I've been dealing with persistent water damage at the bottom of the wall next to my shower door, and it's really frustrating. I've taken some strong measures already: I cut out the damaged drywall and replaced it with greenboard, used mold-resistant mud and paint, and completely regrouted all the lower shower tile joints. I even took out all the old silicone and reapplied a quality kitchen & bath silicone everywhere, including the frame, curb, and seams. The plumbing is fine since there are no pipes on this wall; they're located on the other side of the shower. I've ruled out condensation as an issue since the leak only occurs when the shower is in use. If the shower isn't used for a while, the area dries up. Unfortunately, since the wall is part of a pocket door cavity, I can't access the back side. When I check the damaged area, I don't see moisture anywhere else in the cavity. Despite all the work, the leak keeps coming back in the same spot. Could the issue be related to a failed shower pan, curb, or something else? What's my next move if I'm unable to access the back wall? I'm at a bit of a loss here.
3 Answers
How far does your silicone go up inside the door frame? You’ll want to check that it’s sealed all the way up to the top. If it’s not, that could definitely be where water is getting in.
It sounds like the issue might be behind your tiles. The grout itself isn’t waterproof, which means water can still get behind it. Modern construction usually includes a waterproof membrane behind tiles. If yours doesn’t have that, even a small amount of water can lead to damage. Just a heads-up—if you ever redo your shower, be prepared for possibly finding some rotten wood and other damage behind the tiles. It’s a bigger job than it seems!
Have you sealed your grout lately? I faced a similar issue where water was seeping through due to a cheap sealer. After I sealed everything with Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold, it stayed dry since. You might want to double-check that aspect.
I actually replaced all the grout a few months ago and used a 'pre-sealed' grout that claimed it didn’t need additional sealing. Maybe they stretched the truth a bit...
Yeah, I’ve checked that, and the silicone around the glass door frame goes all the way to the top. It's completely sealed.