How to Repair a Leaking Shower Tray

A leaking waste trap or shower tray is one of the most challenging DIY jobs. It can cause severe damage and is often heartbreaking.

It is a great idea to place a tray in a solid wood base to allow for easy access to the traps and pipes underneath. It is easy and not too destructive to take out the front or sides of your base if this is the case.

How to Install a Shower Tray To Prevent Any Waste Leaks

Rectangular Shower Tray From Tapron

As this will allow for a more water-tight joint, we always recommend installing a shower tray before any walls are tiled.

Place the shower tray in its desired position and level it with a spirit level. You can use packing materials such as wooden slivers and plastic pieces to level it. This is vital!

To ensure that water does not get into the waste, the bottom of the tray slopes so that it is not necessary to tilt.

Attach the waste tray to the shower tray. Connect it to the pipework to prevent the waste from escaping. It would help to place the tray on a wooden frame with sealant.

The waste must be accessible, regardless of whether it is on a tray or a base.

If you are mounting on timbers, the front can be covered with skirting boards that fit across the support timbers. You can also tile the top if desired.

You should consider removing the skirting from the pipes if you plan on tiling them.

Locating the Leak that Needs Repair

If the tray is placed directly on a floor and develops a leak, you must first determine where it is coming from.

The pipes behind the tiles may be causing brown stains in the grouted joints.

If no evidence is found of pipes leaking, it could be the seal between the shower tray and the walls or the waste pipe connection underneath the tray.

Repairing A Shower Tray Leaking Waste Trap

If you believe it is the shower tray's waste, there are two options.

The shower surround can be removed, and the tray can be removed by removing the first two tiles. This method is expensive and requires a lot more work. The shower and bathroom may also be inaccessible for the duration.

You can go down and take out the section below the shower tray. Although this is the most challenging job, fixing leaky waste is often the easiest. This is even true for baths that have been installed without any access to the waste pipes.


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