Sealing your leaking shower is a very simple task that can be completed DIY using materials available at your local hardware store. This process is as simple as painting a liquid onto the tiles and grout with a paint brush. No tiles need to be removed, and any cracks in the surface (if there are any) can be filled with grout. If that sounds easy, then follow this DIY guide and your leaking shower problems will be solved.
Materials required
- Shower Plug penetrating sealer
- Brush (use a natural bristle brush only, because plastic/artificial bristles will leech colour)
- Cloth (any absorbent rag will do)
- Detergent, bleach or vinegar and necessary equipment to clean the surfaces.
An appropriate natural bristle brush
Shower Plug 220ml will cover one shower of 7m².
Shower Plug 1L will cover up to 30m².
5L and 20L containers are available as well.
Optional materials (if your grout needs repair):
- A grout rake, stanley knife or other metal tool to scrape grout out
- Regular superfine grout or sand cement grout with application tools
- Silicone joint sealant.
This tough old screwdriver will do a fine job of removing grout.
Preparation to repair a leaking shower
Sealing grout
If the grout has holes or cracks greater than a hairline in width, you will need to repair them. This is included in the guide below. If the grout is in good condition, you can skip this section.
Repairing damaged grout:
Patch any holes or cracks in the grout with regular superfine or sand cement grout by following the instructions on the package.
If the grout is extensively damaged – if it is sunken in, loose, cracked, crumbling, full of holes, brittle or hollow like in the images below – remove it. There are many power tools that can be used here, but you can do this job by using a grout rake or suitable metal tool. When the grout is removed, vacuum or sweep up the dust and then apply new grout.
Let the grout dry fully. This will take at least four hours.
The grout in this wall can be described as ‘surface grout’; hollow, brittle, crumbly old grout with holes in it. Scraping this worn grout out reveals how thin it is.
The grout along the joint between the wall and the floor in this photo is sinking down, crumbling away like loose sand, there are gaps greater than a hairline in width, and they’re likely to get worse. Repairing this would be necessary, and later we will mould silicone along the joint to seal against building movement.
Cleaning
Use bleach, detergent or vinegar to scrub away any grime, mould, dirt, etc. and then allow the surface to dry. The surface needs to be totally clear and dry for the liquid Shower Plug to be painted on.
Application of Shower Plug to fix a leaking shower
The tiles and grout need to be rendered waterproof if the leak is to be fixed. For this, we will apply Shower Plug sealant. You can start by pouring it into a tray or bucket.*
- Brush Shower Plug onto the tiles with a natural-bristle brush. Wait 5 minutes.
- Apply a second coat to the same areas. Wait 5 minutes.
- Wipe any excess Shower Plug off with a clean cloth.
- Allow the Shower Plug to cure for 12 hours before using the shower again.
*We recommend testing Shower Plug on an inconspicuous area prior to application to ensure satisfaction.
Post-application of sealing your shower
We recommend applying a silicone strip to the joint where the wall and floor meet. This is to safeguard against any cracks developing due to structural movement in the future. Follow the instructions on the package. At the end of the full treatment including silicone application, the joint should look like this:
That’s it. Once the Shower Plug has cured, the shower is now fully water-repellent, protected from mould growth, easier to clean and will remain that way for a minimum of 10 years.
Enjoy!
Seal your tiles with Shower Plug
Designed, produced and tested in Australia to the highest standards, Shower Plug is the original sealant for your leaking shower and lasts at least 10 years. It will form an invisible, water-repellent barrier that protects any tiled or masonry surface.
Purchase Shower Plug at your local Bunnings warehouse in Australia or order online now, and have it delivered within Australia or internationally.
