thisplace.com.au - Leaking Showers

Leaking showers and shower screens remain high on the list of defects received at BSA. In fact, showers are the number one recurring defect with 256 notifications received since July 1999.

It is concerning that most of the problems occurring could be avoided with more attention to detail during construction.

Consider the consequences of this defect, inconvenience for the consumer, interfering with the everyday running of the household, the concern about re-occurrence of the problem, the cost rectification and downtime of trades involved in rectification.

Most common problems:

leaks through or around doors.
water penetration behind the tap.
use of standard floor wastes in tiled floors, difficult to seal into the waterproofing system and not providing drainage from the base.
use of "smooth" floor wastes, the membrane does not adhere, so a good seal is not achieved.
timber used to form the hob of the shower, swells and breaks the waterproofing system.
CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenic) or LOSP (Light Organic Solvent Preservative) treated timber used to form the hob, check with manufacturers to see if the system being used for waterproofing is compatible with timber treatment.
the top surface of the hob sloping "out" rather than "in" so that any water passing the seals will be directed outside the shower area.
positioning the screens to the outside edge rather than overhanging the inside edge slightly so that the top of the hob subjected to continual water testing.
leaking tap body washers either not tightened at installation or after maintenance.
nails or screws embedded in pipework, or touching causing corrosion and failure.
no flashing in internal corners behind the wall lining.
use of dissimilar metals in flashings.
no bond breaker at the angles/corners.
wall lining extending too far down into the tray.
nails or screws through the side or bottom of tray.
tiling before membrane is fully cured.
recessed slab method used without any other waterproofing system.

While this may not cover all potential problems, attention to details may save you from costly repairs and assist you in achieving greater customer satisfaction. For more details the AS 3/40-1994 Waterproofing of Wet Areas within Residential Buildings provides valuable information on construction techniques.

Source: BSA - Building Services Authority