Not every shower problem is a quick grout touch-up. Some failures are the result of a tile job that was never built correctly — waterproofing skipped, slope insufficient, wrong substrate from the start. We find out what's actually happening before we propose a fix, because patching over a structural problem wastes your money and delays the inevitable.
Orleans Bath and Tile handles shower repairs across Orleans, Ottawa, and the surrounding area — from single cracked tiles to full shower rebuilds caused by waterproofing failures that were never caught until the damage showed up on the ceiling below.
Common Shower Problems We Fix
Cracked or Loose Tiles
Individual cracked or hollow tiles are usually caused by one of three things: movement in the substrate, voids in the thinset behind the tile, or improper thinset coverage during the original installation. We identify the cause, remove affected tiles, address the underlying issue, and reset with correct materials. Replacing tiles without fixing the cause means they'll come loose again.
Deteriorating Grout
Grout that crumbles, cracks throughout the field, or turns dark and porous faster than it should may need full re-grouting. We remove the existing grout, check that tile adhesion is still sound underneath, and regrout with the correct product for the application — sanded, unsanded, or epoxy depending on joint width and location.
Leaking Showers
Water appearing outside the shower — on the adjacent floor, on the ceiling below, or in walls — means the waterproofing has either failed or was never there to begin with. We identify the source, demo what needs to come out, and rebuild the assembly with a proper membrane system. Caulking over the grout is not a repair for a leaking shower.
Shower Floor Pooling
If water puddles on the shower floor instead of draining, the slope is insufficient. Depending on severity, this can sometimes be corrected with a re-slope using a specific pan compound. In other cases — particularly where the drain assembly also needs work — a full shower floor rebuild is the right call. We assess and advise honestly.
Failed Silicone Joints
The silicone caulk at changes of plane — floor-to-wall corners, wall corners, around the curb — is a maintenance item that needs periodic replacement. Failed silicone allows water infiltration at the most vulnerable points in the assembly. We remove old silicone completely, prepare the substrate, and replace it with the correct product applied cleanly.
When a Repair Becomes a Rebuild
Sometimes the damage has gone too far for a surface repair to make sense. If tiles are loose throughout the shower, the substrate has deteriorated from years of water infiltration, or the original installation was fundamentally incorrect, a full rebuild is the right answer — not because we want a bigger job, but because a partial repair on a compromised assembly won't hold.
We'll always tell you which situation you're in and why. If a repair will solve it, we'll repair it. If a rebuild is what it needs, we'll tell you that upfront so you're not spending money twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you match my existing tile for a repair?
Sometimes. If the tile is a current production style, we can often source matching pieces. If it's discontinued, we'll discuss options — a visible patch, a design accent that makes the repair intentional, or a broader replacement that creates a clean result. We'll tell you what's realistic before any work begins.
My shower is only 4 years old. How can it be failing?
Tile failures have nothing to do with age — they have to do with how the shower was built. A shower installed without proper waterproofing will fail. A shower with insufficient drain slope will fail. We see showers that are less than two years old needing full rebuilds because the fundamentals were never right. Age is not a reliable indicator of condition.
Is re-grouting worth it, or should I just replace the tile?
If the tile is in good condition — solidly bonded, no hollow spots — re-grouting can extend the life of the shower significantly and change its appearance considerably. If tiles are loose or the substrate is compromised, re-grouting over top won't address the underlying problem. We assess the tile condition before making a recommendation.