Bathroom Leaks and Bathroom Leak Repairs

Our experts use a wide range of tests to detect bathroom and shower leaks. Moisture surveys and salts analysis are usually carried out first. Results highlight the extent of the problem and confirmation the leak is from plumbing pipes.

The presence of a leak on either hot/cold water pipes, or the heating system, can be checked by pressure testing. Thermal imaging cameras are used to highlight temperature gradients beneath floors or behind walls. Borescope cameras can show evidence of leaks inside wall cavities and ceiling voids, or in any tight space.

Tracer gas

Tracer gas is a reliable method of pinpointing the position of a leak in plumbing or heating pipes. Firstly the pipes are drained, then an inert gas mix is released into the system.

The gas is lighter than air and rises quickly. It can penetrate any bathroom floor covering, including tiled floors. A probe is used to detect gas particles as they escape.

The test is safe to use on drinking water pipes. It’s odourless and doesn’t leave a residue.

Flood tests

Silicone sealant that’s damaged, or was poorly applied, are common causes of bathroom floors leaking water. A thermal imaging camera is used to test for faulty seals around bathtubs and showers. Hot water is poured on target test areas. The camera highlights the exact flow of the hot water.

Small leaks may not be immediately obvious to the naked eye. However, small amounts of water being released in the small place can cause damage over time. Leaky shower doors and shower screen seals, where they’re attached to the wall, are checked in the same way.

Dye tests

Fluorescent dyes can be used if a tub drain is suspected of being the source of a leak under a bath. Escape of the dye highlights the exact position of drain leaks. A water soluble dye solution is released in a wastewater pipe.

The dye is visible to the eye and can often be picked up with a borescope camera. UV lamps can also be used to detect the dye in very low concentrations. It means the source of a leak can be detected in this way before water droplets begin to form.

Bathroom and shower leaks only need to release a small amount of water each time to cause an ongoing problem. Water will accumulate on a bathroom floor without fully drying. Over time the visual evidence of a leak in a room below will grow.

It’s important not to ignore bathroom and shower leaks. Damage to the structure of property could be happening that’s far more significant than the visual signs might suggest.

Trying to expose a bathroom or shower leak where there’s a damp patch might sometimes reveal it straightaway. However, there’s no guarantee of this. Our tradespeople have seen the unnecessary damage created from this type of search many times.

Water will often track along pipes, joists etc. It means a damp patch can appear some distance from the leak itself. Therefore, a destructive exploration can cause unnecessary damage.

Insurance companies usually insist on the trace and access approach to check for leaks that we use when a claim is being made.

Once we’ve detected a bathroom or shower leak the repair and refurbishment work can begin. We have years of experience refurbishing bathrooms. Depending on the scale of work needed, we can allocate a Project Manager to oversee the work.

Reinstatement will be covered as part of an “escape of water” insurance claim. We’ll provide a detailed scope of work and a fixed price quote to complete it.

We have specialist tradespeople ready to help with every part of your refurbishment work. This includes carpenters, plasterers, tilers, painter decorators and of course emergency plumbers!