Full Remediation
For Leaking Showers
& Balconies
When you need to repair a leaking shower or fix a leaking balcony and epoxy seal won't cut it — we strip back to the substrate, install a new AS 4658 compliant waterproofing membrane, and rebuild properly. The only lasting fix for membrane failure.
The Real Problem
Why Surface Repairs Fail for Serious Leaks
Epoxy grout and silicone seal the surface between your tiles. They are the right solution when grout and silicone joints are the source of the leak — and they work beautifully for that. But when the waterproofing membrane beneath your tiles has failed, no amount of surface sealing will stop the water.
Water entering through a failed membrane continues to move through the substrate, building up behind tiles, saturating screed and concrete, and eventually appearing as ceiling stains, mould or structural damage — regardless of how many times the surface has been resealed.
Full remediation is the process of stripping back to the substrate, repairing any damage, installing a new compliant waterproofing membrane, and rebuilding. It is the only lasting solution when you need to truly repair a leaking shower or fix a leaking balcony at membrane level.
Sydney Sealed approach: We always diagnose first. If an epoxy seal will fix your leaking shower repair, that's what we recommend — it's faster and more affordable. We only recommend full remediation when it genuinely is the right solution.
Decision Guide
Epoxy Seal vs Full Remediation
The right repair depends entirely on the cause and extent of the leak. Here is how to read the signs.
Epoxy Seal
from $890
Full Remediation
Inspection required
Know The Signs
When Your Leaking Shower or Balcony
Needs Full Remediation
These are the indicators we look for during our free assessment. If you recognise more than two of these, it is likely that an epoxy seal alone will not resolve your leak.
Recurring Leaks
You've had a leaking shower repaired more than once, or a leaking balcony repair that only lasted a few months. Surface-only fixes never last when the membrane has failed.
High Substrate Moisture
Moisture meter readings are elevated across a wide area of wall or floor substrate — not just at visible surface defects. Water is already within the structure.
Hollow or Loose Tiles
Tapping reveals hollow sounds beneath tiles. Tiles are lifting or have already debonded. This indicates water has been moving through the substrate for some time.
Persistent Mould & Odour
Even after cleaning, mould returns quickly in the shower or bathroom. A musty odour that doesn't clear means mould is established within the wall substrate.
Ceiling Damage Below
Water stains, paint bubbling or corrosion on the ceiling or walls below your shower or balcony means water has been migrating through the structure for a long time.
Efflorescence (Salt Deposits)
White salt deposits on balcony edges or shower walls confirm that water has been actively moving through concrete or masonry — the waterproofing membrane is compromised.
How Long It Takes
Epoxy Seal vs Full Remediation Timeframes
Standard sized showers and balconies.
Shower
Epoxy Seal
Epoxy seal — standard sized shower
2–4 hours
Full Remediation
Full remediation — standard sized shower
1–2 days
Balcony
Epoxy Seal
Epoxy seal — standard sized balcony
4–8 hours
Full Remediation
Full remediation — standard sized balcony
3–5 days
Timeframes are for standard residential shower or balcony sizes. Larger areas, significant structural damage or complex access may extend the timeline. We give you an accurate schedule after our free diagnostic assessment — before any work begins.
Step by Step
Our Full Remediation Process
Diagnostic Assessment
Moisture mapping, thermal imaging, substrate testing
Careful Strip-Out
Tile removal, substrate exposure, debris removal
Substrate Repair
Concrete crack repair, screed replacement if needed
New Membrane Install
AS 4658 liquid membrane, full coverage & flood test
Reinstatement
Re-tile or reinstate, epoxy grout, silicone
Transparent Pricing
What Does Full Remediation Cost?
Full remediation pricing is always quoted after our free on-site inspection — because scope varies too much to give a fair fixed price upfront. Here is how it compares to our standard services.
Standard Option
Epoxy Seal
- Grout & silicone surface treatment
- 2–4 hrs shower / 4–8 hrs balcony
- No tile removal
- Best for surface-level failure
- 5-year workmanship warranty
When Membrane Has Failed
Full Remediation
Scope varies — we quote after free assessment
- Complete strip-out & substrate repair
- 1–2 days shower / 3–5 days balcony
- New AS 4658 membrane installation
- 24–48 hr flood test before reinstatement
- 10-year workmanship warranty + compliance cert
After Remediation
Maintenance Plan
- Annual wet area inspection
- Early deterioration detection
- Written condition report
- Priority repair scheduling
- 10% discount on all repairs
Why does full remediation need an inspection for a quote?
The cost of a leaking shower or balcony repair at full remediation level depends on the extent of substrate damage, size of the area, type of tiles and reinstatement materials, structural repairs required and access constraints. No two jobs are identical. Rather than give you a misleading estimate, we provide a free, accurate, itemised quote after our diagnostic assessment — so there are never any surprises. Book your free assessment now.
10-Year Workmanship Warranty
All full remediation work is backed by a 10-year workmanship warranty. We stand behind our work — if the repair fails due to our workmanship within the warranty period, we fix it at no cost.
AS 4658 Compliance Certificate
Full membrane replacements include Form 16 compliance certificates where required by NSW legislation, confirming the work meets AS 4658 Waterproofing Membranes for Internal and External Use.
24–48 Hour Flood Test
Before any tiles are reinstated, the completed membrane is flood tested for 24–48 hours. We only cover the membrane once it has passed this test — no exceptions.
Common Questions
Full Remediation FAQs
Ready to Fix It Properly?
Stop Patching. Fix the Source.
If you need to repair a leaking shower or fix a leaking balcony for good, a Sydney Sealed free assessment will confirm whether full remediation is what you need — and give you a clear, itemised quote with no surprises.
Related Articles from Our Blog