Shower Tray Replacement & Structural Floor Repair in Hornchurch, Essex

Background

A homeowner in Hornchurch, Essex, contacted Lazard Plumbing after noticing their shower tray had cracked and was beginning to leak. The customer initially hoped the problem could be resolved with a straightforward shower tray replacement while retaining the existing shower enclosure and fittings.

However, once our engineers removed the shower tray, it quickly became clear that the visible crack was only part of the problem. Water had been leaking beneath the shower for some time, causing significant damage to the timber floor structure below.

Project Details

Client

Residential Homeowner

Property Type

Private Residential Property

Project Location

Hornchurch, Essex (RM11)

Services Provided

• Shower tray replacement
• Leak investigation
• Structural floor repairs
• Timber subfloor reconstruction
• Shower base preparation
• Waterproofing preparation

The Challenges

Cracked Shower Tray

The shower tray had failed, allowing water to escape beneath the enclosure whenever the shower was used.

Hidden Structural Damage

Once the tray was removed, extensive water damage was discovered beneath the floor. Several sections of the timber subfloor had deteriorated due to prolonged moisture exposure.

Poor Original Installation

The existing shower tray had not been adequately supported and showed signs of insufficient waterproofing. Over time, movement within the tray contributed to the cracking and allowed water to penetrate into the structural floor beneath.

Our Solution

Investigation & Removal

We carefully dismantled the shower enclosure and removed the damaged shower tray to expose the entire shower base. This allowed us to identify the true source of the leak and assess the full extent of the damage beneath the floor, rather than simply replacing the visible components.

Structural Floor Repairs

All water-damaged flooring materials were removed before the timber floor structure was thoroughly inspected.

Where necessary, rotten timber was replaced and the shower base was reconstructed to create a solid, level and structurally sound foundation capable of supporting the new shower tray correctly for many years to come.

Rebuilding the Shower Base

Once the structural repairs were complete, the shower area was rebuilt using suitable support materials and prepared for waterproofing before the installation of the replacement shower tray.

By addressing the underlying cause of the failure instead of simply replacing the damaged tray, the new installation will be properly supported and far better protected against future leaks.

The Result

What initially appeared to be a straightforward shower tray replacement in a Hornchurch home became a complete structural floor repair project.

By fully investigating the leak instead of treating only the visible symptoms, we were able to identify hidden damage that could have continued to worsen for years.

The customer now has complete confidence that the shower area has been rebuilt correctly from the structure upwards, providing a safe, solid and long-lasting installation while preventing further water damage to their home.

Project Outcome

• Hidden leak identified and resolved
• Extensive water-damaged flooring removed
• Structural timber floor repaired and strengthened
• Shower base rebuilt to industry standards
• Area prepared for waterproofing
• Long-term protection against future water ingress
• Safe, solid foundation ready for the new shower tray installation

Why This Matters

One of the most common mistakes we see is homeowners replacing a cracked shower tray without investigating what caused it to fail in the first place. In many cases, the real problem lies beneath the tray, where hidden water damage or inadequate support can continue to compromise the floor structure.

At Lazard Plumbing, we always investigate the underlying cause before recommending a repair. While this sometimes reveals additional work that wasn’t initially expected, it ensures the problem is resolved properly the first time, helping homeowners avoid repeat failures and far more expensive structural repairs in the future.