster -- this takes much skill and more often than not they are not formed correctly, causing inconsistent drainage and 'ponding' of water. Constant immersion of many tile adhesives can cause a breakdown of the adhesive resulting in loose tiles. Also, mould will tend to grow where water is constantly sitting.

Be aware that weak concrete-plaster mixes can crack causing a catastrophic failure of the paint-on waterproofing. Excessive structural movement of the substrate can also cause a plaster base to crack and open up a paint-on membrane.

Foam -- A newer method is to install a high-density foam shower base -- they are cut to shape and serve as a pre-formed drainage slope and a substrate for tiling. Any joins in the foam can be problematic if not glued down adequately.

Timber -- Shaping the timber floor to create the drainage slope and provide a substrate for tiling.

Step 2. The base joins, corners and around the drain need to be reliably waterproofed. Usually a tiler or waterproofing company will perform this step.

Step 3. After tiling is completed a glazier will measure and install a frameless glass enclosure.

Although this seems a straight-forward process many tile showers constructed this way leak because of common failures with the waterproofing such as;

1. The concrete plaster base cracks (as concrete is prone to do) and splits the waterproofing membrane.

2. The membranes are often too thin and inflexible to cope with building or usage movement .

3. Failures due to human error and/ or negligence; even experienced installers have failures due to atmospheric conditions, and/ or abuse by other trades and tilers, prior-to or during tile installation.

It can be difficult to locate the source of a leak, and equally difficult and often impossible to remove tiles and join new paint-on membrane to the existing. For this reason it is advisable to rip-out and rebuild a leaking shower.

The gradual introduction of new council regulations and liabilities associated with waterproofing has seen many tiler-waterproofers move away from waterproofing altogether and specialise in tiling only.

Homeowners deserve a greater assurance of watertightness. The stile™ one-piece leak-proof tray and DryShiled™ wall waterproofing membrane can withstand the rigors of a normal building site and virtually any possible abuse, guaranteeing that you will never have a leaking shower. stile™ comes complete with a frameless glass enclosure, and a 25 Year Leak-proof Guarantee.

What you need to know about waterproofing a tiled shower built on-site

The waterproofing systems listed below are commonly used and frequently fail. They are typically applied to a shower floor constructed of concrete (sand/ cement) , plywood, or high-density polyurethane foam.

Liquid paint-on membranes -- most manufacturers of acrylic-based coatings specify 2-3 coats over the shower floor/ wall substrates. Often a polyester bandage, fibreglass cloth or random glass fibre mat is used in vertical/ horizontal corners for reinforcement. Because the coating is neither thick enough nor pliable enough, a number of detrimental events can occur, all resulting in devastating leaks -- they are (a) pinholes in the coating (b) excessive building movement causing cracking of the membrane (c) installers/ tilers not providing enough drying/ hardening time of the paint before tiling commencement (d) paint-on membranes can be material 'sensitive' i.e. a softening of the paint or a poor adhesion to metallic and plastic surfaces such as drain/ waste outlets.

Resin/ glass fibre reinforced -- these materials seem 'bullet-proof' however experience shows the resin can be too rigid and stress-cracking can occur due to timber flooring-joint movement, normal usage movement, and subsequent cracks in concrete slabs, all allowing leaks to form. Some well used products do not adhere to the plastic tile flange and can allow 'wicking' - this is when the water seeps under the waterproofing causing it to leak.

Sheet Membranes --polyvinyl (pvc) and polyethylene (cpe) materials themselves are good moisture barriers, but any joins and sealing around drains are dependent on the quality of the glue and the expertise of the installer or his helper. A difficult task even for experienced installers!

Fibreglass shower trays -- can be subject to 'osmosis' (a common problem with fibreglass boats), a process where water seeps through the gel-coat surface, into the glass fibre reinforcement and eventually onto the bathroom flooring and framing.

stile™ Shower Tray and DryShield™ Wall Sheet Membrane

A stile™ one-piece shower tray is the true leakproof method for shower floors. Made from marine-grade aluminium, it is unaffected by building and usage movement, inexperienced or unskilled installers, installation temperatures/ drying times, job-site abuse, chemicals, etc...

DryShield™* is the perfect complement to the tray providing an excellent waterproofing membrane and surface for the shower wall tile. A high-quality sheet membrane, consisting of a strong polyester reinforced mesh impregnated with a thick rubberized adhesive backing, it provides superior waterproofing and anti-fracture capabilities. Applied to the shower walls, the membrane's adhesive-to-adhesive properties effectively form a monolithic one-piece membrane across the wall surfaces totally eliminating leaks. Manufactured in the U.S., the membrane is endorsed by:

Fully appraised and approved in New Zealand by BRANZ (appraisal No. 461* Protecto-Wrap)
Ceramic Tile Distributors Assoc. USA *
Tile Contractors Assoc. of America Inc. USA *
Materials & Methods Standards Assoc. USA*
National Tile Contractors Assoc. Inc. USA *
Included in council lists of approved waterproofing membranes.
Producer Statement and Product Warranty provided.

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Tile Showers - Cost Comparisons
stile™ vs. on-site build tile shower construction

The stile™ shower system consists of a one-piece tray, sheet wall membrane, and frameless glass enclosure -- the cost of an installed stile™ shower maybe slightly more than traditional on-site construction methods but is a wise investment ensuring you a completely leakproof shower -Guaranteed. *Prices are estimated.

• • •

Tiling -- General Facts

Ceramic Tile/ Water Absorption

Glazed ceramic and semi-vitrified porcelain tiles are porous and are a covering only -- they provide no waterproofing as they absorb water which passes through to the floor or wall substrate below.

Grout Porosity

The cement grout between tiles is also very absorbent and allows water to pass to the substrate below. A grout sealer can be applied to prevent water absorption into the grout, but absorption through the tile edges may still occur. Cracked grout or loose tiles can often be a sign of substrate movement/ swelling caused by a failure of the waterproof membrane.

Grout and mould growth

Tiles in a shower should be installed with an un-sanded, mould-resistant/ anti fungal grout and a sealer applied to the grout. Along with adequate cleaning and periodic spraying of a water/ bleach solution, or similar commercially available product, the chance of mould growth is greatly diminished. If maintained with a simple regimen, grouting will remain clean and intact for many, many years.

• • •

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do traditional on-site built showers leak?
Most tiled showers are waterproofed with acrylic-based paint-on membranes which are often too thin and inflexible, however leaking can occur for many reasons -- detrimental ambient conditions/ poor drying between coats; insufficient coating coverage; over-use of glass fibre reinforcement/ insufficient coverage thereof; structural movement between the shower base and walls causing cracks in the membrane; cracks in concrete-plaster bases and joins of foam bases causing acrylic paint-on and polyester resin coatings to split. In some instances the membrane resins are prone to breaking-down. Many showers are constructed using the wrong type of drain/ wastes, some of which have been designed for use with plastic shower trays. Membranes such as polyester/ fibre glass resin do not even adhere to the most commonly used drain-flange meaning water can seep under the waterproofing from day one!

Should I use my tiler to waterproof or contract a professional waterproofing company?
Whilst some tilers are conscientious, many do not take the matter seriously enough. They simply purchase a paint-on membrane from a tile outlet and begin. Even professional waterproofing companies have their failures. Many leaks are due to acrylic-based paint-on membranes being simply too thin and inflexible, but leaking can be due to many reasons -- as mentioned above. Then there are many self-taught 'cowboys', some of whom have been around for a long time leaving destruction in their wake.

The DryShield™ waterproofing membrane supplied with the stileTM shower system is consistently thick. Applied as a dry peel-n-stick sheet it is ready for tiling immediately after application. It is also an anti-fracture-membrane absorbing any structural movement eliminating cracking of the tiles and grout.

The few tile shops I have visited recommend their brand off waterproofing - who do I believe?
The retailers are rarely involved in the waterproofing application and the resulting problems, and consequently do not appreciate the huge problem of leaking showers. Their focus is on selling product -- namely tiles. Most salespeople have only a limited knowledge of tiles and tile installation, let-alone waterproofing and general construction. Leaking showers have been notorious for decades, but because their rebuilding is generally $4000+, not $400,000 as with leaky homes, little emphasis is given to the problem in the industry or the news media.

What is the cost to waterproof a traditionally- built tile shower?
A shower base and 2 walls generally cost $300 - $400 + gst. A base and 3 walls approx. $400 - $500 + gst. To complete the shower base you will need to add the cost of a tile flange/ drain grate and gully trap under the shower.

Does a pre-formed foam base need waterproofing?
Yes -- the foam is closed-cell foam but requires waterproofing of all joins and corners and as such is prone to all the potential problems associated with waterproofing of showers.

What about a foam base with frameless glass shower kit - how does the price compare to a stile™?
Actually, a stile™ system is very similar in cost to a foam base/ glass unit once you purchase the additional components that are not included such as waterproofing, trap, tile-flange, and drain grate. The stile™ shower comes complete with all the required components for a complete, watertight shower offering better value when you consider the one-piece tray is guaranteed leak-proof for 25 years. With the foam/ glass shower kit the warranty of the shower base is dependent upon the reliability of the waterproofing and applicator.

We have heard of tiles and grout cracking where a foam base was used --what is the problem?
Sounds like the foam base was not glued down sufficiently with good, even coverage. 'Hollows' can be created under the base causing flexing when you stand on it, especially so with smaller tiles.

The waste outlet/ drain grate in the centre of my shower flexes when I stand on it - will this cause a problem?
The movement will over time very likely result in a fracture of the paint-on waterproofing causing a leak. Either the tile flange, waste, trap, or all three have not been installed correctly causing movement.

Is a leaking shower on a concrete slab floor a problem?
Generally speaking, it is a problem as the leak may be at a floor/ wall junction and the water will begin rotting the timber framing and even the floor covering in adjacent rooms. Leaks also occur around the waste -- the water will run in any direction given the smallest amount of slope in the concrete slab, once again with disastrous consequences.

My builder has done plenty of showers and says he has never had a leak. Why should I consider a stile™ shower?
Your builder may have never had a leak that he knows of, but that is quite different to not having caused one. A properly constructed leak-proof tile shower should last you a lifetime, whereas a poorly constructed shower can leak from day one and require replacing within months. Should the leak not be noticeable for years it may cause costly structural damages to the home. In all the years we have been supplying and installing showers we have never heard a tiler/ builder admit to having built a shower that leaked yet we are involved in many dozens of shower rebuilds every year. Ask any plumber and they will tell you how huge the problem of leaking showers is.

Can I save money by having my tiler/ builder construct a concrete/ or foam base, and either the tiler doing his own waterproofing or the builder contracting a waterproofing company, and using a glazier to supply and install the glass enclosure?
This method is mistakenly considered the least expensive method of constructing a tile shower. The shower base may be constructed a little cheaper, but it may have a high chance of waterproofing failure. Constructing and waterproofing a tiled shower is something that should not be done based on the cheapest price. When all the components required to build the shower are added up, the difference in cost compared to a stile™ shower is not great - the cost to have a glazier install a frameless glass enclosure will not offer any savings or advantage over a complete stile™ shower system. Our glass enclosures and hardware are top quality, designed with ample tolerances for out-of-plumb walls, and ease of installation for certified installers or builders, all backed by our warranty making stile™ well worth the peace-of-mind leak-proof advantages you will receive. A stile™ shower is an investment in your home -- you will reap the benefits two-fold -- one being a quality, luxurious, leak-free tiled shower and the other is, when selling your home, you are able to state to a prospective home buyer and their property inspector that the shower in an Impresa stile™ shower.

How does the glass enclosure in a stile™ compare to the glass a glazier supplies?
The glass used in stile™ shower enclosures is supplied by NZ's major glass suppliers and naturally it conforms to all relevant New Zealand and Australian Standards. The glass is toughened to make it safe for showers and wet areas.

Why should I choose a more expensive tiled shower over a less expensive acrylic shower?
Besides the obvious reason that it will look amazing, a quality tiled shower system initially will cost more than an acrylic shower, however over a number of years a tile shower system with frameless glass, chrome-on-brass hinges, stainless steel handles -- all set against quality tiles will, with moderate maintenance, still look as good as the day it was installed, thus adding value to your home. A frameless glass enclosure is easier to clean than a framed enclosure which is constructed from powder-coated aluminium with many nooks and crannies (toothbrush cleaning territory) - the surface can become dull and scratched from cleaning and use, as well as eventual corrosion caused by cleaning chemicals and water sitting in the frame. In short, a plastic/ framed shower will look tired after a few years use.

Are stile™ showers available in various sizes and shapes and what about custom glass configurations?
We offer stile™ in over 30 different tray sizes and shapes, threshold or level entry and can customize the glass and tray to suit your requirements. Call us for further discussion and pricing.

Can I install a level-entry stile™ shower onto my concrete floor?
Most definitely. It requires the cutting of the concrete slab, but given the correct machinery or contractor, the job is not difficult and the cost is not great. Please note our level-entry showers have a small, virtually unnoticeable 18mm step down into the tray. The 18mm step contains the moisture which is ever-present under the tiles and also helps prevent water runoff from the door spilling out onto the bathroom floor. The step of 18mm, if desired, can be virtually eliminated during the tiling process by lifting the tiles slightly, bringing them close to flush with the bathroom floor.

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