Water Getting Behind Wall Tile And Under Floor Tile Shower

Leaky tiles can occur anywhere where water is used whether it s a shower a wet room or a kitchen splashback.

Water getting behind wall tile and under floor tile shower. The first step to repair shower tile after a leak is to assess the damage to determine how much of the wall has gotten wet. If the house was built from roughly 1965 90 the wall behind the tile is covered with drywall greenboard. Shower base if there are any cracks in the grout or any way for water to flow off the higher portion of the wall behind the tiles or a lack of sealer on the grout the moisture that gets behind the tiles will increase. Paint peeling from the wall in and around the shower is one sign of a leak.

So it is important to use high quality silicone caulk and to ensure a complete seal. The best way to tell if this is your problem is to push down on the floor around the drain. Leaking drainpipes in a shower or a bathroom plug will let water underneath tile. Dripping water would be a key to leaking drainage.

If it gives this may be the problem. Once the sealer is dry seal the gap between the tile and the shower pan or floor with a continuous bead of 100 percent silicone caulk. Tiles and paint dripping or spraying water in the wall will soak the plasterboard or drywall. Those areas are exposed to the most water so damage tends to spread quickly.

But more important that moisture gets past the surface and into the wall. Water getting behind tiles can also damage the tile adhesive which could cause tiles to come loose and possibly fall off the wall altogether. They can often cause damp and mould within surfaces behind tiles and can even threaten the structural integrity of walls so it s important to tackle the issue at the first sign of a leak. Tiles are not perfectly moisture tight even when everything is done right.

The shower floor tile and grout will appear to dry in 24 hours but if your shower was improperly constructed the 1 5 inches or more of deck mud under the shower floor tile will never dry. Eventually the moisture will start wicking up the walls behind the tile and you ll see mold lines at the wall to floor transition on the curb and even in recessed niches if they re exposed to enough direct water. Caulking this joint is critical to keeping water out of the shower wall and preventing future water damage. Leaks typically start along the bottom of the wall where the tile meets the top of the tub or shower pan.