Shower Niech Leak & House Wall Gap

Question

Dear Bunnings

Hope you can help me out with two issues:

* My shower niche was leaking and has been epoxy sealed and regrouted as a temp fix. I've been told to cover it up and not use it. Can you please advise what waterproof material is best to cover this up and what waterproof tape ? Thanks

2. There's a gap between the wall and skirting in one area of my home. I've read that this happens over time due to movement. Do I just use a filler to fill the gap ? Thanks

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @judessc,

As long as it is only temporary, you could use a sheet of corflute such as this

https://www.bunnings.com.au/3mm-corflute-white-900-x-600mm_p0390160

and tape the perimeter with some

https://www.bunnings.com.au/fix-it-fast-repair-tape-100mm-x-5m-aluminium-waterproof-flashing-tape_p0592336

, noting that it is extremely sticky and upon removal, you may need to use some adhesive remover to get it and any residue off of the tiles.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

judessc · Answer

@JacobZ Appreciate your advice on both matters. With the shower niech I want to cover it temporarily untill I get it fixed. Can you please recommend a suitable polythene or other product and waterproof taping ? Thank you.

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @judessc ,

For the shower niche, it’s unfortunately not a simple case of covering or filling it with a waterproof product. If the niche has been leaking, the proper fix would involve closing it in by framing it out, installing suitable sheeting, applying a waterproofing membrane that ties into the surrounding membrane, and then retiling over the area. Unfortunately, the process to close this nieche is essentially to bring it back to the framing and then build out from there, which is not a simple process. My suggestion would be to contact a tiler or waterproofer for their assistance with this process.

For the gap along your wall, it looks like the skirting board may have come loose rather than just normal shrinkage. I’d suggest re fixing it back to the wall with nails or adhesive, then filling any nail holes and running a bead of caulk along the top edge to close the gap and give a neat finish. Check out

https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/walls/how-to-install-skirting-boards

for some guidance as the process would be much the same as installing skirting new.

If you didn't want to go to the effort of refixing the skirting, then you can use foam filler rod and No More Gaps, but from experience, a gap that large will not look great if it is just caulked.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob