When Does A Wet Shower Floor Become A Problem?

When you use your shower, you expect the floor and walls to get wet — that's just the nature of the task. The remaining water on the floor while you're getting toweled off isn't a concern, but if that water is still there later, it might be cause to take a deeper look. A wet shower floor becomes a problem when the water lingers, staying as drops on the floor or being absorbed into the grout. You can tell that a wet shower floor is becoming an issue when the floor in and around the shower feels spongy, you have a musty smell coming from the floor area, or the ceiling below the shower is becoming stained.

This added moisture can create mold issues (both on the surface of the floor and underneath) and can even cause structural problems for the shower, leading to expensive future repairs. You could have a drainage issue, or the ventilation in your bathroom might be subpar. No matter the reason, it's important to take note if you see wetness on your shower floor so you can investigate as soon as possible — before it turns into a significant problem.

If your shower floor isn't getting completely dry after use, there could be a few factors at play. Leaks from the faucet or showerhead are a simple reason you may have excess moisture. Even if this leak isn't more than a few drops at a time, it won't allow the proper drying that is needed to prevent damage to your shower floor.

Another reason your shower floor might be staying wet is poor ventilation. Poor bathroom ventilation can be caused by clogged fans and blocked vent pipes, leading to musty odors, peeling paint, and — you guessed it — a wet shower floor. Similarly, you could have an issue with poor drainage, either due to clogged drains or inadequate slope to the drain that's causing water to leave the shower floor much slower than it should.

Finally, a problem with the tub's waterproofing could be causing your residual moisture. If the shower area wasn't adequately waterproofed during installation, you could have water sitting on the shower floor, seeping into the subfloor, and creating a lasting wet feeling. Additionally, low-quality tiles tend to absorb water more than higher-quality ones, leading to a perpetually wet shower floor.

A constantly wet (or even just moist) floor will undoubtedly lead to mold and mildew problems. While mold and mildew are different, they both love to grow in damp, warm places, and the soap scum and skin particles that live on your shower floor make a perfect food source for them. Mold and mildew can lead to a slew of problems, including health concerns. Over time, you can experience allergies, respiratory issues, itchy eyes, and skin irritation.

Depending on your type of shower, you might be able to deep clean minor mold and mildew with some heavy-duty shower cleaners. However, certain materials, like tile, will need to be replaced if there are significant signs of this fungus. Since mold can grow under the tiles, you won't know if you've truly eliminated the problem if you only treat it at the surface level.

Outside of the potential health problems, mold and mildew caused by a wet shower floor can damage your shower. These fungi can cause discoloration of the tiles and grout, but can also cause grout deterioration. This, in turn, can mean loose shower tiles, allowing water to seep in and cause damage to both the tiles themselves and the surrounding subfloor.

The subfloor of your shower is the structural layer of flooring that sits beneath the finished flooring (like tile). This is usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), providing a stable base for your shower's finished floor. If your shower floor is not properly waterproofed, or if water has already penetrated the grout and has caused cracking, water can seep through and reach the comparatively delicate subfloor.

Even the tiniest bit of water reaching the subfloor can cause issues. This moisture will ultimately weaken the subfloor, and instead of a sturdy base, you'll be left with a spongy, soft mess. Over time, this weakened subfloor won't be able to withstand all of the weight of your shower and could cause sagging, cracked tiles, and even structural failure. Beyond this, you could face mold and mildew damage behind the tiles or shower floor, leading to constant musty odors.

Keeping your shower floor dry is key to preventing potentially extensive (and expensive) repairs. Inspect your shower regularly for leaks since this is one of the easiest ways to avoid extra moisture. Be sure to check around the showerhead, faucet, and drain for even the smallest of leaks, as this could indicate that you have the start of a problem. While doing this inspection, check your grout to make sure that there are no cracks or breaks — if there are, you'll need to reseal.

After every shower, you should use a squeegee or an absorbent cloth to wipe up any leftover water from the floor and walls. This is a quick and easy way to make sure that there's no standing water left to cause potential damage. If you have long hair, clean your shower drain with hydrogen peroxide or baking soda and vinegar to keep it free from clogs — or better yet, use a shower drain hair catcher.

Utilize your bathroom's exhaust fan to help eliminate any additional standing water in your shower, and clean the vent using the canned air trick at least once a year for optimal performance. If you live in a particularly humid environment, consider using a dehumidifier to help pull the moisture out of the air, allowing the moisture from the shower floor to evaporate better.