Sewer smell won't stop until P trap is installed. That gas is poison.

I am confused by the Mogul in the corner as well as there appears to be a linear drain and a center drain? How was this constructed? Do you have progress pics? Do you know what material was used and how it was installed? Was the inspected and flood tested? What did the building inspector say about the plumbing during inspection?

Good job for taking progress photos (hope you have more). That contributes immeasurably to the ability to diagnose the problem and suggest solutions.

P-traps must be within 24" of the drain. Ask the plumber where exactly "down the line" the p-trap is, then determine if that's within 24".

I also don't understand why there are 2 drains.

Was the plumber under the direction of the General Contractor, or had you hired him directly? I understand about the requirement for dual drains in a large shower, but he could have also just upgraded the line to a larger single drain instead, if plumbing work was being done. There are a lot of unanswered questions here about the contract and the work.

The center drain was what they put first and told me it was the only way that could do it. I insisted they fix it so they tore up the floor and redid it. Now it is just the linear drain, there was never 2 drains at once. We now have a rag in the drain hole to stop the smell. I am not aware of any flood test, I don’t think they did that. There was no inspector, the main guy only came by when I had a problem. We don’t want them back but we don’t know how to proceed.

edited to fix typo and to add: We didn’t hire the plumber, the contractor got him.

Also, the 2x4s at the curb, is that right to just paint with blue waterproofing? When it’s redone should that also be ripped out?

No, that should not be there at all as wood. Should be cement blocks or bricks with the pan membrane wrapping up and over it.

That is a complete do over

I agree its a do over. It doesnt even look good. I wouldnt pay them. Take lots of pictures, just in case you need them later, if they balk, when they dont get paid. Make sure this time, you get someone to fix, that actually knows what they are doing. Yes, you need to pay for the demo, etc, so you do owe them something. I would not want these guys to redo. This is as good as they know how to do. If they could do better, they would have done better already. Any waterproofing is most likely damaged anyway, when they had to remove the floor the first time. Using it may just get you a mouldy rotted mess which is not only a health problem, it could also cost you a lot more money to repair and do it right.

Plumber came out, doesnt know what is going on. Said there is a lead p trap somewhere in that line that may need to be cleaned and said an option is to put in a “duck bill?” to stop the smell.

I’m still confused as to how if there is a p trap ”somewhere” that this problem is new and didn’t happen for the 10 years weve been here. Finally got the owner and contractor coming Tuesday…

Also, do you/ should you caulk around the sink? Like the actual sink rim.

Thank y’all for the input!

All new crew:

 GC, plumber, tile contractor

tear out 100% to the studs, restart job

building inspector needed at

1. rough in plumbing, 

2. pan inspection

@Charles Ross Homes agreed as that each trade is licensed in CA but this also looks like an unpermitted project. ALL building inspectors are going to look for a pressure tested P-trap, a tested shower pan or approved system. Shower floor tile surface, size etc meets non-slip standards. Lots of doubts via photos. Is that a clamp on the pipe under the shower? Without a p trap your shower IS the main toilet vent.

@Jeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor In my area, there's no shower pan inspection, only a rough plumbing and final. I've hinted to the plumbing inspectors a number of times that maybe they should start requiring flood tests; they look at me like I'm crazy haha :(

Here’s a better photo set of shower floor.

First had the small drain, and I got them to redo it because it was off center and they put in the linear drain.

I now see in the fourth picture tear out there is no liner, only what appears to be thin layer of liquid membrane.

I think I’m going to chip off tiles on the curb to see if what i suspect is under there, which is just mortar and thin liquid membrane on 2x4s…

Also, we’re in Texas.

@Tina B

The "pan" includes the 4 sides of the shower up to the top of the curb. The pan should have been filled with water up near the top of the curb and tested for 24 hours BEFORE mudding the base for tile.

Even if you find some kind of barrier on the curb installed late, it is not integral with the base or sides.

Unless there is some system I've not seen like maybe magic.

Suggest bringing in an independent inspector.

Camera the plumbing.

Actually you can test the pan now. Block the drain. Fill within 1" top of curb. 24hrs.

Ok. I’ll do test tonight.

Did they tile the shower walls before mudding the floor?

@cpartist

By looking at the first picture and if I understand what you mean, they did mud the floor when it was the first small drain before tiling the walls. Then they tore it out and tore out the bottom 2 rows and put in the linear drain.

Ugh! Not good.

Had to find something to plug drain, will be doing flood test tonight.

What am I looking for exactly? If water level doesn’t drop does that mean I don’t need a sheet membrane?

Did the test and water level stayed the same. But long term, is it ok?

Thank you.

Most likely.

2nd item, the smell. If they haven't figured it out, call a plumber who can scope the line.

Ok. waiting for plumber to call for next week to scope the line.

thanks. I’ll update later.