Need help with shower tile ideas for repairs

11 years ago

I have to have the floor and about 30" of 6x6 ceramic tile removed to repair the leaky shower that was clearly not built properly. I don't think I can match the original tile exactly, but don't want to have to re-tile the whole shower. Any creative ideas for the bottom 30" of the shower?

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

An improperly built shower is only cured by ripping it ALL out and starting over. The cost difference is usually insignificant as the labor to bandaid something to an existing installation is higher than doing it all right from the beginning. Yes, it's a bit more in material costs, but material costs pale in comparison to the labor costs. Especially if you hire a knowledgeable tile technician in the first place. Only a hack would do the halfassedjob that you're wanting to do. Anyone worth their salt will flat out tell you what Cabot&Rowe did above.

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Comments (10)

jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
11 years ago
This is what we did in the master bathroom....you could probably do something similar with a slate color or earth color tile.
megleyb
Original Author
11 years ago
That looks great, thanks for the idea! One concern I have is that the rest of the bathroom is also with the same tile, so I wouldn't be able to tie in the flooring like you did with the black moving out to the rest of the bathroom. Do you think that would matter?
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jerzeegirl (FL zone 9B)
11 years ago
Well, just so you know, it was a coin toss between using the black tile on the floor or using the gray wall tile on the floor.

I would look for a tile that is darker for contrast but has some of the same brown undertones that your wall has.

Do you have any extra tiles from the ones that are currently on your wall?
PRO
Cabot & Rowe
11 years ago
Hate to burst your bubble, but tiling just the bottom 30 inches will mean only the bottom 30 inches is properly waterproofed. If this were my job, I would only be able to stand behind my work by re-doing the whole job.
megleyb
Original Author
11 years ago
The new contractor cut through the back wall in the hallway, and said the problem is that the original builders didn't properly place a membrane at the bottom. The water is seeping through at the bottom only. They didn't see anything wrong with the rest of the job. That's why they said they could repair the lower half. Should I get a second opinion? I saw the seepage, and didnt see any reason to question their assessment.
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
A waterproof membrane has to be behind 100% of the tile. Doing just the bottom transfers the symptoms. You need a different contractor. One that will do the job correctly.
PRO
Mint tile Minneapolis
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
the last thing you need is to hire another novice. Take your time get multiple quotes and verify their track record of shower pan building and do your due dilligence.....

the number 1 surefire thing for you to use as A tool in hiring?

Insist on a flood tested shower pan

dont gamble twice......
PRO
Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
11 years ago
Full agreement with Cabot & Rowe. Virtually impossible to tie in the waterproofing on just the lower half effectively. The cost for a complete re-do is not substantially more than trying a band-aid fix. Not saying it can't be done...but the installer has to be able to guarantee the whole job, and I wouldn't. The last person to touch it, owns it.....
User
11 years ago
100% redo time.