Shower trays take significant daily use and are vulnerable to chips, cracks and surface deterioration over time. Professional repair restores them in place, in a single visit, at a fraction of replacement cost.

Types of Shower Tray Damage

Chips — the most common damage, typically caused by a dropped object (a razor, a shampoo bottle, a tile that slipped during fitting). Chips expose the raw material beneath the finished surface.
Cracks — more serious than chips, cracks can allow water to escape beneath the tray if left untreated. Small cracks in the surface are repairable. Structural cracks that have caused the tray to flex require assessment.
Surface wear — in high-use showers, the surface finish can dull and the non-slip texture can deteriorate. This is addressable by resurfacing.
Staining — limescale, mould and other staining that has not responded to cleaning can be addressed as part of a resurfacing process.

Shower Tray Materials and Repairability

Acrylic shower trays — the most common material in modern bathrooms. Chips and cracks are fully repairable. The material is similar to acrylic baths.
Stone resin shower trays — a premium material that repairs very well. The solid composition means chips can be filled and finished to an invisible standard.
Ceramic shower trays — less common but repairable using the same techniques as ceramic tile repair.
Fibreglass shower trays — older fibreglass trays can develop cracks and surface deterioration. Repair is possible, though the results depend on the extent of the damage.

Repair vs Replacement

Shower tray replacement involves: removing the existing tray, which may disturb tiles around the base; sourcing a replacement tray that fits the existing enclosure (not always straightforward in older bathrooms); fitting and sealing the new tray; and making good any disturbed tiles or surrounding surfaces.

This is a half-day to full-day job costing £300–£800 in total.

A professional shower tray chip or crack repair costs £85–£175 and is completed in 1–2 hours.

Can a Cracked Shower Tray Be Repaired?

In most cases, yes. A crack in an acrylic or stone resin shower tray is stabilised with a reinforcing compound applied from below, then filled and finished on the visible surface.

The exception is a crack caused by ongoing structural movement — for example, a tray that has been installed on an uneven floor and flexes under load. In this case, repair without addressing the underlying movement will not be durable. A good technician will identify this and advise accordingly.