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denise_mccormack78

New pebble shower floor grout is cracking!

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

The shower was put in a couple of months a go but we have just been using for a month. These cracks started today! Hoping to have some info before contractor looks at it. With The stay at home oder might be a month that they can look at it. Should we stop using the shower? Does the floor need to be replaced? Any help appreciated.

Comments (14)

  • 6 years ago

    Where are the pictures????!!!!

    Denise McCormack thanked catbuilder
  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago




  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Not a professional. But cracks in grout means there is movement underneath. We just had Wedi wallboard installed and I watch Wedi installation videos. They showed people installing Wedi shower pans. In one the installer was asking the Wedi rep if it was OK if the board was being crushed under his feet after he put it in and was installing the wall board. The wedi rep said that was normal. But to me it would lead to exactly your situation as the foam compresses as you walk on it. Do you have pics of how your base was installed and do you know the material?

    To answer your questions. Yes I would stop using it and yes it needs replaced. I wouldn't let them do another wedi system if that is what they used.

    Our installer offered a wedi pan and I said no, I want solid surface.

    This isn't the video I saw of the installer asking about it crushing under his feet but another one.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsG4lfsdVeQ


    Edit: this is the video where they note the product crushes under foot.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ViFmacb0M

    from the comments:

    paul

    2 years ago

    Great video as always Sal. I installed a Wedi pan on a recent job and noticed when I kneel on it the pan dents. How durable are these pans after the tile is installed on them? Thanks

    Answer: I have noticed that as well with most kinds of foam pads, that is one of
    the reasons I prefer to do mud. Wedi suggests that epoxy grout should
    be used when installing very small tiles on the pans to avoid problems,
    not needed with larger tiles.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I’m betting an old fashioned mud bed with PVC liner. And the mud was too wet. Theres not a thing in the world wrong with foam pans. They usually produce superior results if the person using the system has been trained by the manufacturer.

  • 6 years ago

    Depending on your local/state, a stay at home order, contractors might be considered an essential service. They are where I live.

  • 6 years ago

    Why is the grout along the outer edges really dark?

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I'd Dremel the grout out of the cracks and re-grout. Using the shower isn't going to hurt anything.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Nobody can answer the question as we don't know what the prep method was. This is the cart before the horse kind of approach I'm afraid. You must get your contractor response, and then IF you question it, come back for opinions, and hopefully from the real professionals. You can even share these photos with the contractor, but do ask what his/her prep methods were and products used. I can think of multiple reasons why this could happen but that's not helpful without having all the information.

    Denise McCormack thanked Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
  • 4 years ago

    Denise, I'm just wondering if you ever found a solution to this. I am right now experiencing the almost identical problem; a recently installed pebble shower floor which looks just like yours with same deep cracks developing around the drain within months...also the dark grout along the walls suggest the floor is holding water. I only know that our contractor removed a complete surround bath/shower unit and put a liner on the existing sub-floor followed by sloped cement and a slot drain and pebble tiles. I don't know if I should hope that this floor is just settled and won't get any worse or to take the chance of having it broken up and replaced which in itself sounds like a major undertaking without compromising the waterproof liner and without damaging the subfloor. What did you do? Any feedback appreciated, thanks.

  • 2 months ago

    Hello: I have a problem with a new install. Can you please tell me how you resolved uour problem?

  • last month

    " Can you please tell me how you resolved your problem? "


    HU-892889435 Only way to fix that is a tear out and complete do over. Post pics in your own thread and you will get advice that may help you.

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