24/10/2025
🚿 When a small mistake becomes a big problem! 💧
I was called out to a shower that had started leaking slightly — but at first, nothing obvious showed where the water was coming from. Everything appeared fine on the surface, it wad only when I began stripping it out, the problem became clear…Unfortunately the previous installer had installed the shower door incorrectly— and it’s caused a tiny leak.
The shower room was only 4–5 years old, but water had been leaking into the timber base, rotting it out and eventually leaking through into the bedroom below.
To make matters worse, plasterboard had been used inside the shower enclosure instead of a waterproof tile backer board — something you still see in a lot of new builds because it’s not a legal requirement and it saves builders money. Sadly, it just doesn’t last.
🔧 I do things differently.
All my tiling is fixed onto waterproof tile backer boards, and in wet areas — as you’ll see in some of the photos — I silicone every joints, making the whole area waterproof before a single tile is even laid.
Most customers wouldn’t know the difference between what someone else does and what I do — and that’s completely understandable. But I take pride in my work because I want it to last.
Because I’m constantly ripping out old bathrooms as well as fitting new ones, I see first-hand where others have gone wrong. Over time, that experience has taught me the crucial steps to take — and the small but vital details that make the difference between a bathroom that lasts five years and one that lasts twenty. It’s what I do day in, day out.
In all the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve only ever been called back to a leak twice — both in quick succession about two years ago. On both occasions, it turned out to be a loose connection on existing pipework further down the line that I may have disturbed during installation. As soon as I was notified, I stopped what I was doing, went straight back to the customer, found the cause and fixed it. Thankfully, it wasn’t down to my work — just one of those things — but I made sure both were fully resolved all the same.
I only take on around one bathroom per month — not because each one takes that long, but because it gives me the time to do things properly, without being rushed. It means I can focus on every small detail and make sure each bathroom is finished to the highest possible standard.
If there ever was a problem with any of my work, I’d know exactly what’s going on — because I’m the person on the job everyday. I’m not sat in an office drawing up contracts and sending out random sub-contractors and checking in every now and again. 
That said, every bathroom project naturally involves other skilled trades such as plumbers and electricians. They’re not people I call in occasionally — they’re trusted professionals I work with on every single job. We’ve been working side by side for years. They share the same values, take the same pride in their work, and I can rely on them completely.
As I’m working, I also take photos of all the pipework and cables behind the walls and floors, so if there’s ever an issue in the future, I’ll know exactly where everything is and can sort it quickly and efficiently.
I honestly don’t know what others charge for the same kind of work — and it’s not something I’ve ever wanted to compete on. I’d much rather compete on quality, not price. 💪
I want to be known in my community as someone people can count on for honest, reliable, and high-quality work.
Thanks
Paul
