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Top Signs Your Shower Is Leaking Behind the Wall
At Leak Hunters, we often get calls from homeowners who had no idea their shower was leaking behind the wall until the damage became obvious. Unlike surface leaks, hidden leaks can go unnoticed for months or even years. By the time the signs appear, the water may have already spread into walls, floors, and adjoining rooms.
If you know what to look for, you can catch these leaks early and avoid major repair costs. Here are the most common signs your shower is leaking behind the wall, based on what we see every day in Newcastle homes.
Soft or Warped Walls Near the Shower
When water escapes behind the tiles or through failed waterproofing, it often saturates the wall structure. If you press lightly on the wall near your shower and it feels soft, spongy, or uneven, that usually means water has already been absorbed into the plaster or timber. Warping or bubbling paint is another common sign we see in homes with hidden leaks.
Mould or Musty Smells Around the Bathroom
A hidden shower leak almost always creates moisture trapped behind the wall. This creates the perfect environment for mould. Even if you do not see visible mould, a musty or damp smell is often the first warning sign your shower is leaking behind the wall. If that smell comes back quickly after cleaning, the source is usually hidden.
Loose, Cracked, or Hollow Tiles
Tiles affected by hidden leaks often lose their bond to the wall. If your tiles move when touched, crack easily, or sound hollow when tapped, the adhesive may have already been damaged by water. This is one of the most reliable signs of a shower leak behind the wall because tiles should never shift under normal conditions.
Water Stains on Ceilings or Adjacent Rooms
For upstairs bathrooms, water leaking behind the wall often travels downward and appears as stains on the ceiling below. For ground floor bathrooms, moisture may show up in the room next door. We regularly find swelling or discolouration in hallway walls or wardrobes when a shower has been leaking behind the wall for some time.
Persistent Dampness Even After the Shower Dries
If the wall near your shower always feels damp, even hours after the last shower was used, there is likely a constant leak behind the tiles. This type of dampness is not caused by steam or surface moisture. Instead, it means water is slowly escaping from behind the wall and has no way to evaporate.
Peeling or Bubbling Paint
Water behind the wall can cause paint to lift, bubble, or peel. We often see this happen on the opposite side of the shower wall rather than inside the shower itself. If a wall in the bedroom, hallway, or laundry shares a wall with the shower and the paint is damaged, a hidden leak is one of the first things we investigate.
Swollen Skirting Boards or Door Frames
Timber absorbs moisture quickly. If the skirting boards near the bathroom or the door frames feel swollen, soft, or uneven, it may indicate water escaping behind the wall. Long term leaks can cause timber to rot or warp, which is why early detection is so important.
Increased Water Bills Without Obvious Reason
Another subtle clue is a sudden rise in your water usage. If your water bill has gone up and nothing else has changed in your home, a hidden plumbing leak behind the wall may be to blame. We often diagnose these types of leaks using thermal imaging and moisture detection tools.
When to Call Leak Hunters
A shower leaking behind the wall is rarely a DIY fix. By the time you notice the signs, the leak has usually spread far beyond the surface. Here is when you should contact us for professional leak detection.
- You see damage in multiple rooms or walls
- Tiles are loose or hollow
- Mould comes back quickly after cleaning
- The source of moisture is unclear
- You want to avoid removing unnecessary tiles
At Leak Hunters, we use non invasive leak detection methods to locate the exact source of the problem. Once identified, we can repair the leak and prevent further structural damage.
A shower leaking behind the wall can be one of the most expensive types of water damage if left untreated. By understanding the early warning signs, you can take action before the problem becomes severe. If you have noticed any of the symptoms listed above, the safest option is to have the leak assessed by professionals.
At Leak Hunters, we can detect and repair hidden shower leaks quickly and effectively, giving you peace of mind and protecting your home from long term damage. Contact our professional team today!
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