Photos

Photo

Why would those be necessary? The issue is cracking grout

The cracking grout issue is most likely due to poor preparation.

Thanks Laura, that is what I figured may be the case. Can this just be remedied by replacing the grout? I am concerned moisture may have seeped behind tiles, do I have a major issue on my hands?

Grout is not waterproof, that is why the waterproofing system behind the tile is critical. But, yes the grout can be removed and replaced.

Ok thank you. In the last photo, there is a darkness/shadow behind the tiles, I was concerned that might be moisture. Any idea why that would be happening? Maybe it is moisture that should dry out after the shower is used?

Is the shadow only on tiles directly below your niche?

" there is a darkness/shadow behind the tiles, I was concerned that might be moisture. "

Very well could be mositure. Grout allows water to pass thru, as I stated it is not waterproof. That is why Lomo asked about in progress pics during construction as it may not have been built properly and the root issue not "fixable".

Here are a couple showing behind the tile.

Now that I’m comparing the photos it looks like the shadowing might just be the thinset showing through the tile again. It is evident in the construction photos, but then had dried out and went away. I’ll attach a later pic below near project completion where it wasn’t apparent. Now it’s back I guess…? Not sure why that would be.

I see no evidence of waterproofing, cement board is not waterproof. All the joints in the cement board need to be taped with a non-alkaline mesh tape and spackled with thinset, same with the screwheads. It does not appear that the manufacturers screw pattern was followed either. You most likely will continue to have issues until you rip out the shower and have it redone.

I see no evidence of cement board; I see greenboard which is suitable for an untiled shower ceiling, but not as a tile substrate. If it's greenboard, it's a tear-out.

Here’s another photo I found. You can see behind the blue sealant that there is tape along the areas where the boards meet. If they did use cement board, then it seems like the issue is the grout repair/replacement. Which would entail removing grout from the whole shower, or just problem areas, and redoing new grout?

The tiler said he has been tiling for 25 years, but if the grout is cracking so much already it was likely prepared improperly, right? How can I make sure it’s done properly when redone?

Full gut and redo.

Not so fast please. Since the better picture was posted, it's obviously not greenboard which would be an automatic tear-out.

What is the brand of cement board please? Contrary to popular myth here, some cement boards are waterproof and require no additional waterproof coating in the field:

"When using a standard cement board for a waterproofed shower enclosure, installers must also apply a liquid waterproofing membrane on the entire wall structure. With PermaBASE WP, they need to apply waterproofing/sealant only at joint seams, fastener heads/penetrations and exposed edges."

If this is PermaBASE WP, it appears to be installed per the manufacturer's instructions. If so, I'd remove the failed grout, reapply, and forget about it.

I could agree Joseph but all the Permabase WP I have seen has the logo in 12" tall print on the board face itself and all I see is a small sticker (that should have been removed prior to tiling).