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A stunning bathroom renovation shouldn’t become a source of leaks and frustration a few months later. Yet, in many Cape Town homes, from the characterful streets of Rondebosch to the modern apartments of the City Bowl, we see the same avoidable shower installation mistakes cropping up.
The good news? With the right planning and local expertise, they’re completely preventable. At Ronal Bathrooms, having worked with homeowners across the Cape Peninsula for over a decade, we’ve identified the key pitfalls that turn dream bathrooms into daily headaches.
The 5 Most Common Shower Installation Mistakes
The foundation of any successful shower installation starts with precise planning. Skipping exact measurements or relying on guesswork leads to shower doors that don’t close properly, uneven gaps, and water escaping onto your bathroom floor.
How to Avoid It:
Skipping precise measurements is a common pitfall, especially in many of Cape Town’s older homes where walls aren’t perfectly straight. We’ve helped homeowners in Constantia solve this by providing custom-sized shower enclosures that fit their unique spaces perfectly, eliminating gaps and leaks from the start. A professional will use laser levels and account for your bathroom’s specific layout.
This is the silent killer of bathroom renovations. Even the most beautiful shower will fail if water finds its way behind tiles or under the floor. Poor waterproofing causes mould, damp smells, and can lead to structural damage that costs thousands to repair.
How to Avoid It:
Proper installation demands adherence to the National Building Regulations and relevant SANS codes for wet services, ensuring a professional seal that prevents damp and structural rot.. This isn’t an area for shortcuts—proper sealing around drains, corners, and joints is crucial. We recommend using quality waterproofing products that can handle Cape Town’s winter moisture levels.
Not all glass and hardware are created equal. Low-quality materials that can’t withstand Cape Town’s coastal environment will lead to corrosion, safety risks, and premature failure.
How to Avoid It:
Choosing the right materials is key. For homes in coastal suburbs like Blouberg, we insist on high-quality, safety-approved toughened glass that is compliant with SANS 1263-1 standards—the non-negotiable requirement for safety glazing in South Africa. This ensures your glass is safe, durable, and meets all legal requirements.. Investing in quality materials from the start ensures your shower remains safe and beautiful for years.
The temptation to save money with a DIY approach often backfires dramatically. Misaligned panels, incorrect drilling, or improper sealing can create problems that cost more to fix than professional installation would have cost initially.
How to Avoid It:
Know your limits. Shower installation requires specific skills and tools. Hiring a professional ensures the job is done right the first time, saving you money, stress, and potential damage to your home.
Sometimes it’s the smallest elements that cause the biggest problems. An incorrect shower floor slope, poorly aligned hinges, or inadequate sealing can lead to water pooling, doors that don’t close properly, and ongoing maintenance issues.
How to Avoid It:
Pay attention to the finishing touches. Ensure proper slope toward the drain, check all seals are continuous and well-fitted, and verify that all hardware is correctly aligned. These details make the difference between a good installation and a great one.
“Living in an older Rondebosch home, we were worried about finding a shower that fit. Ronal Bathrooms provided a custom solution that looks fantastic and, most importantly, doesn’t leak a drop!”
– The Peters Family, Rondebosch
A: Inadequate waterproofing. Once water damage occurs behind tiles, it requires complete demolition and rebuilding of the affected areas, often costing thousands of Rands.
A: Yes! We work with homeowners across the Cape Peninsula. From the Southern Suburbs to the Atlantic Seaboard, we have the experience to handle your project.
A: Most standard installations take 1-2 days, but complex projects or custom designs may require additional time.
A well-installed shower combines beauty with functionality and durability. By addressing these common mistakes during your planning phase, you can ensure your Cape Town bathroom remains a source of pleasure rather than problems.
Ready to guarantee a perfect, leak-free installation?
Contact Dez Randall (Sales Director) and his expert team at Ronal Bathrooms SA for a free, no-obligation design consultation. Whether you are in Clifton, Constantia, or anywhere across the Western Cape, we ensure your shower is installed right the first time.
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Our focus is on Quality, Quality, & Quality. We aim to perform work that carries not only OUR Signature of Innovation & Style, but more importantly, our client’s as well.
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