This is a triage list — the seven most common shower leak signs, ordered by how quickly you should act.
1. Ceiling stain under the shower. This is the highest-urgency sign. If it's fresh and the shower is above, act now — active leaks worsen quickly.
2. Damp or swollen skirting boards next to the shower wall. Second most urgent. Water is tracking through the wall and reaching the room adjacent.
3. Musty smell that will not clear. Moisture trapped in the wall cavity. Not immediate, but worth investigating.
4. Water pooling in the base and drying slowly. Could be a fall issue or a partial base failure. Worth an assessment.
5. Grout darkening or staining that won't clean. Cosmetic more than urgent, but a good early sign that a reseal is due.
6. Recurring silicone mould. Cosmetic on its own; combined with any of 1–4, it needs proper attention.
7. Faint hairline cracks along tile edges. Watch, but not urgent on its own.
Need this repair done?
Send photos for a written quote — no obligation.
Related reading
How to Tell if Your Shower is Leaking (and What it Costs to Ignore)
Water stains, damp skirtings, musty smells — how to read the signs before the damage spreads.
Cracked Grout vs Failed Waterproofing: What's Actually Happening
One is a surface issue you can fix in a day. The other is behind the wall.
Shower Base Leaks: The Ones People Miss
The base is where a lot of leaks actually start. Here's how to spot one.