How We Repair Water Damage from a Leaky Shower Pan

A leaky shower pan doesn’t just make your bathroom soggy—it can rot out your subfloor, damage drywall, and invite mold before you even notice a problem. At Total Home Water Restoration, we see this all the time across Grove City and nearby areas like Hilliard, Dublin, and Westerville.

Here’s how we handle it—step by step.

Step 1: Identify the Leak (and Confirm It’s the Pan)

The first thing we do is confirm it’s the shower pan leaking—not a cracked tile or loose plumbing fitting. We’ll run a flood test and use moisture meters and thermal imaging to track the exact water path. This matters because if we skip this step, you could end up tearing out perfectly good material for no reason.

Step 2: Contain the Water Damage

If the leak’s been going on for a while, we’ll check how far the water has spread:

• Subfloor (often damaged if the shower’s on the second floor)

• Adjacent drywall or framing

• Ceiling below, if applicable

We set up drying equipment immediately if anything’s still wet. That includes air movers and dehumidifiers, per IICRC S500 standards.

Step 3: Demo the Right Way

Once we know what’s wet and what’s not, we surgically remove the shower pan, base tiles, and any other materials that are too far gone—like moldy drywall or soft subflooring. We bag and dispose of contaminated materials according to local code and IICRC S520 mold protocols if mold is found.

Step 4: Repair the Structure

Next, we rebuild anything that was damaged:

• Replace rotted subfloor (we use treated plywood when code requires)

• Reinforce joists if they’re compromised

• Install cement board or a waterproof backer (no green board here)

This is where we make sure everything is up to 2021 IRC standards. For instance, we slope the pan base properly (¼" per foot) so water flows where it should.

Step 5: Install the New Shower Pan (the Right Way)

There are two main options here:

• Prefabricated pan: faster install, less cost

• Custom mud bed and liner: more durable, better for tile showers

We always use a quality waterproofing membrane (like Schluter or RedGard) and test the pan before moving forward.

Step 6: Finish the Tile and Trim

We finish things out with:

• Proper waterproof grout and sealants

• Mold-resistant caulk around joints

• High-performance tile adhesives

Then we repaint and retexture any affected walls or ceilings.

Step 7: Final Testing and Walkthrough

Once everything’s buttoned up, we flood test again. We don’t leave until we’re sure the shower’s sealed tight and the bathroom is back to looking—and functioning—like new.

FAQs

How do I know if my shower pan is leaking?
If you see water stains on the ceiling below your bathroom, loose tiles, soft spots in the floor, or musty smells, there’s a good chance the pan is leaking.

Do I need to replace the whole shower?
Not always. If we catch it early, we might only need to replace the pan and a few rows of tile. But if water spread under the whole bathroom, you may be looking at a bigger job.

Can insurance cover a leaking shower pan?
It depends on your policy. If the leak caused “sudden and accidental” damage, it might be covered. But long-term leaks and mold are usually excluded. We can help document the damage either way.

From disaster to done right—at Total Home Water Restoration, we fix it like it’s our own home. If you’re in Grove City, Columbus, or any surrounding area and think your shower pan might be leaking, give us a call at 380-246-1837.