shower tiles being regrouted by a woman's hand

Thinking About Regrouting Your Shower? What to Know Before You Hire

Before you call a plumber, tiler or waterproofing specialist like Megasealed, here are the key questions that can help you protect your bathroom, avoid unnecessary costs and choose the right person for the job.

Firstly, is it time to regrout?

You may need regrouting if you notice:

  • cracked or missing grout
  • mould that keeps coming back
  • discoloured grout lines
  • loose or drummy tiles
  • water pooling around shower edges
  • damp smells after showering
  • peeling or failing silicone
  • signs of water damage outside the shower

Not sure what you’re looking at? A Megasealed technician can inspect the wet area and recommend whether regrouting, sealing or a broader repair is needed.

Get a free quote now

Who should I call?

When you notice cracked grout, mouldy silicone or water escaping from your shower, it can be hard to know who to contact first. Many homeowners assume they need a plumber, while others call a tiler straight away, but the right choice depends on the cause of the issue.

Use the comparison table below to help understand who may be best suited to different types of shower repair issues before booking someone in.

Problem Regrouting / Waterproofing Specialist Plumber Tiler
Leaking shower with tiles still intact Yes Sometimes Sometimes
Cracked grout Yes No Sometimes
Failed silicone joints Yes No Sometimes
Non-tile removal repair options Yes No Rarely
Leak diagnosis/targeted repair Yes Sometimes Sometimes
Broken pipe/plumbing leak May identify, but a plumber may be required Yes No
Full tile replacement Sometimes No Yes

Swipe across to view the full table.

 

Tip: If the issue appears to be grout, sealant, joints, or surface waterproofing, a regrouting or waterproofing specialist may be the best first call. If the issue is behind the wall or pipe-related, a plumber may be needed.

What kind of questions to ask & red flags to look for

Before booking someone to regrout your shower, it helps to know what to ask — and what kind of answers to look for. The right specialist should be able to explain the issue clearly, inspect the shower properly and recommend a repair that suits the actual cause of the problem.

Use this checklist to compare responses and spot any red flags before approving the work.

1. Do you specialise in shower regrouting?

Look for:
A specialist who regularly works with leaking showers, damaged grout, failed silicone and wet area repairs.

Good answer:
“We’ll inspect the shower first and recommend the most suitable repair based on what’s actually causing the issue.”

Red flag:
“We can just scrape it out and put new grout over the top.”

2. Can you inspect whether the issue is grout, sealant, tiles or plumbing?

Look for:
A proper assessment of the grout, silicone joints, tile condition and visible signs of moisture.

Good answer:
“We’ll assess the shower area and let you know if the issue appears to be grout, silicone, tiles or plumbing-related.”

Red flag:
“It’s definitely the grout” or “It’s definitely a pipe” without inspecting it properly.

3. Do you offer non-tile removal options?

Look for:
A specialist who can explain whether regrouting, resealing or targeted waterproofing may be possible without removing tiles.

Good answer:
“If the tiles are still sound, we may be able to provide a non-tile removal repair option.”

Red flag:
“You’ll need to rip everything out” before they have inspected the shower.

4. What preparation is required?

Look for:
Proper removal of damaged grout or silicone, cleaning, preparation and use of suitable wet area materials.

Good answer:
“We remove the damaged grout and silicone, prepare the area and explain drying times before the shower can be used again.”

Red flag:
“We’ll just grout over what’s already there.”

5. Are you licensed, insured and experienced in wet areas?

Look for:
Experience with bathrooms, showers and wet area repairs — not just general handyman work.

Good answer:
“We’re experienced in wet area repairs and can provide information about our process, insurance and workmanship standards.”

Red flag:
“It’s only grout, anyone can do it.”

6. How long will the work take, and when can I use the shower again?

Look for:
Clear guidance on timing, drying, curing and aftercare.

Good answer:
“We’ll explain how long the job will take, when the shower can be used again and how to maintain the result.”

Red flag:
“You can probably use it straight away.”

7. What warranty do you offer?

Look for:
Clear information about what is covered, how long the warranty lasts and any conditions that apply.

Good answer:
“We provide a warranty on our work and will explain what it covers before we begin.”

Red flag:
“There’s no warranty” or “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

8. Will you explain the repair process before starting?

Look for:
A clear explanation of what was found, what is recommended and what will happen next.

Good answer:
“We’ll walk you through the issue, the recommended repair, timing and what to expect afterwards.”

Red flag:
“It’s complicated, but we know what we’re doing.”

9. Will regrouting fix the issue, or do I need another type of repair?

Look for:
Honest advice about whether regrouting is the right solution or whether plumbing, tiling or structural issues may also need attention.

Good answer:
“Regrouting may solve the issue if the problem is with grout, silicone or surface sealing. If we find something else, we’ll explain the next step.”

Red flag:
“Yes, regrouting fixes every leaking shower.”

10. How can I maintain the shower after regrouting?

Look for:
Simple aftercare advice to help protect the finish and reduce mould, staining or early wear.

Good answer:
“We’ll explain how to clean the grout, what products to avoid and what warning signs to watch for.”

Red flag:
“You don’t need to do anything after it’s done.”

Know What to Ask Before You Regrout

Regrouting your shower can be a smart way to refresh your bathroom and help protect it from future water issues, but only when the job is properly assessed and completed by the right specialist.

Before hiring someone, take the time to ask the right questions, understand what is causing the problem and check whether regrouting, resealing or another repair option is the best fit.

If you are noticing cracked grout, mould that keeps coming back, failing silicone or signs of water escaping from your shower, Megasealed can help inspect the issue and recommend the right next step.

Book a free quote today and get expert advice before a small shower problem becomes a bigger repair.

Get a free quote now

  • Megasealed has been Australia’s leader in bathroom and balcony leak repairs for over 30 years, providing innovative, tile-free solutions that save time and money. As the only nationally certified company in the industry with ISO 9001 accreditation, Megasealed delivers expert service using exclusive, premium products. With 34 franchises covering 125 territories, we complete over 20,000 leak repairs annually, backed by memberships with AIW, HIA, and the Master Plumbers Association.

Our Standard Megasealed Service Is Quicker, Cleaner And More Cost-Effective Than A Full Tile Removal Solution.

Industry leaders for over 30 years

One of the first in the business to fix leaks and renew wet areas without removing tiles, we’re proud pioneers of this revolutionary process.

Exclusive, premium products

Depending on the most suitable solution for your situation, our Technicians will use our own unique and exclusive products to ensure the highest quality results.

Nationwide service, local support

We service almost every state, with family-run franchises delivering affordable solutions to local communities across the country.

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