Robert Stephen Morton
vall, by your terminoligy I take it that you eminate from Oz, is that correct?. Your “weird pipe leak is not weird it is quite common, it seems that you have interferred with the problem.
You should have called in a Licensed plumber who would have explored to find the cause, he would have replaced the complete shower combination including the “breaching peice” & you would have claimed against your insurance for the exploration & reinstatement, but you may have spoilt your chances, call in a licensed plumber immediatly to fix the problem & put in a claim form.
Good luck – Bob 
