Tiling & sealant work — repairing where water has penetrated
Black or loose sealant edges in the shower, a tile that sounds hollow or grout that's crumbling: it seems a small thing, but it's often the spot where water gets behind the tiles. We find the cause, fix any leak and restore the tiling and sealant work neatly.
Sealant work or tiles damaged?
Call or message us, feel free to send a photo.
Call 070 783 0224 Message via WhatsApp Request a call-back ★★★★★ Rated on Google · 24/7 for emergenciesTiles are watertight, the joints aren't always
Tiles themselves don't let water through. The weak spots are in the joints: the sealant edges along the bath, the shower tray and the washbasin, and the grout between the tiles. Sealant becomes hard over time, comes loose or turns black with mould. Grout can crack or become porous. Through those gaps, a little water gets behind the tiles with every shower.
You won't see that at first. After a while, tiles start to sound hollow or come loose, a damp patch appears in the adjacent wall or in the ceiling below, or it smells musty. Then it's important to find the cause first: is it in the sealant work, in a leaking drain or in a pipe behind the wall? Read more about leaks in the bathroom.
- Black or loose sealant — along the bath, shower or washbasin.
- Hollow or loose tiles — you can hear it when you tap on them.
- Grout that's crumbling — or stays dark after showering.
- Damp patch next to or below it — in the wall, the hallway or at the neighbours'.
Tiling and sealant work repair
First the cause, then the repair — so you won't be dealing with it again in a few months.
Renewing sealant work
Remove all the old sealant, clean and dry the joint, and apply new sanitary sealant. Along bath, shower, washbasin, toilet and worktop.
Call 070 783 0224Loose tiles & joints
Repair loose or cracked tiles and damaged grout, so that no more water gets behind.
Call 070 783 0224Leak behind the tiles
Has water already got behind the tiles? We'll find where it's coming from, even if it's a pipe or drain.
More about leak detectionMaking good after pipework
Did we have to remove tiles to access a pipe or drain? Then we'll make it neat again.
Call 070 783 0224When repair is enough, and when it isn't
Often the sealant work is the culprit and renewing the sealant joints is enough. A few loose tiles or damaged grout can usually be repaired well too. The trickiest part is often finding a matching tile: if you still have spare tiles from last time, keep them.
If water has been sitting behind the tiles for a long time, if the substrate has become soft or if large sections are coming loose, local repair is sometimes no longer enough. We tell you honestly what we see. If your bathroom is due for renewal anyway, see bathroom renovation.
- Just the sealant — black, cracked or loose: old sealant out, new sealant in.
- Individual tiles or grout — repair loose or cracked tiles and damaged grout locally.
- Water behind the tiles — first find and fix the source of the water, only then seal it.
- Large sections loose or soft substrate — then we'll discuss whether a larger intervention makes more sense.
Sealed again in 4 steps
A fixed price in advance, and we prefer to complete the job in one visit.
You call or message
Send a photo of the sealant edge, the tile or the damp patch. Then we'll see straight away what's involved.
Price in advance
You'll know the cost of the repair in advance.
Cause & repair
We find where the water is coming from, fix it and repair the tiling and sealant work.
Curing
We'll tell you how long the sealant needs to dry before you can shower again.
How to prevent worse
A few habits keep sealant and grout in good condition for longer.
- Squeegee the shower dry — with a squeegee after showering. This leaves less water standing on the grout and sealant edges.
- Ventilate well — leave the extractor running or open a window. Moisture and warmth are ideal for mould in the sealant.
- Tap the tiles — if a tile sounds hollow, or moves, there may be moisture behind it. Have it checked.
- Temporarily seal a damaged sealant edge — with waterproof tape, until the sealant work is renewed.
When should you call us?
- Urgent — water is leaking through to the neighbours or the ceiling below.
- Soon — sealant joints are black or loose, tiles sound hollow or grout is crumbling.
- By appointment — you want the sealant work in bathroom, toilet or kitchen renewed.
Not sure? Call 070 783 0224 — we'll help you think it through, no obligation.
Sealant work or tiles damaged? We can help you.
Fixed price upfront · often same day · 24/7 for emergencies · ★★★★★ Rated on Google
Useful reading
Explained by our tradesmen.
Bathroom leak
Read more →Recognising a leak at the shower drain
Read more →Damp patch in the ceiling: causes
Read more →Water damage and insurance
Read more →Also useful: Bathroom installation · Bathroom Renovation · Leak Detection · Leak · Water damage
Frequently asked questions about tiling and sealant work
How do I know if the sealant work needs renewing?
When the sealant is black with mould, cracked, has hardened or is coming away from the tile or bath. Then water gets behind it. A damp patch in the wall next to the shower is also a warning sign.
Can I apply sealant over the old sealant?
Preferably not. New sealant adheres poorly to old sealant and mould remains underneath. The old sealant must be completely removed and the joint must be clean and dry before new sealant goes in.
A tile in the shower sounds hollow. Is that a problem?
It may mean that water has got behind the tile and the adhesive is letting go. Have it checked before the tile breaks or more damage occurs.
How long must new sealant dry before I can shower?
That depends on the sealant and the thickness of the joint. Usually it's wise to wait at least a day. We'll tell you at handover.
Can you replace loose tiles if I don't have spare tiles?
That can be difficult, because old tiles are often no longer available. We'll look at the options together. If you still have spare tiles, keep them.
Water is leaking to the neighbours. Is it the sealant work?
That's possible, but it could also be a leaking drain or pipe. We first find out where the water is coming from, so we can fix the right thing.
Do you also tile complete bathrooms?
For a complete bathroom we take care of the pipework, drainage and bathroom fixtures. This page is about repairing tiling and sealant work, for example after a leak.