Dealing with a van shower leak can be frustrating when you’re out on the road, especially if you’re enjoying nature far away from any hardware stores.
Luckily, there are a few common problems with DIY van shower systems, making these the go to with diagnosing the issue and fixing that leak. From van plumbing tips to quick leak repair methods, we’ll guide you through some simple solutions to patch up leaks and replace critical components that might be causing trouble!
Keeping these essentials in your DIY van repair kit will prepare you for any shower leaks that come your way!
Just quickly – the Van Bandits Leaky Shower tool kit would include,
1) waterproof tape
2) spanner/pliers + seal tape PTFE tape
3) temporary pipe repair patch kit
First identify where the leak is. Most likely, if you’re living in the van, you will see where the water is coming from. Honing in on the exact source of the leak is helpful to make sure you’re targeting the right spot in your repair job.
Most common types of van shower leaks – so where to look first,
- A leak from a pipe connection (including to the drain and storage tank)
- Leak from the shower head connection
- Leak from a crack in a pipe
- Leak from a wall seal
We now explore some of the best fixes for these most common van shower leaks.
How to fix a leaky pipe while on the road
Most van builds use flexible PVC piping for ease, so these 3 solutions will help you patch up a leak in case a crack develops on the road.
“Although PVC is very strong, vans are often put through extreme use while travelling, and we have seen pipes tear by being squished or trapped between equipment that has shifted during travel”
- Waterproof Tape: This is ideal for van builds because it’s so easy to use and readily available from any hardware shop. It’s a great go-to for quick repairs on pipes, joints, or any surface with minor cracks. This tape is usually self-fusing and creates a strong, watertight seal in minutes, making the water systems usable until you can work on a proper DIY van repair. The most common, reputable brands for this are Gorilla Tape, T-Rex Tape and Flex Tape.
- Quick-Dry Epoxy: Having quick-dry epoxy on hand is a lifesaver in van builds. It can repair cracked plastic fittings or secure a makeshift seal temporarily. After drying and cleaning the area, apply the mixed epoxy directly over the leak, ensuring it fills any gaps and covers a bit of the surrounding area for a strong bond. Once cured, it provides a durable solution to minor leaks without needing to replace the entire section of pipe.
Temporary Pipe Repair Patch: For a leak in a pipe that isn’t easily accessible, use a temporary pipe repair patch or clamp kit. Once you’ve placed this section of repair pipe over the leak, tighten the screws or bolts on the clamp until it securely compresses the patch against the pipe, creating a watertight seal. Once secured, this will last really well, making it one of our favourite recommendations.
How to fix leaky shower floor or wall joints in your van
We have had a lot of frustration during our time with leaks between the shower walls and the shower floor. Often, these leaks are slow, and it can be harder to diagnose the exact spot. The best thing to do if this happens is to create a full seal over the leaking area.
- Silicone Caulk: Your shower is likely already sealed with silicone caulk, but taking time to repair it on the road is a great shout. If you can, peel off the existing silicone and replace it. If this is difficult, add silicone over the area where the leak is, trying to be as methodical as possible with your application. Again, this is inexpensive and available from any hardware shop on the road.
- Seal with Waterproof Tape: Another way to deal with leaks in shower walls or floor joins is to use waterproof tape, which we’ve already recommended for leaky pipes. This tape is usually self-fusing, creating a strong, watertight seal in minutes. Sometimes, this tape is known by the common brand names “Gorilla Tape” or “T-Rex”.
How to fix leaky shower fixtures on the road
It’s quite common for leaks to occur at shower fixtures. This will be easy to identify, and luckily, these van shower leaks are easy to repair.
- Tighten connections: A common reason for leaks is that hand-tightened connections become looser from vibrations while driving on the road. If you’re experiencing a leak, the best thing to do first is to tighten connections. You can use a spanner or pliers for this.
- Replace O-Rings or Washers: If the leak is coming from the showerhead or faucet, try unscrewing it and replacing worn O-rings or washers. The O-rings and washers are often made cheaply and wear out faster than the other components in a system. These are widely available from hardware shops and are inexpensive.
- Pipe Thread Seal Tape (PTFE Tape): If you’ve tightened connections and replaced rings and washers, there could be leaks from threaded connections. PTFE Tape is a perfect solution to this, it is wrapped around the male connection in the direction of the thread. Once the fittings are securely connected, the tape will create a watertight seal, preventing leaks at the joint.
Must-have tools for DIY van repair on the road!
We know that space in your van is at a premium while out on the road. That is why we have picked our top 3 tools and equipment to take with you to help fix any of these issues on the move.
BEST 3 tools for leaky shower fixes on the road:
- Waterproof Tape: We’ve chosen this for its versatility in temporarily patching up almost any type of leak. Wrap waterproof or silicone repair tape tightly around the leaky pipe or joint. This tape is usually self-fusing and creates a strong, watertight seal in minutes, making the water systems usable until you can work on a proper DIY van repair. The most common, reputable brands for this (available almost anywhere) are Gorilla Tape, T-Rex Tape and Flex Tape.
- Tighten or Reseal Connections: Often, if there is an issue with connections, it might be that the fitting has loosened due to vibrations from the vehicle movement over time. We suggest taking spanners/pliers for this purpose. If there is still a leak after tightening with pliers, adding pipe thread seal tape (also called PTFE tape) can be super helpful in creating a better seal on threaded connections.
- Temporary Pipe Repair Patch: The final essential tool we suggest for pipe leaks is a temporary pipe repair patch or clamp kit. These kits are designed to provide an emergency seal on damaged pipes, and effectively, they do what it says on the tin! Since they are so small and lightweight, it’s easy to pack a few for taking along, and it’s cleaner and more straightforward than using tape…the repair is also likely to last much longer, which could be a real benefit if you’re on a long trip, or if you use the van frequently.
Leak No More: Quick Van Shower Repairs
Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help with quick leak repairs on the road. Leaks are so common, but in such a small space, the last thing you want is extra damp and unusable equipment.
Luckily, since shower van plumbing is all relatively low pressure, there are really easy first leaky shower fix options. Our suggestions also use widely available equipment you can source from any hardware shop on the road.
Van shower leaks are frustrating – but we hope our quick leak repair options help out.
Dani does vanlife in her bright yellow Peugeot boxer called “Sunny”. Based in Bristol, UK, with her partner she DIY the complete van conversion of Sunny and then tripped around Europe. She now does vanlife around the UK. Outside van life adventures and trip planning, she works as a project developer in renewable energy. See Dani’s full vanbandits profile.
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