How to fix water leaking under tiles?

Question

Hi we had a new home built around four years ago. Unfortunately some of the tiling was not done properly.

We are experiencing water coming through our stone pebble shower floor, under the flat tile edge between where the tiles are glued down and the waterproofing layer. There is no raised edge between the tiled edge and the carpet that it butts up to. They should have made a raised edge/step so that the water could not get through to the walk in robe on the side of the shower.

This edge is a side wall of the shower where there is a glass panel that sits directly on the tiles and is sealed silicone. We also had to repair leaks in the silicone as well both horizontally and vertically hence why we put a silicone trim barrier in case the silicone leaked again. The glass panel has a shower screen trim on all sides.

How can we fix the problem at floor level without pulling out the glass panel? We have tried to get it out once but it won't budge even after taking out most of the silicone. It is very tight and we are scared it will break.

We know we need a raised waterproof barrier but don't know what to do.

EricL · Answer

Hello @NannaP

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your glass properly panel sealed and leak free.

Eric

NannaP · Answer

Hi guys thank you for the advice. Happy to hear that we shouldn't try to move the glass and that re sealing the grout and pebbles as well as resealing the outside of the tile border should fix the problem, fingers crossed. We hope it does work as we live in a rural area in NE Vic and there are no specialist tilers or sealing companies in the area so it will be DIY all way.

Nailbag · Answer

Hi @NannaP

The waterproofing layer prevents water passing through to the sub-floor and walls, but not the surface. It sounds like water maybe making its way between the stones and the grout to the exterior. Typically I would also recommend a leak detection service, but not in this case. Instead I would get a shower re-sealer/re-grouting company to investigate. They can both establish the issues and resolve them for you. Due to increasing damage I would treat this as urgent.

Nailbag