Leaking Shower Exposes the Real Cost of Cutting Corners

Leaking Shower Repair: The Situation

In late 2022, a homeowner in Ormeau had their ensuite and bathroom floors “refreshed” by a tiler who offered to lay new tiles over the existing ones — no demolition, no grinding, no priming, no waterproofing. At the time, it seemed like a cost-effective, simple update.

Less than two years later, the grout between the wall and floor was deteriorating. Mould started forming, and the new grout in the ensuite shower was visibly running away. The homeowner reached out to us, hoping for a quick shower repairs — but what we found beneath the surface told a different story.

What Went Wrong

The previous tiler tiled directly over the original shower base without installing any waterproofing membrane — a major risk in wet areas. Our inspection revealed:

• Very high moisture readings in the shower base and walls
• Visible grout failure between wall and floor junctions
• A failed breach piece in the plumbing, confirmed by our licensed plumber
• Water pooling between the two layers of tiles — enough to flow like a stream when lifted

It was clear that the shower was leaking from multiple points, with water becoming trapped due to poor grouting and a lack of drainage under the surface.

Can You Tile Over Tile in a Shower?

Technically, yes — tiling over tile is possible in some areas if the original tiles are in perfect condition, and if the right preparation is done: thorough grinding, priming with a high-performance bonding agent, and waterproofing all joins and junctions properly.

But in showers, it’s rarely worth the risk. Most contractors who offer tile-over-tile don’t take these extra steps — they skip the grinding, skip the priming, and definitely don’t waterproof. The result? Water gets in between the layers and becomes trapped, just like it did in Lauren’s case.

By the time you’ve done tile prep the right way, it’s usually more efficient and reliable to demo the tiles and start fresh. That way, we can assess the substrate underneath, install a new membrane, and guarantee a watertight result that lasts for years.

Our Solution

We carried out a full shower retiling service, including:

• Demolition of both tile layers
• Re-waterproofing and screeding to Australian standards
• Fresh tile installation with epoxy grouting using our FlexiShield™ system
• Plumbing repairs and breach replacement
• Removal and reinstallation of the existing shower screen
• A 15-year workmanship warranty backed by QBCC insurance

To prevent future issues in the other bathroom, we also sealed the hob in the main bathroom shower using our FlexiShield™ system — a fast, non-invasive solution to help stop leaks before they start.

The Lesson

This wasn’t a happy occasion for the client — she had already paid once for a job that failed. But it’s a story we see often: when corners are cut in wet areas, the damage doesn’t show up until it’s too late.

By choosing a qualified team that specialises in shower repair and waterproofing, this homeowner now has peace of mind that the job was done right — and won’t need fixing again in a few months’ time.

[Video below]

Get Expert Advice

Had a bad experience with a previous tiler or contractor? You’re not alone.

We’ve helped countless homeowners who were left disappointed, out of pocket, or unsure who to trust next. At Allspex Tiling, we pride ourselves on honest advice, real solutions, and no-pressure service. Whether you’re dealing with a leaking shower, failed grout, or just need a second opinion — we’ll tell it to you straight and only recommend what’s needed.

Call us today on 0401 481 775 or email us

We’re happy to take a look and give you peace of mind.

March 11, 2024

Ormeau, QLD

15 Years

1 Week

$10,000