Why You Shouldn’t Delay Fixing Your Leaking Shower
Without the immediate threat of a burst pipe or gushing water, fixing a leaking shower might not seem like priority number one. After all, a leaking shower isn’t always easy to spot, and the repercussions aren’t always obvious—until it’s too late.
Left unrepaired, a leaking shower can cause all sorts of problems, some of which can end up costing you a fortune in the future. Here’s why:
Higher water costs
Utilities account for a significant portion of most home expenses. With the cost of living going through the roof, the last thing you need right now is another excessive water bill.
Unfortunately, with fixed utility costs being what they are, the only way to take control is by reducing your usage—and that means making sure you don’t let your hard-earned dollars drip down the drain.
While a small drip sounds insignificant, it might be a shock to know that ten drops per minute add up to over 1,000 litres per year. And the heavier the leak, the higher the bill.
Increased risk of mould
Nobody wants mould in their home, not just because of the nasty smell and ugly appearance. Regular exposure to mould can cause health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with allergies or asthma.
If you keep your bathroom surfaces free from standing water—and regularly run your extractor fans and open the windows—yet still see mould appear, there’s a good chance you have a leak behind your shower wall or under the tiles.
In this case, no amount of store-bought chemicals or home remedies will solve the problem. Instead, it’s time to call in your local shower repair service, which will quickly and effectively get to the root of the problem.
Structural damage
This is the big one. The effect of those small drips compounds until you find yourself with severe water damage to your home.
Signs of minor damage include paint peeling on the walls, cracked tiles, and deteriorating grout. However, these can quickly turn into rotting timber in your home structure or leaks from the upper floors to the rooms below. In the worst cases, we’ve even seen water damage cause separation between the wall and floor junctions, causing the building structure to shift.
May attract pests
Pests are a common problem here in Australia, and the worst offenders are attracted to your home in search of food and shelter. Some pests, such as termites and cockroaches, actively seek out moist, humid environments to lay their eggs—which is when the real problems arise.
Not only can termites lead to structural problems, but they may also cause issues when you sell the property later. Conversely, cockroaches can pose a serious health risk, spreading bacteria and triggering allergies.
If you’ve spotted pests on your property, there’s a chance it could be because of a water leak. If that’s the case, it might be time to fix that leaky shower.
Environmental impact
We mentioned how ten drips per minute from a single tap or shower head accumulate over 1,000 litres of water annually. Combine all the leaking taps across the country, and that’s a lot of wasted water.
As our droughts and wildfires intensify, we all need to do our part in helping to save water—easing pressure on the climate, our farmers, and our natural resources.
So, what actually causes a leaking shower?
We’ve talked through the common problems a leaking shower can cause, but it might also help to understand why they happen in the first place. 99% of the time, a leaking shower is the result of everyday wear and tear—and through no fault of the owner—in the form of:
Worn O-rings: the O ring is a small disk that supports the joint that connects the stem and tap handle. O rings can quickly wear out, at which point they can come loose and cause a leak.
Valve corrosion: Valve seats connect the tap to the compression spout. As sediment accumulates in the valve seat, the spout can start leaking.
Worn-out washers: While your shower is in use, the washer is pressed against the seat, leading to friction. Over time, the washer gets worn out, resulting in leakage near the spout.
Got a shower leak?
If you suspect you’ve got a leaking shower, don’t delay fixing it. Our friendly team at Shower Solutions is here to help, offering fast response time and quick, effective fixes for your shower and plumbing needs.
