In Australia, water damage in properties is a real growing concern. It starts with small things like poorly applied shower cubicle seals or loose-fitted flexi-hoses. You won’t immediately notice water damage in your home until one day, you’ll arrive from a holiday trip just to find out your house is already flooded. In the latest insight report from Chubb Australia, water damage claims have been increasing for the past five years, and it has the most number of domestic insurance claims even with fire and burglary combined.
Property damages can rack up thousands of dollars due to water leakage when in fact, the cost to reseal a shower is less than $500. A preventive maintenance act like this could save you from unnecessary expenses. There are two approaches in handling water-related issues in your household, either you call a professional or you handle it on your own. Both ways are acceptable but you must also assess the situation and make an informed decision based on it. Professionals cost more but they can do a better job in handling major problems. DIY kits, on the other hand, cost way less but they may only be able to handle minor repairs. Here are some things to consider if you plan to go the DIY route.
Amount of repair needed
The first thing to assess if you suspect water damage coming from your shower or bathroom is to determine how much damage is there? Check the grouts, shower joints, shower knob, sealant, shower stall, tiles, and walls. For minor leaks and usual maintenance or for isolated small issues, applying shower cubicle seals on your own may already solve the problem. But if notice that there are many interconnected issues causing the bathroom leak, then you might need professional help.
The size of your shower area
The second thing to assess is the size of your bathroom. Smaller bathrooms are easier to handle and work on compared to larger bathrooms which may also have more plumbing components. If you have a small shower area, then you may use a shower floor kit to repair missing grouts. But if you have larger floor space, a DIY kit may not be enough to cover your wet area unless you have the patience and effort.
Budget allocated for repairs
Professional services may cost $500 to over $1,000 depending on the floor size of your bathroom. Bigger spaces mean a bigger budget of course. So you have to check your finances if you plan to undergo a shower repair. A small bathroom needing minor repair can easily cost around $300 or less which is the average price of a DIY kit for shower cubicle seals.