Shower tray leaking onto floor below

Identify the source — is water leaking through the shower screen seal, the tray-to-wall seal, or from the shower tray waste pipe connection beneath the tray?

Check the tray waste connection — access under the tray (or through an access panel if fitted) and look for drips from the waste pipe when the shower is running. A loose or cracked waste fitting is a common cause.

Check all silicone seals where the shower tray meets the wall tiles — press along the bead with a finger. Any areas that flex or feel hollow indicate the seal has failed.

To reseal: use a Stanley knife to carefully remove all the old silicone. Clean the surfaces with methylated spirits. Apply masking tape either side of the joint, apply new sanitary silicone, and smooth it with a wetted finger. Remove tape before the silicone skins.

If the leak is from a crack in the shower tray itself, resealing will not fix it permanently. A cracked acrylic tray can be repaired with a specialist repair kit, but a cracked stone resin or ceramic tray usually needs replacing.

If the cause is not obvious, a plumber can use dye tablets or moisture meters to trace the exact leak path.