Stop shower leaks without destroying your bathroom. Certified sealers servicing Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra with a 5-year workmanship warranty.
Shower waterproofing failures are the most common waterproofing issue in Australian homes. A shower that leaks does not always present dramatically. The first signs are often a musty smell in an adjacent room, stained or bubbling paint on a nearby wall, or soft flooring beside the shower enclosure. By the time visible damage appears, water has typically been infiltrating the structure for weeks or months.
There are four primary causes of leaking showers in NSW. First, a failed waterproofing membrane beneath the tiles. The original membrane has cracked, delaminated from the substrate, or was never applied correctly. This is common in homes built before AS 3740 became mandatory, and in renovated bathrooms where unlicensed tradespeople carried out the waterproofing. Second, grout and tile joint failure. Grout is not a waterproofing material but many homeowners and tilers treat it as one. Grout shrinks, cracks, and degrades over time, particularly in showers subject to daily thermal cycling and cleaning chemicals. Once grout fails, water reaches the membrane directly. Third, shower screen and threshold seal failure. The silicone seal around shower screens, bases, and thresholds is a sacrificial component designed to be replaced periodically. A failed screen seal allows water to track beneath the base without appearing to be a leak in the conventional sense. Fourth, substrate cracking caused by movement in the building structure, whether from thermal expansion, settlement, or nearby construction. These cracks propagate through the membrane and become direct water pathways.
Accurate diagnosis is what separates a lasting shower repair from a temporary patch. Econyc’s licensed technicians use visual inspection, moisture mapping, and controlled water testing to identify exactly where the water is entering and what the appropriate repair method is.
Our diagnostic process includes visual inspection of all grout lines, silicone joints, screen seals, and tile surfaces for cracking, discolouration, or debonding. We take moisture meter readings on walls and floors adjacent to the shower recess to map water movement. We carry out controlled water isolation testing, running water to specific zones to identify the exact ingress point. We assess the shower base level and drainage fall to identify pooling issues that accelerate membrane degradation. Where accessible, we inspect the ceiling and walls of the room below for staining or moisture.
Following the inspection, we provide a written diagnosis report and a fixed-price quote. We identify whether the repair can be completed without tile removal or whether a full membrane replacement is required. In our experience, approximately 60 percent of residential shower leaks in NSW can be resolved without tile removal using injection and re-sealing methods. We will never recommend this approach where a full membrane replacement is the correct solution, regardless of cost.
Every leaking shower repair Econyc carries out follows a documented, methodical process. We do not patch and leave. Every job is completed to AS 3740:2021 and flood-tested before we hand back the bathroom.
Econyc works exclusively with top-tier waterproofing products from manufacturers with proven performance records in the Australian market. We do not use generic or private-label waterproofing products.
Sika Australia: For liquid-applied membrane systems we primarily specify Sika products including SikaTite-N (a flexible, brush-applied waterproofing membrane ideal for wet areas), SikaTop 122 Plus (a two-component cementitious slurry for damp substrates), and Sikaflex Pro-3 (a premium polyurethane sealant for shower screen and threshold joints). Sika products carry Australian technical data sheets and long-term performance data in local conditions.
Tremco: For sealant and liquid membrane applications we use Tremco TREMproof 60 (a one-component moisture-curing polyurethane membrane) and Tremco Dymonic (a high-movement polyurethane sealant for shower screen joints and control joints). Tremco products are specified by architects and engineers on major Australian projects.
Normet: For injection waterproofing repairs where tile removal is not required, we use Normet TamPur 116, a flexible water-reactive polyurethane foam for active crack and substrate injection. Normet is a specialist injection systems manufacturer with products designed specifically for infrastructure and building injection across Australia.
Econyc provides a 5-year workmanship warranty on all shower and bathroom waterproofing completed by our licensed contractors. If waterproofing installed by Econyc fails to perform within five years of completion under normal use, we will return and rectify the issue at no charge to you.
This warranty applies to new shower waterproofing membrane installation, full membrane replacement following tile removal, and shower base re-waterproofing. The warranty is backed by our public liability insurance and is documented in writing at job completion. It is transferable if you sell the property.
In addition to our workmanship warranty, all products we use (Sika, Tremco, Normet) carry manufacturer warranties that apply when installed correctly by an approved applicator. These are separate from our workmanship warranty and provide a further layer of protection.
The warranty does not cover damage resulting from subsequent building movement, structural settlement, or modifications made to the shower by others after our work is complete.
Econyc’s shower repair teams service all of New South Wales, with primary coverage across Greater Sydney (all metropolitan suburbs from Penrith to Cronulla and Manly to Liverpool), Inner Sydney including the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, and North Shore, Newcastle and the Hunter Region including Newcastle CBD, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and Port Stephens, Wollongong and the Illawarra including Shellharbour and Kiama, and the Central Coast including Gosford, Wyong, and Terrigal.
We offer same-week inspection appointments for urgent leak situations and can typically commence repairs within 5 to 7 business days of inspection.
Can you fix a leaking shower without removing tiles?
In many cases yes. Our injection waterproofing method penetrates the substrate beneath existing tiles and seals the water pathway without disturbing the tile surface. However, this approach is only appropriate where the existing tiles are well-bonded and the membrane failure is accessible via injection. Where the membrane has delaminated extensively or the substrate is compromised, full tile removal and membrane replacement is the only lasting solution. We will never recommend injection repair where a lasting outcome is unlikely.
How long does a shower waterproofing repair take?
An injection-based repair without tile removal is typically completed in 2 to 4 hours. A full membrane replacement requiring tile removal takes 2 to 4 days depending on bathroom size, membrane cure time, and tile pattern complexity.
Do I need a waterproofing certificate for a shower repair?
In NSW, waterproofing certificates are required for new builds and are standard practice for any waterproofing work where tiles are removed and a new membrane is applied. For injection-only repairs, a certificate is still issued documenting the scope and product used. If you are selling the property or require documentation for strata or council purposes, we ensure a certificate is provided regardless of repair method.
How do I know if my shower is leaking versus just condensation?
The simplest test: thoroughly dry the bathroom for 48 hours, then run water only to the shower for 10 minutes and observe. If the issue appears only when the shower is in use, it is a leak. Our technicians conduct this test as part of the site inspection at no additional charge.
Will the repair be covered by home insurance?
Sudden and accidental water damage resulting from a waterproofing failure may be covered by some home insurance policies. Most policies exclude gradual leaks and waterproofing maintenance. We recommend checking your policy and ensuring any repair is carried out by a licensed contractor with documentation, as unlicensed repairs may void future claims.
Contact Econyc today for a free site inspection and fixed-price quote. Licensed, insured, and fully compliant with Australian waterproofing standards.