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Defect library

Bathroom defects in new builds

Most bathroom snags involve water getting where it shouldn’t, through a poor seal, a leaking waste or a shower screen that lets water out. Fill the bath and basin and run the shower for a few minutes before you check underneath and around them.

Updated 19 October 2026

SiteSnag’s library has 29 entries under bathroom, and 1 of them are marked as safety or critical items. They’re listed below with the most serious first. Each one gives the wording an inspector would put in a report and the trade that would fix it, and 18 carry a reference to the standard or guidance they relate to. The references help you look up the relevant section and aren’t a statement that a particular home does or doesn’t comply.

All 29 entries

  1. Light fitting unsuitable for zone

    Safety

    Bathroom light fitting not rated for its zone (IP rating). Replace.

    Trade
    Electrician
    Reference
    BS 7671

  2. Leaking shower enclosure

    Major

    Water escapes from shower enclosure during use. Adjust/seal enclosure.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  3. Wet room floor not draining

    Major

    Water does not drain to the wet room gully or ponds. Correct falls.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  4. WC pan seal leaking

    Major

    Leak at the pan connector or base of the WC. Re-make connection and reseal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  5. Tanking not provided to wet area

    Major

    No waterproofing behind tiles in shower or wet area. Investigate and rectify.

    Trade
    Tiler
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  6. Chipped sanitaryware

    Moderate

    Sanitaryware chipped/damaged. Replace.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  7. Bath not supported / moves

    Moderate

    Bath moves when loaded. Fix feet/cradle and reseal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  8. Shower tray not level (ponding)

    Moderate

    Water ponds on shower tray. Re-level tray.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  9. WC not secured to floor

    Moderate

    WC pan moves. Fix securely and reseal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  10. Extractor fan not running on

    Moderate

    Extractor fan does not run on after use. Adjust overrun timer.

    Trade
    Electrician
    Reference
    Approved Document F

  11. Shower screen leaking / not sealed

    Moderate

    Water escapes past the shower screen or its seals. Adjust screen and reseal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  12. Shower not working / poor flow

    Moderate

    Shower does not run, flow is poor or temperature unstable. Investigate and repair.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  13. Electric shower not working

    Moderate

    Electric shower does not operate or trips. Electrician to investigate.

    Trade
    Electrician
    Reference
    BS 7671

  14. Bath / basin waste leaking

    Moderate

    Waste or overflow connection leaking. Re-make joint.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  15. Concealed cistern access missing

    Moderate

    No access panel to concealed cistern or valves. Provide access.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  16. Grout cracked / missing in shower

    Moderate

    Grout cracked, missing or washed out in shower area. Rake out and re-grout.

    Trade
    Tiler
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 9.2

  17. Poor / missing silicone seal

    Minor

    Silicone seal is untidy, incomplete or missing. Remove and re-seal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  18. Bath panel loose / damaged

    Minor

    Bath panel loose or damaged. Re-fix or replace.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  19. Accessories / rails loose

    Minor

    Towel rail, holders or grab rail loose. Re-fix.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  20. Silicone seal mouldy / discoloured

    Minor

    Sealant to bath, shower or basin is mouldy or discoloured. Cut out and reseal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  21. Shower door not closing / misaligned

    Minor

    Shower door catches, drops or does not close and seal. Adjust.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  22. Shower riser / head loose

    Minor

    Shower riser rail, head or hose loose or damaged. Re-fix or replace.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  23. Bath / basin plug or pop-up faulty

    Minor

    Plug or pop-up waste does not seal or operate. Adjust or replace.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  24. WC cistern running continuously

    Minor

    Cistern refills continuously or water runs into the pan. Adjust or replace fill / flush valve.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  25. WC seat loose / damaged

    Minor

    Toilet seat loose, damaged or soft-close not working. Re-fix or replace.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  26. Basin loose / not level

    Minor

    Basin or pedestal moves or is not level. Re-fix and reseal.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  27. Bath / shower tray scratched or chipped

    Minor

    Bath or shower tray surface scratched, chipped or damaged. Repair or replace.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    None listed

  28. Heated towel rail not working

    Minor

    Towel rail stays cold or electric element not working. Bleed or repair.

    Trade
    Plumber
    Reference
    NHBC Standards 8.1

  29. Shaver socket not working

    Minor

    Shaver socket does not work. Repair.

    Trade
    Electrician
    Reference
    BS 7671

Using these in a report

In the SiteSnag app, starting to type a defect title in the camera brings up these entries. Picking one fills in the description, severity, trade and reference, and you can edit the wording or add your own defects to the library. Every snag then goes into the branded PDF report with its photos and a numbered pin on the floor plan.

For a room-by-room walk-round, use the new build snagging checklist, or go back to all defect categories.

Other categories

Previous: Kitchen (42). Next: Plumbing (17).