A couple more photos...

It's little hard to see, but that looks like spot setting. My TCNA handbook says spot-setting is no-no. I think it says in wet area 95% coverage is required. Tell your tile person that you know that, and they did it wrong and to re-do it. I'm not a pro. Probably one will also answer you. Ask your contractor what waterproofing method and materials were used.

Thanks AJCN. In the shower, they have plastic membrane and then cement board (wonderboard), seams are taped with something that looks like plastic mesh. The tile is going directly on that. Outside the shower, it’s being installed directly on new drywall.

JuneKnow, thank you for replying! Do you think the construction of the shower is wrong, is that why you’re saying they need to take it out down to the studs? The plastic membrane behind the wonderboard It’s folded up in this picture, but it goes behind the rubber membrane which comes up the wall at least a couple of feet. As far as the tile goes, it just seems so wrong that there should be voids like that. I’m going to talk to my contractor shortly, I was hoping to get advice from pros before I do so. He thinks advice on the web is very dangerous in the wrong hands, but I believe in researching the project as a homeowner so I understand the process.

So the tile installer said today that after tile is leveled on the wall, they backfill mortar into the edges and corners. Also that the mortar will prevent water from getting behind the tile. He did not know TCNA, and that he’s not sure what the “piece of paper says” but that he’s been doing this for many years and has never had a problem.

We are wringing our hands about this, our confidence is sapped. We’re waiting for our contractor to call us back.

Joints need to be taped with non-alkaline tape and basically spackled with thin set. 100% cover is requited at application, not after the fact as then it is not acting as an adhesive. Mortar is not waterproof, period. The curb does not appear correct as well. You need to stop these guys.

Thanks millworkman. The seams are taped and spackled. He showed us how he applied a tile, there seemed to be a lot of mud on the demonstration. The channel in the photos is so the glass install later is recessed. Seeing the amount of mud he used gave me more confidence, but I’m not sure why I could see so much void in the mud behind the tiles that were installed yesterday.

Can you tell me why you think the curb looks wrong? They poured some kind of concrete into a form to create the curb. The sides will be tiled and a soapstone slab cap on top so there will be no seams. Is this wrong?

Thank you everyone for your advice!

Maybe I am not looking at this correct and or missing something but this is showing a 2x6 standiing up with the liner over it? Was this used as a form for pouring concrete? Wood has no business being there at all permanently.

Oh no, not good news. Thank you so much for your feedback, it’s so helpful. What a stressful situation here. We found a local tile pro (he does adhere to TCNA standards) who is willing to come look and consult tomorrow

Following to see how this turns out. Good luck! I'm wondering, are they only applying thinset to the back of the tile and not the wall?

Thisisnotadrill- I’ll be sure to post follow ups! I thought that might be the case when I saw the installed tile last night, but he did show me today that he applies it to the wall and also to the backside of the tile. I can’t help but suspect that the application method was adjusted for the better after we raised our concerns, but maybe I’m just plain suspicious.

Here you can see the thunder on the wall, and plenty of mud on the tile itself

Oops, lol. Thinset not thunder (thanks auto correct)

Michele-

It doesn’t matter how much thinset is on the wall, there’s no waterproofing membrane. It’s only a matter of time until you have problems.

kudzu, she said there is poly sheeting behind the cement board. But the curb does not appear correct at all to me.

Millworkman- Sorry I am just seeing your question. The wood was temporary, concrete was poured into the wood mold to make the curb base. Is this wrong?

Not necessarily, that was why I was asking.

Kudzu9- there is plastic sheeting behind the cement board

I know, but that is not adequate or the best practice in my opinion and others. The primary waterproofing should be between the tile and the backerboard so you don’t get moisture migrating behind the backer board and getting trapped and running down inside to the bottom of the wall. You might want to read this:

https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/39612/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-adding-a-vapor-barrier-behind-shower-backer-board

Thank you so much, I’ll check that out and talk to our contractor about it

Did he not used a notched trowel?

Sammy- I’m not sure about that, I’ll heading upstairs to look at his tools. He’s left for the day. Why does a notched trowel make a difference?

Here are the trowels. Took two so you can see my thumb for reference. It’s a normal female human thumb size ;)

He may have a notched trowel, which would ensure spreading thinset evenly, but from the blobs I’m seeing I’m not sure he’s using it.

didnt read it all. from photos? very well could be an approved full mortar bed install, cant be fully sure w out more pics and prrof of preslope weepholes and flood test w drainage, curb detail etc. . 95% mortar coverage is required.

Have to say, feel bad for the guy your showing pics of, and certainly A lot of incorrect tile advice in this thread.