You already woke late and hurried to go office quickly. Suddenly, you notice water pooling on the shower floor after coming home at the end of the day.
What could be the reason?
This water sitting on the shower floor may happen for different reasons, such as clogged drain, leaking shower, or wrongly sloped shower tray.
In this post, we will discuss why water piles up on your shower floor and how to fix it.
Why Water Pooling In Corner Of Shower?
If you don’t take care of water pooling on your shower floor immediately, it may lead to several problems such as tile stains, mildew development, or musty bathroom smells.
- Drain Clogged
The first thing you should check is your shower drain. Are there any hairs or dirt on the drain filter?
However, your shower drain may have some internal problems that might not be visible to your naked eyes.
Make sure the internal system of the shower drain is not damaged or broken. Also, the drain should be free from dirt and mineral build-up.
If your drain is clogged, you can see different symptoms, such as water draining slowly, foul odor coming from the drain, discolor tiles, etc.
- Shower Leakage
Do you sometimes or often notice your shower floor has a pile of water though you have not to use the shower? This could happen for different reasons.
If your cartridge has any problem, this can be the main culprit. The primary role is adjusting the quantity of water that goes inside the shower.
However, a faulty or cracked cartridge will fail to control the water flow. Also, water will drip from the below area of this shower system.
If there is any leakage in your shower tap, it can also cause water pooling problems. You may need to check out the backside of the tap since it is often not easily visible from the front side.
However, if you notice your tiles have lost their original color significantly, it could be a clear indication of a leaky tap. Also, check out the bathroom wall whether any mold or mildew are developed
- Missing or Damaged Shower Floor Grout
Grout plays an important role in showers beyond looking nice – it seals the gaps between floor tiles to prevent water seeping underneath. Cracked, crumbling or missing grout breaks that waterproofing barrier.
When grout lines fail, water flows through the open cracks and seams. Rather than shedding across the tile surface to the drain, water trickles down into the shower pan and subfloor. Stuck under the floor with nowhere to go, it can overflow tiles back into the shower or leak down into the room below.
Signs of inadequate grout waterproofing include:
- Missing grout in some areas with open gaps between floor tiles
- Cracked or powdery grout indicating failure
- Slow drainage or pooling water on tiles along sections with poor grout
- Musty, damp smells coming from shower floor area
- Soft, creaking or spongy tiles where water has soaked into sub-layers
Re-grouting shower floors periodically maintains the water barrier. When significant grout damage exists, fully removing and replacing all floor grout ensures waterproof integrity.
Using a flexible epoxy grout provides maximum sealing and adhesion for high-moisture shower conditions. Filling any under-tile cracks with caulk before re-grouting boosts leak protection too.
Well-sealed grout keeps water on top of shower tiles flowing to the drain. Don’t wait for pooling issues to address failing or inadequate grout.
- Undersized, Misaligned or Insufficient Drain(s)
Finally, issues with the shower drains themselves can also impede proper water flow. Showers require adequately sized drains placed properly to handle the water volume from showerheads and multiple body sprays.
But drains located too far from the water sources, set too high or poorly aligned leave areas water can’t reach. Just a few small 2 x 2 inch tile drains also prove woefully inadequate for larger showers.
- Wrongly Sloped Shower Tray
Do you think your shower doesn’t have the problems mentioned above? If yes, what could be the problem? Have you sloped your shower tray in the right way?
Sometimes, you may think you have set up your shower tray in a perfectly flat. But you may have done it wrongly.
Keeping a slight slope pattern from your shower edge to the mid-point is necessary. This approach mainly ensures smooth water draining.
But when you fail to do it precisely may lead to a water pooling issue. At worst, you may see worms in the toilet if the problem did not address for a long time.
Watch this video to understand the problem clearly.
How To Fix Water Pooling On Shower Tray Or Shower Floor?
If you notice a lot of water on your shower floor, this can happen for different reasons, which we have already mentioned.
Now, here are the possible solutions you can apply based on the problem your shower is having.
- Removing Drain Clog
If you don’t fix the clogged drain issue on time, it may lead to several problems. You can use commercial drain cleaners. Learn what to do if drain cleaner doesn’t work.
They are effective and work immediately to remove clogging by melting away substances. However, they may not precisely work if it is a heavy clog.
If the drain clog is immense, you have to do some handwork. Grab a metal hanger. Remove its tips. Create a lengthy pattern by extending it using bare hands.
Now, put it inside the drain and reach as further as you can to remove the clog. However, please don’t overdo it. Just focus on eliminating the blockage.
Some blocked substances will come out when you are pulling and pushing. After several tries, the drain should be free from any block or clog.
- Replacing Cartridge
If your shower cartridge has become faulty or damaged, it is necessary to replace it on time. Here are the steps to follow if you wonder how to replace a shower cartridge.
- Gather all important tools and materials
- Switch off the water supply
- Open the shower cartridge
- Take off the handle cap and faceplate
- Take off the locking clip
- Detach and replace the cartridge
- Change other parts if necessary
Now, let’s fix your leaky shower trap!
- How To Fix Leaky Shower Tap?
If your shower tap has any leakage issues, water may continually drip. Here are the quick steps you can follow to fix the leaky shower tap.
- Block the shower drain by covering it
- Remove screws from the shower tap cover
- Loosen the tap bonnet
- Replace the tap bonnet if it is damaged
- Unscrew the tap spindle
- Remove the black O ring
- Replace the ring if it is damaged
- Detach the tap valve
- Replace the tap valve if it is damaged
- Reseat the shower taps if necessary
- Insert the assembly back in
- Tighten all parts properly
How to Fix Low Spots on Shower Floor?
Here is the extra handy solution we are going to mention, which may help you overcome the problem.
- Add Cement In The Shower Base
Making your shower waterproof may solve the water pooling issues. Plus, if possible, it is better to change the slope of your shower by reducing the coverage of the surrounding surface.
- Gouge Out the Surrounding Tile
Take off the tiles from the low spot area and its surrounding zones. Get rid of the thinset bedding compound near those areas.
Now apply a grinder or a tiny chisel on it to ensure no wearing issues, especially to the nearby tiles.
Finally, reset the tiles. Make sure to apply the bedding compound before resetting them.
- Change the Shower Base
It is better to change the shower base if your shower floor is fully tiled. It is the best option.
However, you may have to hire a professional if you are not changing the shower floor.
- Add Another Layer of Flooring
If you don’t want to take the hassle of replacing your entire shower base, you can add another layer of flooring. Make sure it is compatible with the slope.
However, it may not always be possible since it doesn’t work in all conditions. You must ensure whether adding a layer of material will be safe and effective for your shower floor.
- Squeegee and Live With It
If you think the water pooling is a minor problem and there is sufficient airflow in your bathroom, remove the excess water using a mop or squeegee.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about fixing water pooling in showers:
1. Clear any drain clogs from hair, soap scum buildup, etc.
2. Check and improve shower floor slope if it’s too flat or uneven.
3. Re-grout or caulk any areas with missing grout or tile cracks.
4. Seal any leaking plumbing joints or fittings under the shower.
5. Consider adding more or larger shower drains if existing ones are too small.
No, standing water pooling in a shower is never normal or desirable. Water should drain fully and quickly. Lingering water can lead to mold, mildew, leaks and floor damage if underlying issues aren’t fixed.
No, water remaining and puddling in a shower tray or pan indicates a problem needs attention. Proper slope and drainage should prevent pooling. Make sure drains are clear, the pan is evenly sloped, and grout/caulk seals out leaks.
To fix a low spot or flat area on a shower floor:
1. Remove and replace any loose/damaged tiles and use leveling compound to reslope the area.
2. Use pre-made plastic slope risers to prop up low tiles and create pitch toward drain.
3. Add a small secondary drain in chronic low spots to help water flow.
4. For large areas, the entire slope may need professional re-leveling.
Conclusion
Are you still wondering why there is water pooling on the shower floor? We have already outlined are probable reasons that could lead to water piling up on your shower floor or tray.
Quickly addressing the problem is necessary. Otherwise, it may lead to additional problems.
We have discussed several solutions. You should apply a specific one based on your shower’s problem.
If you don’t have any plumbing skills, make sure to keep a friend or family member who has basic knowledge in this field.
Hopefully, you will solve your bathroom problem successfully.