19 May Shower Leaks 101: How to Spot, Stop, and Prevent Water Damage

Shower leaks can sneak up on you. One day your bathroom looks fine, and the next, there’s peeling paint, a musty smell, or even water dripping through the ceiling below. Not fun. Whether you’re a new homeowner or just trying to stay ahead of costly repairs, spotting and stopping a shower leak early is key to protecting your home.

Let’s walk through the basics of how to detect a shower leak, what to do when it happens, and easy ways to prevent long-term water damage in your bathroom.

How to spot leaks in your home

Not all leaks are obvious. In fact, some of the worst ones happen behind your tile or drywall.

Here are a few things to watch for:

• That “damp” smell that won’t go away. If your bathroom smells musty no matter how often you clean, there could be moisture hiding in the walls or floors.
• Peeling paint or yellowish stains on the ceiling. These are classic signs of a slow leak, especially if they appear below your bathroom or along the baseboards.
• Loose shower tiles or cracked grout. Soft or shifting tiles in the shower could mean water has been seeping behind them for a while.
• Water pooling at the base of the shower. A small puddle after every shower might not seem like a big deal, but it’s often the first clue.

What to Do When You Find a Leak in Your Shower

If you suspect a leak, don’t panic. Some fixes are quick and affordable.

Start with these steps:

• Check the caulk and grout. Over time, these sealants can wear down or crack. Re-caulking your shower or touching up grout is an easy DIY that can stop water from slipping through.
• Tighten your shower head connection. A loose shower head or pipe connection can drip down the wall. Use plumber’s tape to tighten the connection and see if that helps.
• Make sure your shower door or curtain is doing its job. Leaks can be as simple as a misaligned shower door or a curtain that doesn’t stay put. Adjust as needed or invest in a splash guard to help keep water in. Call a local plumber if the problem persists!

If you’ve checked the basics and you’re still seeing signs of water damage, it might be a hidden pipe issue. That’s where we come in.

Easy Ways to Prevent Shower Leaks and Water Damage

Here’s the good news: most bathroom leaks are preventable with a few simple habits.

Try these tips to keep things dry:

• Routinely inspect and reseal
• Caulking and grout don’t last forever. A quick once-over every few months—and resealing every year or so—can go a long way.
• Don’t ignore small changes. A little discoloration or moisture might not seem like much now, but it could mean a bigger problem is brewing behind the walls.
• Use a bath mat or shower splash guard. This simple fix can catch stray water and protect your flooring—especially in bathrooms used by kids or guests.
• Monitor your water bill. A sudden jump in usage can be a red flag for hidden leaks in your home’s plumbing system.

Think You Might Have a Shower Leak? We’ve Got You Covered

Shower leaks are tricky—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you need help sealing your tile, finding a hidden leak, or replacing a faulty shower valve, Quarter Moon Plumbing, AC and Heating is just a call away. We’ve been helping San Antonio homeowners and its surrounding communities with leaky showers, bathroom plumbing repairs, and preventing water damage for decades. Let us help you get back to enjoying your home, leak-free. Call Quarter Moon (210) 651-5899 or book online today. Let’s fix that leak before it becomes a bigger problem.