A damp patch on the wall, water near the shower or damage to the ceiling below: when you have a leak, you want to know where the water is coming from. That is not always immediately clear. A damaged sealant joint may be visible, but the source could also be behind or beneath the tiles.
At VDB Tile Works, we assess the situation first. Once it is clear what needs to be repaired, we can determine what work is required.
First, check the grout, sealant and tiles
In bathrooms with leaks, we regularly see problems with sealant, grout or the joints around tiled areas. This could be a sealant joint that has come loose, cracks in the grout or tiles that are no longer firmly attached. These areas deserve attention, especially in a shower exposed to water every day.
A visible defect does not necessarily mean it is the source of the leak. The issue could be a pipe, the drain or the waterproofing behind the tiles. Simply regrouting or resealing may therefore not solve the problem.
When can we handle the entire repair?
If an assessment shows that the problem is confined to the tiling and its adjoining joints, we can take care of the work from removing the old tiles through to installing new ones. How much needs to be replaced also depends on what we find beneath the existing tiles.
If the cause is unclear, further investigation is the sensible first step. We can bring in a leak detection company from our network or ask a building contractor or plumbing specialist to assess the situation. This helps establish the cause before tiles are removed unnecessarily.
Why is every bathroom leak different?
The bathroom’s construction and layout have a major effect on the repair. Is there underfloor heating beneath the tiles? Is a shower screen or vanity unit in the way? Are spare tiles available if part of the existing tiling needs to be replaced?
The drain also needs careful attention. Whether the shower has a linear drain or a standard floor drain, the connections, floor gradient and finished height must all work together. Sometimes we can only assess the condition of the substrate and waterproofing after opening up part of the floor or wall. A leak might allow for a local repair, or it might require a larger section of the shower to be rebuilt.
Removing tiles: clear agreements in advance
When removing damaged tiling, we try to work as precisely as possible. Even so, additional tiles can come loose or be damaged during removal. The condition of the substrate often only becomes clear once the first tiles have been lifted.
That is why we discuss what we know and what remains uncertain before starting. Tile removal can be carried out on an hourly basis, with an agreed maximum number of hours. If we discover that more repair work is needed, we discuss it with you before continuing.
A leak in your shower or bathroom?
VDB Tile Works provides bathroom tiling and renovation services in Amsterdam, Amstelveen and surrounding areas, including Aalsmeer, Diemen and Uithoorn, as well as Abcoude and other places in the municipality of De Ronde Venen. Think your leak might involve the tiling, grout or sealant? Please get in touch. If possible, send a few clear photos of the bathroom and the visible damage. We can then decide on the most sensible first step together: assessing the tiling, arranging leak detection first or preparing the repair.
