Shower installation, Replacement & Repairs

Showers play an important role in every bathroom, especially if you coming home from a tiring day of work. Facing issues like a shower leak or slowing dripping shower can be very frustrating in fact.  Shower sets also come with different shower heads, and they should be properly installed to prevent such plumbing issues. If you need to install or replace your shower sets, do contact Mr Plumber Singapore as we are experienced in plumbing installations and other plumbing services as well. WhatsApp us at +65 8241 0032 to schedule an appointment.

Types of Showers

Table of content (Click on the sub-topic to go to that segment)

• What causes shower leaks?
• Signs of shower leakage
• Shower head replacement tips
• Preventing shower leaks
• How to fix a shower unit leak
• Case study
• FAQs of shower replacement/repair
• Shower repair in Singapore with Mr Plumber

What causes shower leaks?

Most shower leaks in Singapore are linked to wear and tear from temperature changes and sometimes natural shifting of a building. These shower leaks could cause water to enter the bathroom tiles and drip into the walls, ceiling, and other parts of the house. Water damage from such leakage can be severe and most times a shower leak repair can be an expensive and time-consuming project.

Another cause of shower leak is when the seals of the shower head are broken down. This also leads to waste of water and sometimes water damage.

Building movements can also contribute to shower leaks. Although it sounds improbable, the ground does move over time. When it happens, it will affect the building, causing it to move slightly. So, when the building moves, joints may loosen, cracks may appear on the floor or wall, and floors may become uneven. These damages may cause the waterproofing seals to break apart leading to leakages.

When materials or equipment are not aligned properly, over time it will loosen due to water pressure and movement, causing leaks to happen. For example, if the shower joints are not tightened properly, with time, the water pressure will cause the joints to loosen and leakage can occur.

The use of a strong cleaning agent may also lead to leakage. Most shower materials will have a layer of waterproofing agent to help waterproof the item. The use of a strong cleaning agent may cause the waterproofing agent to wear away at a faster rate and the shower material to degrade eventually. So, it would be wise to choose your cleaning agents carefully.

Shower components and equipment not aligning can cause leakages, as mentioned earlier. But even if the components and equipment are aligned properly, if the materials are of poor quality, this can also lead to an early leakage situation.

Bad tiling of the bathroom tile will also cause leakage to happen because water can seep through the misalignment and get to the other side, causing a leak. Even with a waterproofing agent, if there is a gap in the tiles, a leak is unavoidable.

Signs of shower leakage

Now that you understand the various causes of shower leakages, if you suspect that you have a leakage going on, you may want to look out for the following signs that are evident of a shower leakage:

• Rotting smell

If the flooring in your home is made up of wood, and there is a smell of rot in the air every time you pass by a certain area near the shower, this can be a clear sign of leakage. This is because when leakage occurs, and water comes into contact with wood, this will cause a growth in wood-loving microorganisms which will ‘consume’ the wood very slowly, causing it to rot.

• Wall damage

The wall directly behind the shower can be damaged when there is a leakage. You may detect this when you observe paint bubbling or even paint peeling on the wall. You may even see wet stains on the wall if not paint related signs.

• Grout missing

If you happen to see any grout missing in your shower, it can mean that leakage has occurred. Grouts are a mixture of water, cement, and sand that is usually seen between the tiles of the bathroom. Constant exposure to water will cause the grout to come loose. Even though the grout may be exposed to water during showers, the contact is not constant as it is on a one-off basis. Grouts will only come loose due to constant exposure to moisture at an extreme degree and pressure.

• Loosen tiles

Constant exposure to moisture may cause the tiles to loosen up, and this can be the case due to a leakage loosening the grout holding the tiles back.

Shower head replacement tips

One way you can save water is by replacing the regular shower head with a low-pressure type that will slow down the rate at which water comes out. So instead of taking short baths to save water, you can just install it and use it once in a while. Shower head replacement with a low-pressure is quite easy as you can buy it at the local hardware store.

Another option is the adjustable flow model. This type of shower head allows you to change the speed of the water flow according to what you need it for.  Shower head replacement helps you save money and water and prevent property damage from water leaks.

Preventing shower leaks

Mr Plumber Singapore is here for your shower leak repair and shower head replacement services wherever you may need it in Singapore. You can prevent shower leaks in the following ways:

• Ensure that shower head installations are done by a reputable plumbing contractor
• Ensure that tape is threaded around a new shower head
• Keep the nozzle of the shower head clear and free from blockage to prevent excess pressure build up within shower pipes
• Speak to a plumbing service for regular checks and inspection and shower repair where necessary.

How to fix a shower unit leak

A shower leak can occur from your shower unit in the bathroom, and these shower leaks may be easily resolved on your own. In this segment, we will teach you how you may go about fixing a shower head leak, fixing a faucet leak, and replacing a faucet.

Fixing a shower head leak

Start by turning off the water supply, this will enable you to conduct the work without worrying about a burst of water. Do prepare a towel in advance as even though the water supply is turned off, this does not mean that there is no more water left in the pipe. Then you may remove the shower head by unscrewing it from the pipe. You may want to use a pair of pillars or a crescent wrench for this. Upon removal of the shower head, look past the threads inside for a small plastic washer or rubber-O-ring. These are the main culprits when it comes to leakages, due to wear and tear. It will dry up and become brittle which lowers its ability to hold in water. Do replace it if it looks worn or damaged.

After inspecting/replacing the components of the shower head, wrap up the thread on the pipe stem with tape. A thin strip around the threads at the very tip of the pipe stem will do. Begin screwing the shower head back on by hand until you cannot turn anymore. Use a pair of pillars to give it a final tight turn, but not too tight as it may break the shower head. You may then turn on the water supply and run the shower for a few seconds. Then turn it off and wait for a few minutes to see if there are any leakages or drips.

Fixing a faucet leak

Similar to fixing a shower head leak, start by turning off the water supply and make sure to prepare a towel. Open the faucet and let the remaining trapped water to drain. Next, you will need to remove the faucet, and depending on the type of faucet, you may need to remove one or even two valves and handle. A two-knob system is similar to a single-knob system, just that you will have to remove one more component. Use a screwdriver and crescent wrench to loosen the valves and remove the knobs/handles. You may then remove the guards and should see 2 nuts. Loosen the larger nut to reach the shower stem. Remove the shower stem by loosening it in an anti-clockwise manner. This shower stem works with several washers (i.e. Seat washers and Packing washers) and should all be replaced to ensure that the current leakage and any future leakage can be prevented.

You may then begin the reassembly by reattaching the shower stem followed by screwing on the valves and reattaching the knobs. Thereafter, reattach the faucet faceplate and seal where it touches the shower wall with the help of applying caulk around the plate. Observe to see if there’s still any leakage over the next few days.

Replacing the faucet

If fixing the faucet does not solve the leakage, you may want to consider replacing the faucet. There are many different types of shower faucets out on the market, and not all are interchangeable. So, it is important to identify the correct replacement for your current faucet. Always get an exact measurement of the holes in the faucet and bring along your old faucet to find a suitable replacement at the hardware store. And it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that everything is installed correctly.

So, in order to bring the faucet to the hardware store, you will have to remove it first. Start by removing the base of the faucet. You can do this by using a pipe wrench to loosen the nuts that are fastening it to the shower fixture. After it is loosened, you can remove the base of the faucet. After getting the new replacement, you will need to line up the new faucet with the shower pipe to fasten it to the pipe with the help of a pipe wrench. As mentioned above, follow the manufacturer’s instructions so as to anchor the new faucet up. You can then turn the supply back on to check for any leaks.

If the methods mentioned above do not solve the leaks for you, you may want to call in a professional and reliable plumber that can help you fix your shower leak issue.

Case study

• Shower Mixer Faucet Installation Plumber Singapore Condo Yio Chu Kang

• Replace Shower Tap Plumber Singapore

• Shower Mixer Faucet Replacement Plumber Singapore HDB, Holland Village

• Shower Head And Pipe Replacement Plumber Singapore Condo Clementi

 

FAQs

Why would I need shower replacement or repair?

The obvious reason shower leakage happens is due to wear and tear from the change in temperatures and the natural shifting of a building. Shower leakage can also occur when the shower head is broken. If not fixed immediately, it could lead to water damage and water wastage. Get it fixed immediately and you are also doing your part in saving water in your toilet.

 

How to detect water leakage and fix it on your own?

Here is a list that will help you detect water leakage in your toilet:

• 1. 1. Check the water meter before and after two hours when no water is used. If the meter does not show the same reading, it is highly likely you have a leak.
     2. Leaky faucets can be fixed by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them if necessary.
     3. Most leaky shower heads can be fixed by ensuring a tight connection using pipe tape and a wrench.
     4. If your toilet is leaking, the cause is often an old, faulty toilet flapper. Over time, this inexpensive rubber part decays, or minerals build upon it. It’s usually best to replace the whole rubber flapper—a relatively easy, inexpensive do-it-yourself project that pays for itself in no time.
     5. Another way to detect a toilet leak is to place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. Ensure you flush immediately after this experiment to avoid staining the tank.

   

  1. Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet flappers, and shower heads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts do not require a major investment.

 

What are the waterproofing services available for shower leaks?

Some of the signs of shower leakage are such as missing grout and tiles loosening. To combat this issue, you can opt for waterproofing services such as regrouting. It is a two-step process performed by specialists to restore tiled areas. The first step is to remove the hardened old grout between the tiles before applying the new layer. Once done, allow it to dry and clean the tiles. Your tiles should be as good as new now and shower leakage should not happen.

 

Shower repair in Singapore with Mr Plumber

Mr Plumber specialises in shower replacement and shower installation services all over Singapore. With over a decade of experience in providing our diverse client base with efficient and dependable service, why not let us save you the hassles of doing your own shower leak repairs and shower replacement, and save on affordable shower repairs and shower replacement cost?

WhatsApp us today at +65 8241 0032 to make an appointment.

Mr Plumber Singapore provides full range of plumbing services in Singapore, including plumbing repair, water pipe leak repair, water heater installation, clearing clogged sink/drain/toilet bowls, installation & repair of toilet bowl, kitchen sink, toilet sink, drainage pipe, concealed copper pipes repair, floor trap, etc. We have a team of licensed plumbers who are available for emergency plumbing. We have over 10 years of plumbing experience and have done thousands of plumbing jobs for both residential (Landed, condo and HDB plumbing) and commercial plumbing. We are the highly recommended plumber Singapore,with many happy customers and reviews over the years on Googleand Facebook. WhatsApp us for transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your plumbing needs at +65 8241 0032!