www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hi, new to posting on this forum but often use it for DIY advice. However, my shower enclosure problem has prompted me to post for the first time so any advice would be appreciated although I anticipate the answer to be rip it out and start again.

I recently moved into a flat and have since discovered that my shower in leaking into the flat below. The entire flat was renovated by the previous owner and he has done a bad job with the shower enclosure.

Basically, rather than tiling he has attached aquabord/waterproof wall panels . The panels stop short of the edge of the shower tray (corner shower) and he has attached the shower enclosure direct to the door frame door frame and plaster wall rather than the board, hence water is leaking behind the enclosure posts down the back of the tray. I have attached photos below.

The wall panels are too short and there is no scope to move the enclosure inwards onto the boards so I think I will have to take them out and tile or board up to the edge of the tray. However, as the tray is in front door frame upright, I don't think it will be possible to tile this area (as it is made of wood and the tiles will fall off)?

Does this mean that my only option is to buy expensive new boards and cover the doorframe with these?

Again, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

What size is the shower tray.......length and width? if not the same.

Call the width from wall to door and length from door to corner.

Where is the waste outlet situated at the moment?

750 mm wide (wall to bathroom door)
1000mm long (door to corner)

Waste outlet is in the corner of the room i.e. where the two bathroom walls meet

That mucks up my theory of turning the tray around lol.

Take the enclosure out, take the panels off. Replace panels with new ones the correct size. They can be bought 1220mm wide. Put enclosure back.

That's what I thought. Would you advise against tiling due to the door frame? Just looking to save some money rather than buying a board kit at £350. Can't find one online that is much cheaper than that...

Thanks

The enclosure looks to be in line with the edge of the tray and most of them are supposed to be fitted 20mm in from the edge, this would reduce the amount of tile situated on the timber.

Not ideal............make sure the door frame is securely fixed. Start with a full tile from this point and work to the internal corner. that way a full tile will span from frame to wall. Obviously you have to bear in mind that someone could slam the door and a tile or tiles could crack. Could be movement and the same can happen. The way to stop this would be to have a tile joint where the frame starts but that would look pants.

Don't forget that in ripping out the panels you will damage the plasterboard beyond being suitable to tile onto ad so it will need replacing. Unless you have solid walls, that is.

If you can match the panel then plenty of suppliers sell them singly. You do not have to buy an entire kit.

Check to make sure it is the tray/enclosure which leaks and is not the waster or supply for hot and cold.

The boards don't seam to be particularly well attached (not surprising considering the monumental fail described above). I am hoping I can re-use the larger of the boards, cut it to size, and put it on the smaller wall where the shower is meaning I just have to buy one board. Just hoping that the old board isn't too badly warped due to getting water behind it......

What kind of adhesive would you recommend for the board?

Thanks again for the advice!

Shower wall adhesive..........you can get it from the same place you buy the new board. Comes in a tube and is applied with a sealant gun/ cartridge gun/ silicone gun.