Shower is leaking thru onto back wall causing plaster to get soft and crumbling
Hi @appelbeejack,
What you’re describing goes beyond a simple reseal. The fact that water is leaking through onto the back wall and causing the plaster to soften and crumble usually means either there’s an active leak in the pipework behind the wall, or the shower waterproofing membrane has failed, allowing water to escape. This isn’t something that can be fixed by just applying new silicone or sealant.
To address it properly, the damaged plasterboard will need to be cut away so the wall cavity can be inspected and the source of the leak identified. A leak detection specialist can be very helpful in pinpointing whether the problem is the plumbing or the waterproofing. Once the source is confirmed, you’ll likely need to involve a licensed plumber to repair any leaking pipes, and potentially a waterproofing expert and tiler to remove the shower tiles, reinstate the waterproof membrane, and then retile the shower area.
This is a multi-step repair that ensures the leak is properly fixed and prevents further damage, rather than just masking the problem with a new seal.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
