Dawn McDonald, no picture attached.

pictures need to be jpgs

What VAPORPROOFING was done before the tile started? Is the ceiling properly sloped?

So sorry guys, here’s pic. The Schluter guys did waterproofing and ceiling is sloped 2” to inside corner.

The tile is slightly uneven. He spaced it 1/16 so wouldn’t have to put a thin piece on back side because it looked too pieces together. I was also thinking the small pieces on the ends of the bench were unnecessary and could’ve used longer piece on other ends

I’m thinking to have the two walls plus pony wall tiles align in straight rows instead to make them opposite of the 12 x 24 tiles bathroom floor (can’t see). It’s a modern home.

Why is there tile on the bench at all? That should be a solid piece of stone, just like the curb and the niche bottoms, or any other horizontal piece. Why haven’t the fasteners been covered properly? Why is the floor some random wreck of pieces of plywood? Why does there appear to be a bit of a PVC liner peeking out? Where’s the drain? Why isn’t this planned as a whole wet room? Why do you think this will even work as a steamer? What fid the ceiling look like? Why did he start there?

The tile cant all line up. You have to pick the best out of several scenarios. Math. It’s the best part of the whole. 😬 Sadly.

Where did you find this guy? What certifications does he have? Is he actually licensed and insured? What is he charging you?

I appreciate your input and helping me to think about these things. He has done other work for us and it has been good and he is an honest good man, not like some other contractors. He doesn’t specialize in tiling specifically but did tile our floor in rest of house and is fantastic so we thought to use him for shower too. He actually came to me and said he didn’t like what he’s done and is starting over and not charging his hours to do so. I want to help him be better at this and he has the desire. The Schluter guys mentioned to do the ceiling, then bench, then floor (cover floor with plywood). I pay him $25 hr. With the shower bench being 60” x 16” and totally floating with no brackets under we used kerdi board with a plywood & stainless steel cross bars for support as in fear of that large of stone would be too heavy.

Fasteners-I’m looking and don’t see them? Can you point them out so I can address them to him? I think everything is waterproofed except the black box for the digital steam shower screen.

He is taking those tiles off of bench and putting them vertical instead and making them more even. Will look better too.

No kidding he isn’t a tile professional. That is Exactly it. Call your Schluter rep. They are happy to provide input. The curbless bit isn’t don’t correctly. The concept is off. The execution is off. The ability isn’t there.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

Steam showers can get ugly quickly. While I have seen some handymen do great shower installs; don't trust anyone but a certified professional for a steam shower install. Even then, I'd only look at ones that have experience in them. There is so much that can go wrong with improper installation. Think of it like having a medical assistant remove a brain tumor.

Since he is ripping it off how are you planning on finishing the edges of the tile? In the photos you can see the unglazed edges of the tile at the front edge of the bench- not a good look. You need a bullnose tile or a schluter edge.

If he has the desire to learn, why don't you have him stop completely. Then you hire a real tile professional who is trained, certified and has at least 5 years building steam showers specifically.

To find said pro, use the link live wire oak posted, and also search on this one: https://www.tile-assn.com/. If your current contractor wants to learn, let him observe the new, actual tile professional. Then he can decide if he wants to go to the trainings offered by those and other professional tile associations, and pursue a certification to do this type of work. Sounds like you have a good relationship with this person so far, so hopefully you can just explain to him that this work is far beyond his knowledge and skills, and that you are going to hire someone else, but that he can observe if he wants. If you like him otherwise, I'm sure he understands that you will probably hire him for other work in the future, just not this.

Steam showers are very special, they require a highly trained and experienced tile professional. They require vaporproofing which goes beyond the normal waterproofing for a shower. Also a real pro would not have put tile on your bench or any other horizontal surface. That should be one piece of material, such as granite, marble or whatever you are using on your countertops, so there will be no grout lines there.

You will need to accept the fact that steam showers are also expensive. I don't know, but I'm guessing a 60 x 60 steam shower would cost me anywhere from about 12 - 20K for the tile professional I know to build, because he is extermely highly skilled and has experience building these. It's hard to say because a lot of that depends on your area and cost of labor. Even though that is expensive, it's cheaper than going back to re-do the whole thing a year from now if it fails and leaks, and ruins your floors, walls, etc.

I usually don't recommend people watch tiling YouTube videos because you can quickly go down a rabbit hole of misinformation. But, the exception is Sal Diblasi. I could never build a shower myself, but watching his videos helped to familiarize myself with the the procedures and materials involved in waterproofing and tiling a shower. Learning what the steps were, and the language of the trade, helped me to interview prospective tile pros and select well. My first hire was a total failure, so I had to start over with a new person. It was between the failed hire and the good hire that I educated myself about waterproofing and such so that I could hire better the second time. It happens. The important thing right now for you is to stop the work with this person, explain to him that you need to hire someone else, then educate yourself, and hire better the next time.

I do agree and will heed your advice on both bull nose and having him watch a professional. Thank you guys!

Was Kerdi DS membrane used? That would meet current industry standards of .5 perms or less for steam shower vapor proofing. The reason Schluter came out with the DS is due to the fact that regular Kerdi membrane did not meet requirements when changes were implemented in 2014. The term "continuous use steam" was dropped and the .5 or less became the new standard for "all steam applications" was added.

Concerned how the underneath side of bench is vapor proofed with plywood included in the seat assembly.

Nice to see the sloped ceiling. Fasteners will not be visible as membrane was used over cement board not Kerdi foam board which would have required washers and patches.

As AJCN mentioned. Sal has some good videos on YouTube. I was with him a few hours ago discussing new products on the market.

Good luck with your project.

Yes kerdi was used but the tile bench I don’t like so back to drawing board. I LOVE Schluter BTW!!! Super easy. I just finished watching Sal’s waterproofing and happy about our waterproofing work even though when we cut the wood out and put a white (granite or stone-need advice-not sure which one?) I will be watching all of his videos on shower. Sure wished he lived here:). I am hiring a pro to come but want to learn more before I do so I know it’s done correct.

Dawn. Kerdi & Kerdi DS are two different products. That is the point I was raising.

You also want to be sure the ceiling light is a sealed fixture for steam shower use..

If you are a nerd like me and like to read, you could buy a $35 downloadable version of the TCNA handbook. It's over 600 pages, but you only have to read the introduction (about 50 pages) and the shower sections (about 40 pages). There are 2 steam shower sections. If you are having floor tiles installed in your bathroom, you might want to also read the flooring chapters, but you can skip all the chapters on tub/shower combos, swimming pools, water features, fountains, etc.

https://www.tcnatile.com/products-and-services/publications.html

I am seeing a nightmare in your future a steam shower is a job for a certified steam shower pro the waterproofing has to be perfect and would not do a curbless install for steam shower .I agree the whole space should be a wet room

It is a whirlwind here with our remodel so sorry for late response!

Update: First off a huge thank you for your expert raw advice! I had a specialized professional shower guy out and this is what he says: to use granite slab for shower bench imbedded into the niched out 2X4 wood frame and use the originalgranitebracket.com. for extra support although he says we probably don't need the brackets if niched into the 2X4s? We pulled out the wood bench and redoing.

This is the kit the schulter reps recommended to use and is in our shower. I called corporate and awaiting a return call to ask about DS and if we do need to replace. If it does, I will be disappointed that they have the following steam shower information on their site and says nothing about using DS. https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/showers/residential_steam_showers

We purchased/used:
KERDI-SHOWER-KIT 72" X 72" ABS FLANGE 2" Product Code: KSK1830ABS

Haven't had time to read the TCNA but hoping try to tomorrow afternoon so I'm educated and prepared.

And Patricia, omgoodness, I am already scared! I sure hope I am able to get this shower on the right track and so glad to ask you guys questions now before tiling!

I actually prefer prefab steam showers I find for my clients the cost is about the same but you get all kinds of bells and whistles in them . . A lot of my clients like them in a different space that the bathroom and often in the basement next to a workout space.

Schluter will tell you it's Ok to use Kerdi. Fact is it does not meet current TCNA standards. Go ahead and ask them why they came out with DS. Not that you will have a problem as it once met code prior to 2014. It's simple. I can show you in writing that .5 perms. or less is required. Schluter will spin otherwise. There are so many other membrane manufacturers that meet & greatly exceed the requirement to chose from. You have to hand it to the Orange for marketing but do consider other options to get the better bang for your buck.