Bathroom Reno Gone Wrong? I’ll Tell You What’s Actually Happening
Most people don’t plan for a bathroom to go sideways.
You hire someone, pay a deposit, things look fine for a while… then the cracks start showing. Water not draining, tiles lifting, mould creeping in, or worse, the job just gets abandoned.
If you’re in that spot, you don’t need another sales pitch.
You need someone to look at it properly and tell you straight what’s going on and what your options are.
That’s where I come in.
What I Help With
I get contacted when things haven’t gone to plan. Common issues include:
- Leaking showers after a renovation or new build
- Failed or missing waterproofing
- Water pooling due to incorrect falls
- Cracked tiles or grout failure
- Mould or moisture coming through walls
- Poor workmanship or unfinished jobs
- Bathrooms that don’t meet Australian standards
What I Actually Do (set expectations clearly)
I’m not a lawyer, and I’m not here to get involved in disputes.
What I do is simple and practical:
- Review your bathroom (photos or in person, where possible)
- Point out what’s wrong and why it’s happening
- Let you know how serious it is
- Give you a clear plan on how to fix it properly
- If you’re in my area, I can quote to rectify the work
If you’re not local, I can still give you guidance so you know what you’re dealing with before speaking to another tradie.
How It Works
Step 1 – Send through details
Photos, a quick rundown of what’s happened, and where you’re located
Step 2 – Initial feedback
I’ll give you straight advice on what it looks like and what to do next
Step 3 – Next steps
If needed, we can organise a proper inspection or quote
Why People Reach Out To Me
- 20+ years working on bathrooms
- Renovated bathrooms in WA, QLD and NSW
- Seen just about every mistake that can be made
- Straight answers, no fluff
- Focus on fixing the problem properly, not patching it
Let Me Guide You
I don’t provide formal building reports or legal opinions.
If you need documentation for insurance, court, or disputes, I can point you in the right direction. My role is to help you understand the problem and what it will take to fix it, including pointing you in the right direction for who can help you in your state, both practically and legally, in case you need to take it further.
Got a bathroom issue? Send it through.
Include:
- A few photos
- What’s happening
- Your location
I’ll take a look and let you know what you’re dealing with in 24 hours.
My role here is to offer an initial free advice and help if I can to hopefully give you some peace of mind or at least a practical solution to a bathroom fault you are worried about.
If you would like to check out my Australian Waterproofing Guide For Bathroom (Tap Here)
Follow my Instagram for the latest videos and advice @jimthebathroomguy
FAQ – Bathroom Problems & Renovation Issues
What causes a leaking shower after a renovation?
Most of the time it comes down to waterproofing not being done properly. This can be many factors but the big ones are below
That could be:
- No membrane at all
- Incorrect application
- Poor detailing around corners, niches, or drains
It can also be things like bad falls (water sitting instead of draining) or movement causing grout and seals to fail.
An important thing to know, tiles and grout aren’t waterproof. If the waterproofing behind them isn’t right, water will get through eventually but this could be the next day or 30 years it really can be multiple different factors.
How do I know if waterproofing has failed?
Some of the common signs are:
- Damp or mouldy smells that don’t go away
- Water stains on walls or ceilings nearby
- Skirting boards swelling or damage in the next room
- Loose tiles or cracking grout
- Persistent mould in the shower area
By the time you’re seeing these, water has usually already made its way past where it should be.
The difference between rising dampness, which is slow and gradual and a leak is one is fast and constant, even when you don’t use a the shower.
Can a bad bathroom renovation be fixed?
Yes, but it depends on how bad the problem is.
Small issues can sometimes be repaired, but if waterproofing has failed, there’s no proper shortcut fix. In most cases, it means removing tiles and starting again in the affected areas.
It’s not what people want to hear, but patch jobs usually just delay a bigger problem.
Do I need to rip the whole bathroom out?
Not always.
If the issue is isolated, you might be able to strip and redo just the shower or a section of the bathroom.
But if the problems are widespread or the original work wasn’t done to standard, a full redo can end up being the more cost-effective option long term.
Who is responsible if my bathroom renovation is defective?
In Australia, the original builder or contractor is generally responsible if the work doesn’t meet required standards.
That said, getting it resolved isn’t always straightforward. It can involve going back and forth, and sometimes formal complaints or inspections.
Before heading down that path, it helps to understand exactly what’s wrong and how serious it is.
Most bathroom defects, when it comes to the big ones like waterproofing or tiles falling off have a 6-year guarantee in australia by whoever laid or made it.
Is it worth fixing a leaking shower early?
Yes. Waiting usually makes it worse and more expensive.
Water damage doesn’t just sit still. It spreads into walls, flooring, and adjacent rooms. What starts as a small issue can turn into a full strip-out if left too long.
How much does it cost to fix a bad bathroom renovation?
It varies a lot depending on the issue.
- Minor repairs might be a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars
- Re-doing a shower can run several thousand dollars to half the cost of a bathroom (Think it’s usually about 70 per cent of a bathroom renovation work)
- Full bathroom rectification can be similar to doing a new renovation
The biggest factor is whether waterproofing has failed and how far the damage has spread. The key is if the issue is in the shower area or not.
What should I do first if I think something’s wrong?
Take clear photos and stop using the area if water is leaking where it shouldn’t.
From there, get someone experienced to look at it and give you a proper idea of what’s happening before spending more money.
Jim The Bathroom Guy 