Frequently Asked Questions

Common signs include water stains or damp patches on walls and ceilings below the bathroom, a musty smell, peeling paint or wallpaper, loose or hollow-sounding tiles, and visible mould or mildew. If you spot any of these, it's worth booking a free inspection before the damage spreads.

Both are possible, and the symptoms can look identical. A shower leak usually shows up as a slow stain that grows when the shower is used and dries out between uses. A plumbing leak tends to be constant or get worse regardless of shower use. Our technicians inspect on-site to identify the source — and if it turns out to be plumbing, we'll tell you straight up so you can call a licensed plumber.

The most common cause is failed grout and silicone in the tile joints — they break down over 8–15 years from constant water exposure and minor building movement. Less commonly, the waterproofing membrane underneath the tiles fails. Building movement, poor original installation, and age all play a part.

Yes — and it's the main reason not to delay repairs. Long-term leaks rot timber framing and floor joists, cause spalling (concrete degradation) in concrete slabs, promote mould growth, and reduce property value. What starts as a $1,500 repair can turn into a $20,000+ rebuild if ignored.

In most cases, no. Our epoxy regrouting process removes the old damaged grout, cleans the joints, and rebuilds them with premium waterproof epoxy grout — no tile removal, no demolition, no re-tiling. It's faster, cleaner, and a fraction of the cost of a full bathroom rebuild.

Cost depends on shower size, condition of the existing grout, and access. For an instant ballpark, use the pricing calculator on our Shower Repairs page — or book a free on-site inspection for a firm written quote.

Cost depends on balcony size, condition, and whether the job is sealing/regrouting or a full re-waterproofing with membrane replacement. Use the pricing calculator on our Balcony Repairs page for an estimate, or book a free on-site inspection for a firm written quote.

We can give you a rough indication over the phone after a few quick questions about size, age, and symptoms — but a firm price always requires an on-site inspection. Sealing leaks isn't one-size-fits-all, and we'd rather quote you accurately than guess.

No. Inspections and quotes are completely free and obligation-free across Sydney. You only pay if you decide to proceed with the repair.

No. You receive a detailed written quote before any work starts, and the quoted price is what you pay. If we discover something unexpected mid-job (which is rare), we stop and get your written approval before doing anything extra.

We accept EFT bank transfer, credit and debit card, and BPAY. Payment is only required after the job is complete and you're fully satisfied with the work.

Get in touch with us directly on 0466 532 444 and we'll discuss what's possible based on the scope of your job.

Most shower epoxy regrouting jobs are completed in 3–6 hours on the same day. The shower then needs an overnight cure (typically usable by the next morning) and reaches full cure at 48 hours.

Sealing and regrouting work on a balcony typically takes 1–2 days. Full re-waterproofing jobs that involve membrane replacement can take 3–5 days depending on size and weather. We'll give you a clear timeline in the quote.

A few simple steps help us get straight to work: take your last shower by 9pm the night before so the area can dry, remove shampoo bottles and personal items from the shower, and give the tiles a light clean if you can. We'll handle everything else.

Far less than a renovation. We use drop sheets to protect your home, dust-controlled grout-removal tools, and we vacuum and wipe down before leaving. There's some moderate tool noise during the grout removal stage, but most clients are surprised at how tidy the job is.

No, you can stay home as normal. The bathroom or balcony being worked on will be unavailable for a few hours, but the rest of your home is unaffected.

We need access at the start and end of the job, but you don't need to be present the whole time. Many clients let us in, head to work, and we lock up and message you when we're done.

Sometimes — if the additional scope is small and we have time. For larger extra work (e.g. a second bathroom or balcony), we'll usually provide a separate quote and schedule it as its own visit so we can do it properly.

Regrouting is replacing the grout in the tile joints (the lines between tiles). Resealing is replacing the silicone in the corners and internal angles where two surfaces meet. Most leaks are fixed with both — and we include both in our standard shower repair.

Typically the next morning — the epoxy grout needs an overnight cure (around 12 hours) before the shower can be used. Full cure is reached at 48 hours, after which the seal is at maximum strength.

For sealing and regrouting work, foot traffic is usually fine after 24–48 hours. Heavy furniture or planters should wait the full 48 hours. Membrane jobs may need longer — we'll tell you exactly on the day.

Yes, completely normal. It's a thin haze of grout residue from the application process. Wipe it down with a damp microfibre cloth and it lifts away easily.

Wait at least 6–8 weeks before patching, painting, or repairing the affected ceiling or wall. The trapped moisture inside the structure needs time to fully dry out — patching too early traps moisture behind the paint and the damage will reappear.

Usually yes — fresh, clean grout lines and new silicone make a noticeable visual improvement, even though our goal is sealing the leak rather than cleaning. You can also choose a colour-matched grout to refresh the look.

Use non-abrasive cleaners (avoid bleach-heavy products and abrasive scourers, which can dull the epoxy over time). Epoxy grout naturally resists mould and mildew far better than cement grout, so general bathroom cleaning is all that's needed to keep it looking good.

Every repair is backed by our 10-Year Warranty covering both materials and workmanship. If a sealed area leaks again within the warranty period, we re-attend at no cost.

The warranty covers epoxy grout failure, silicone seal failure, and workmanship defects on the specific areas we sealed. You receive a written warranty document with every completed job.

The warranty doesn't cover plumbing leaks (these are a separate trade), structural building movement that creates new cracks, third-party damage (e.g. another tradesperson cutting into the area), or work later modified by someone else.

The warranty is tied to the property address rather than the owner, so it remains valid for the new homeowner during the warranty period. Pass on the warranty document at settlement.

Just call us on 0466 532 444 or use the contact form. We'll book a return visit, inspect the area, and if it falls under the warranty we re-do the work at no cost to you.

Epoxy regrouting and resealing is a long-lasting repair — backed by our 10-year warranty, with most jobs lasting well beyond that with normal use. It's far more durable than the cement grout originally installed in most bathrooms.

Cement grout is porous, absorbs water, stains easily, and cracks over time as the building moves. Epoxy grout is 100% waterproof, doesn't crack, resists stains and chemicals, and naturally resists mould. It's the gold standard for wet areas.

Epoxy grout is made from epoxy resins instead of cement. It's flexible enough to handle minor building movement without cracking, fully waterproof, and lasts decades. It's the same material used in commercial kitchens, hospitals, and swimming pools.

Spalling happens when water penetrates concrete and reaches the steel reinforcement inside. The steel rusts, expands, and cracks the surrounding concrete from within. It's a common cause of balcony deterioration in Sydney apartments — and proper waterproofing prevents it.

Only when sealing and regrouting won't solve the problem. Membrane replacement is a much bigger job — it involves removing tiles, applying a new membrane, and re-tiling. We'll always recommend the least invasive option that will actually fix your leak.

In the vast majority of leaking showers, the tile joints (grout and silicone) are the failure point — not the tiles or the membrane underneath. Rebuilding those joints with waterproof epoxy stops the water entry without disturbing the tiles.

Yes, in most cases. Sealing the joints and regrouting with epoxy stops most balcony leaks. In severe cases where the membrane has failed across the whole slab, full re-waterproofing with tile removal is required — we'll tell you honestly which option you need.

Yes. Once fully cured (48 hours), epoxy grout is inert, food-safe, and non-toxic. It's the same product used in commercial food prep areas. There's no ongoing exposure or off-gassing.

Yes — we carry a range of colour-matched epoxy grout options. Most clients match the original grout colour, but it's also a good chance to update the look if you want to.

Yes — we service every Sydney suburb from the CBD and Eastern Suburbs through the Inner West, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Hills District, Sutherland Shire and Western Sydney. See our Suburbs page for the full list.

We typically attend for inspections within 24–48 hours of your enquiry. Urgent jobs are prioritised — call us on 0466 532 444 if your leak is causing active damage.

Yes. Our Saturday hours are 9:30am–1:00pm, subject to availability. Weekend slots fill up quickly, so book early. Our weekday hours are Monday–Friday 7:30am–3:00pm.

Yes, urgent leaks get priority booking. Call 0466 532 444 directly and explain the situation — if water is actively damaging your property, we'll do everything we can to attend the same day or next morning.

Yes. All Sydney Sealed technicians are background-checked and we carry full public liability insurance. You can request proof of insurance before any job — strata managers and property managers receive it as standard with the quote.

Absolutely — strata is a major part of our work. We have a dedicated strata coordination process with priority scheduling, written reports, and clear documentation. Visit our Strata page for full details.

Yes. We work to your standard work order process, send invoices direct to the managing agency, and follow your communication and reporting requirements.

Yes. Every strata job comes with a written report including before/after photos, scope of work completed, materials used, and the warranty document — formatted for committee meetings and building records.

Yes. Once you share the tenant's contact details, we liaise directly with them to book a suitable time, send confirmation reminders, and report back to you once the job is complete.

Yes. Building-wide and multi-unit jobs receive volume pricing. Get in touch with the unit count and scope, and we'll put together a tailored proposal.