Long, hot summers, mild winters, and plenty of sun all year-round, Perth’s weather is often the envy of the rest of Australia. However, while the climate is often great for beach days and outdoor fun, it’s not always great for our homes. You might not realise it, but Perth’s unique climate can actually increase the risk of leaking showers. Read on find out why that is, and what you can do to protect your property.
Heat, Expansion, and Cracks
If you’ve lived through a Perth summer, you know how intense the heat can get. Consistently high temperatures can cause building materials like tiles, grout, sealants, and even concrete slabs to expand and contract as they heat up and cool down. Over time, this constant movement can cause tiny cracks to form. Even the smallest crack in your shower’s grout or waterproofing can let moisture in and once water finds its way behind tiles, it doesn’t just stay put, it spreads and that’s when the real damage begins.
If your property is an older style or you notice your grout looking a bit tired or cracked, it might be time for a professional inspection. Catching problems early is the key to saving money and headaches in the not too distant future.
Dry Conditions and Shrinking Materials
Perth’s long dry spells are tough on gardens, and they can also be tough on your home too. In extremely dry conditions, building materials, especially timber, can shrink as they lose moisture. This shrinking can pull apart joins, loosen tiles, and create tiny gaps where water can sneak through.
In showers, this might look like loose tiles, cracked or missing grout, gaps in silicone joints, or even hairline cracks in the base or walls. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s a good idea to engage a specialist in shower leak detection. Perth homeowners can be made aware of small leaks and have them repaired easily before they become a major problem.
Stormy Winters and Heavy Rains
While Perth is known for an abundance of sun, summer can bring tropical downpours and winter can be stormy – when it rains in Perth, it really rains! If your property isn’t properly waterproofed, water pressure from storms can find its way into weak spots in your home, including your bathrooms. Excess moisture from rainstorms can seep into hairline cracks and accelerate hidden water damage. Moisture can linger well into the dry season, feeding mould and slowly weakening your structure.
Salty Air
Many Perth properties are close enough to the coast that they’re exposed to salty sea air, even those a few kilometres inland. Salt in the air can speed up the deterioration of building materials, especially when combined with moisture. Over time, salt can eat away at grout and silicone, cause corrosion of metal fittings, and accelerate tile loosening and surface damage.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Shower?
There’s a few steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk of shower leaks, even in Perth’s tough climate.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Inspect your shower regularly for signs of a leak.
- Act fast on small issues. Cracked grout, lifting tiles, or mouldy silicone are all early warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
- Invest in professional shower leak repairs. For long-lasting protection, it’s worth bringing in the experts.
What Should You Do If You Have a Shower Leak?
Between the extreme heat, dry spells, storms, and salty air, it’s no wonder leaking showers are such a common problem in Perth.
If you have noticed a leak in your shower, don’t wait! Leaks don’t fix themselves and the longer you leave it, the bigger and more expensive the problem can get. The good news is you don’t need to tear your bathroom apart to fix it. At My Shower, we make it easy with fast, affordable, mess-free shower leak repairs. Our team gets in, sorts out the leak properly, and leaves your bathroom looking great, without the huge price tag or days of disruption. Call 1300 055 088 or request a free quote online now.