3 Signs Your Shower Pan Is Leaking and How to Fix It

You probably don’t give much thought to your shower pan, but if it springs a leak, it can be a headache. A shower pan is the part of the shower that makes up the floor, and its sloped shape acts as a funnel, directing runoff water down the drain instead of pooling around your feet. Shower pans are usually made of durable materials, such as porcelain, ceramic, fiberglass, or plastic. They tend to have a fairly long life span, generally lasting at least 10 years and sometimes up to 45 years. However, depending on the material and how old the pan is, things may start to shift, and movement of the shower pan can lead to leaks, mold, or potentially even bathroom flooding. 

Here are three telltale signs that your shower pan is leaking and some ways you can fix it quickly.

1. Your Shower Pan Shouldn’t Move

When installed correctly, a shower pan should never have any movement, as it is usually securely affixed to the floor with concrete, sealant, and bolts. As time goes on, however, these tools can begin breaking down and causing some movement. In addition, if there are any major outdoor vibrations (such as an earthquake), this can also jar the securing materials loose.

Any movement, no matter how minor, is a sign that your shower pan is susceptible to leaking. If the pan is visibly moving when you clean your shower or step into it, that’s a problem.

2. Deflection Can Be a Huge Safety Hazard

If you notice any unusual sloping in the shower pan or if it feels unstable when stepping in or out, this might be a warning sign of deflection. Deflection is an up-and-down movement, which may indicate that the floor beneath the shower pan has started to give out due to water damage. You should have it checked immediately, as the subfloor may have damage from leaking water, which is a huge safety concern.

3. Look Out for Cracks in Your Shower Pan

Cracks are often the first telltale signs of shower pan damage. If you have a plastic pan, any cracking is an indication that the pan has failed. With sturdier materials, such as porcelain, cracks in the pan itself, not the grout or tiles, are a warning sign of a problem.If there is any cracking or splintering in the shower pan, stop using that shower immediately until you can repair it.

What Should You Do if Your Shower Pan Is Leaking?

If you notice any movement, cracking, or instability in the shower pan, there is a simple three-step method to check for leaks:

1. Seal the Drain

Make a water-tight seal around the drain using duct tape, plastic sheeting, or a rubber plug.

2. Pour in a Measured Amount of Water

Pour in enough water to make about 2 inches of standing water in the shower pan—mark where the water level is with a piece of tape or permanent marker.

3. Watch for Water Level Changes

Leave the water in the shower pan for eight hours, then come back to check. If it has gone down from the level you marked, there is likely a shower pan leak. 

At this point, you should also check the floor below the bathroom for visible water damage or staining.

How to Fix a Leaking Shower Pan

Before calling in a professional, you can make a few DIY repairs to temporarily stop the leak. Note that these are all short-term fixes, and you will likely need to consult a plumber near you to secure a permanent solution.

Grout Repair or Replacement

Grout begins to wear down over time, so repairing or replacing it may help slow the shower pan leak. Apply new shower grout in a thick layer over the old, paying special attention to any cracks or holes.

Apply Epoxy or Sealer

Apply masonry sealer or epoxy to any holes or loose areas to help hold everything together temporarily. This solution will help control the damage but is only a temporary fix for an entire shower pan replacement.

Replace the Pan Liner

You may be able to find a replacement pan liner that fits the shower at a big box store for between $50 and $100. These pans are pre-constructed and will not fit as tightly as a permanent pan replacement, but may work well enough to hold you over for a bit.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Temporary fixes to a leaking shower pan can save you — and your bathroom — in a pinch, but ultimately, you’ll need to reach out to the experts. The damage from a hidden water leak in a bathroom, like what you’d see from a leaking shower pan, is usually gradual. Because a shower pan leak has the potential to cause excessive water damage throughout several areas of your home, the best option is to locate a shower repair pro in your area. If the leak seems severe enough to leave you concerned about water damage or mold, consider contacting an emergency plumber near you to take a look at the situation right away.

A full shower pan replacement is a larger undertaking, and a contractor may even have to pull up the floor or even the foundation. On average, the cost of replacing a shower pan will run you between $530 to $2,700. Your final cost will depend on varying factors like the size of your shower, the type of shower pan material you’re installing, the removal of your old shower pan, and labor.

Questions to Ask a Shower Repair Pro

If you've decided that it's time to bring in a professional to repair or replace a leaking pan, it's important to make sure you're bringing in a qualified professional. Ordinarily, a plumber is the only pro qualified to assess and fix leaks. Here are some questions to ask during the phone screening to make sure you're hiring the right person:

• Do you offer shower repair near me?

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

• Do you offer free quotes?

• Do you provide emergency plumbing services?

• How soon can you replace the pan if it's determined that the issue cannot be fixed using another option?

• How many years of experience do you have with repairing or updating showers?

Be sure to contact at least three local plumbing companies to get quotes. Different plumbers may have different opinions about the best option for fixing a leak, so you'll need to compare prices for repair versus replacement. If you need help repairing water-damaged concrete, flooring, or drywall, you may need to contact several other specialists once the leak's underlying cause is addressed.