Leaking shower after a renovation: what to do in Queensland
If a new or renovated shower leaks, the waterproofing under the tiles has most likely failed. Tell the builder in writing straight away, because the time limits for getting it fixed can be short.
Signs your shower is leaking
- Damp, bubbling or flaking paint on the other side of the shower wall
- Swollen skirting boards, cupboards or door frames nearby
- Loose or drummy tiles, or grout that keeps cracking
- A musty smell or mould that keeps coming back
- Water stains on the ceiling below an upstairs bathroom
QBCC warns that failed waterproofing can lead to structural damage and health risks such as mould. Don’t wait to see if it gets worse.
Who should have done the waterproofing?
In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 needs a QBCC licence. Waterproofing has its own licence class, called Waterproofing.
In a bathroom renovation, the waterproofing is often done by a subcontractor. Your contract is with the builder or renovator, though, so they are the one responsible for getting it fixed. QBCC expects waterproofing to meet the National Construction Code and the Australian Standards.
What to do, step by step
- Take photos of every sign of the leak, with dates. Stop using the shower if water is getting into walls or floors.
- Write to the builder. List the problems, include the photos, and give them a reasonable time to fix it, such as 14 days. Let them onto the site to repair it.
- Get an independent report if you need one. A licensed building inspector can check the work and write up the defects. Search for the Completed Residential Building Inspection licence.
- If the builder won’t fix it, complain to QBCC. See our guide to lodging a defective work complaint.
Watch the time limits
If your job was over $3,300, it had home warranty insurance. The time limits depend on whether QBCC treats the defect as structural or non-structural.
- Non-structural defects: you must notice them within 6 months of the work being substantially finished, and claim within 7 months.
- Structural defects: you must notice them within 6 years and 6 months of the cover starting, and claim within 3 months of noticing.
You may not know which one your leak is. Contact the builder and QBCC early so you don’t miss the shorter limit. Our guide to home warranty insurance has the details.
Before your next bathroom job
Ask who will do the waterproofing, and check their licence on this site. Our guide to bathroom renovation trades lists who does what.