How we narrow it down
Dry the enclosure completely, then run water only into the waste with a jug, avoiding the walls. If the leak returns, it is the waste or trap connection - the cheapest of the four fixes.
Next, flood the tray with the waste blanked and leave it standing. If the level drops, the tray or its seal has failed.
Finally, spray the walls only. A leak that appears only at this stage points to grout, sealant or missing waterproofing behind the tiles.
What each repair actually involves
Waste or trap: access from below where possible, or lift one row of tiles. Usually a half-day job.
Tray seal: strip the silicone bead, cut back the bottom tile row, refit with a proper upstand or seal tape kit, re-tile and re-seal.
Cracked or flexing tray: replacement. A tray that flexes was bedded badly or unsupported, so the floor build-up gets corrected at the same time.
Failed waterproofing: this is the one where a repair is often false economy - see our wet room and tanking pages before spending money twice.
When replacement is the cheaper decision
If the enclosure is over ten years old, the tray flexes underfoot and the grout is already crumbling, a repair buys you a year or two at best.
Because the tiling has to come off for a proper tray fix anyway, the incremental cost of a full shower replacement is far smaller than most people expect once labour is counted once instead of twice.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fix a leaking shower without removing tiles?
Sometimes - if the source is the waste, trap or the silicone bead, we can work from below or from the bead alone. If the tray itself or the waterproofing has failed, tiles have to come off.
How long does a shower tray replacement take?
Typically one to two days, depending on whether the floor needs levelling and how much tiling has to be reinstated.
Will the ceiling below need repairing too?
Often yes. We can advise on whether the plasterboard has to come down or whether it will dry out and take a skim.
Do you charge to diagnose a leak?
Our on-site survey and quote are free. Any invasive investigation work is agreed with you in advance.
Can a leaking shower tray be fixed without replacing it?
Often, if the problem is the seal or the waste connection. A cracked or flexing tray needs replacing, and the tray is then bedded properly so it does not move again.
Next step
Send us a photo of the stain and we will tell you which of the four causes it most likely is.
Free quote • No pressure • Fast response