Why has my shower tray cracked?
A shower tray can crack when it flexes under weight, has uneven support, receives an impact or develops stress around the waste. Even a fine crack can let water reach the floor below, so stop using the shower until the tray and surrounding area have been checked.
What should I do first?
Dry the tray and look closely at the mark without standing on it. Check the ceiling below, nearby skirting, flooring and the outside of the enclosure for dampness. If water has appeared, keep the shower out of use and arrange an inspection promptly.
Do not test a suspected crack by filling the tray or pressing on it. Extra movement can enlarge the damage and send more water beneath the floor.
Why do shower trays crack?
The most common underlying problem is movement. A tray needs firm, even support suitable for its type. Gaps in the base, loose legs, floor movement or an unsuitable bedding material can allow it to flex repeatedly until the surface fails.
A dropped object can cause impact damage. Cracks can also form around an overtightened or poorly supported waste fitting, or where the building and tray move differently. The crack's position and whether the tray moves underfoot help an installer identify the likely cause.
Can a cracked shower tray be repaired?
Some specialists can make cosmetic repairs to small surface chips or marks. A structural crack is different: sealing only the visible line may hide it temporarily without restoring the tray's strength or correcting movement underneath.
A repair is unlikely to last if the tray flexes, the crack passes through the material, or water has already escaped. The support and waste connection must be assessed before deciding whether any repair is appropriate.
Will the whole shower need replacing?
Often the tray needs replacing, but the entire bathroom may not. Access can require removing the enclosure, lower tiles or wall panels and disturbed seals. The installer should also inspect the floor, tray support and waste so the new tray is not fitted over the same problem.
Matching existing tiles can be difficult, so careful planning may reduce how much surrounding finish is disturbed. Any damp materials should be allowed to dry and damaged timber or boards repaired before the shower is rebuilt.
Could the mark be something else?
Surface scratches, mould lines and crazing in the finish can resemble cracks. Clean the area gently and inspect it in good light. If the line catches a fingernail, changes when weight is applied, returns after drying or sits beside a leak, treat it as possible damage and get it checked.
Quick cracked-tray checklist
- Stop using the shower if the mark may pass through the tray.
- Check the room and ceiling below for damp patches.
- Do not press, fill or flex the tray to test it.
- Note whether the tray moves or creaks underfoot.
- Avoid covering the crack with silicone as a permanent fix.
- Have the support, floor and waste checked before replacement.