Match what you notice
- While filling or with the taps off
- A tap connection or supply pipe may be leaking. Tell us if the water keeps appearing after the bath is empty and the taps are off.
- While the bath holds water below the overflow
- We look for the first drop around the waste and inspect the underside of the bath for damage. If the bath loses water and the floor stays dry, we check how the plug sits and whether its seal or the waste needs replacing.
- When water reaches the overflow
- We check whether the overflow is loose, then inspect its seal, hose and connections from below. If a concealed overflow cannot be reached through a panel, the bath may need to be lifted.
- While the bath empties
- The waste, trap or outlet joint may leak under flow. Tell us if the bath also drains slowly or the room below gets wet.
- Only while using the shower over the bath
- Spray may reach a gap at the screen, bath edge or wall. The leak can follow a different path from water escaping through the waste.
Which part might need replacing?
The waste is the fitting where the plug sits. The overflow is the higher opening in the side of the bath. A hose often joins it to the waste, and the trap connects the waste to the drain. Each has separate seals or joints. We check the source, size and available space before selecting a part.
When the bath moves or the floor feels soft
We check the feet, support and floor, and look for the source of any moisture. A sound floor may allow the support to be rebuilt in place. Damage beneath the bath may require removal to inspect the subfloor and joists. If the bath itself has a through-crack, we discuss replacement.
If the floor keeps getting wet between uses
We check visible connections first. With taps and appliances off, a moving water meter can help identify water use that needs investigating. Where a pipe is concealed, we discuss an inspection opening and agree access before opening a floor or ceiling.
What to report without running the bath again
Tell us when you first saw the water and where it appeared. A photo of the bath, its plug and overflow, and a safe photo of the damp area can help. Leave fixed panels in place. If water is actively escaping, see our first checks for a leak and call us.
Water leak at home: what to check first