Curbless Shower Leaking into Bathroom. Help!

7 years ago

Friends,

I have a curbless shower that is leaking. Upon investigation, it appears the water is rising up over the lip created by the shower pan (under the tile) and seeping out under the baseboards. The shower's drain seems to be functioning correctly (IE, it is not backing up). I believe this was an installation issue, but it is too late to go back to the contractor. I am wondering what my options are? Specifically, is there any easier option other than pulling out the tile and redoing the pan? I was wondering if I could remove the tile right outside the glass door, and make a curb to contain the water? Any help would be very appreciated.

Featured Answer

PRO

Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Unfortunately you can't be sure where the actual leak originates without removing the tile and inspecting. Water follows the path of least resistance and often appears in a place quite different from where the leak occurred. Hopefully you have another shower and are not using this one right now. Get a qualified professional tile contractor in to do the inspection and determine the best approach. A "patch" like you have described is not a likely fix and one that a professional will not perform as the entire shower build is a "system" with approved methods and materials (something your former contractor obviously did not follow). https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/find-certified-tile-installers

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Comments (8)

User
7 years ago
Redo it all.
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AJCN
7 years ago
How long ago was it built, and are you sure it's too late to contact the original tile pro? He should at least be told that it failed. Lots of pros say "I've never had a call-back." But that might be because people don't tell them about the fails.
JanB 23
6 years ago
Would love to know what you ended up doing because our bathroom is not quite finished but we tested the shower and it is leaking. I know it wasn't installed right but I don't feel like having all the tile pulled out and was wondering if we could just have a cub built. We haven't done the shower doors yet so money has been wasted there.
PRO
Mint tile Minneapolis
6 years ago
good news youve not spent $ on glass best bet is to call the inspector that approved your shower pan flood test inspection
User
6 years ago
You can’t “just add a curb” after the waterproofing is done. The waterproofing has to be integrated properly with the curb. The whole thing has to be redone regardless of the route you choose to take.
Paul Malchow
6 years ago
You can add a piece of quarter round that sticks to the floor. It is only about 1/4" tall. This will contain the water and allow it to make its way to the drain...
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
No, you can’t. That’s a trip hazard hack move for one. Second, it will allow capillary action to continue to wick water through the whole floor. And since it won’t be part of the waterproofing, it’s still going to be a giant rotten mess.