I would need to see what his next steps are. I would not do the corner seat or the niche . A nice foldable teak seat that can be reoved is IMO nicer choice and I never like shower niches in my experience they are often the source of water leaks and get gross . A nice shower caddy or even a free standing one that sits outside the shower both IMO better choices .Yes all the seams need to be taped and IMO you insist on that and then comeback here before the tiling starts and show us what it looks like .

Their response on the seams was Aqua Defense is rated to act as a liner so mudding every seam or putting cement board in the niche isn't necessary.

Fire them. ASAP.

" Their response on the seams was Aqua Defense is rated to act as a liner so mudding every seam or putting cement board in the niche isn't necessary. "

And they would be incorrect in spite of doing this for 30 years.

They are full of ship. Got to go. Before they ruin your tile by trying to set it on, ugh, that.

Can someone please explain the process of a walk in shower remodel and help me understand whats wrong here so I can stay on top of these people with the facts? I have shared the feedback provided so far, but maybe I am not using the right terminology, and they are telling me everything will be fine once its all done. This is what they have done so far. Please let me know what you

see wrong, missing, etc.

Ask him to pull out his TCNA Manual, and when he can't, produce THIS. You're wasting your breath with this guy, because he won't have one.

I kind off gave you the rundown earlier of what was wrong. What's the black now on the cement board? You have zero warranty on the material, as it is not taped properly. They used multiple brands of waterproofing (assuming that that is what the black painted on stuff is). The niche needed to be done with cement board. Did he flood test the pan for proper drainage?

BIG RED FLAG: Cement board on top of curb, screwed through liner. Dam corners for curb appear to be missing. How is the niche (supposedly) waterproofed? Are you saying they intend on tiling directly on top of the wood framing of the niche? Why was work done, and tools stored, on top of liner without protection? Like someone said earlier, 30 years of wrong is still wrong. You should divest yourself of this contractor/company, even if it means you end up paying more.

Yes, thanks for your input, I addressed all that you mentioned with them. They ended up adding durock to the niche but said the bigger seams in the wall durock will be filled with thin set when putting on the tile so there was not need to tape or mud them. He did end up using two different waterproofer, one was aqua defense then he for the second coat he used pro flex hydra seal. Today he finished that and laid the floor, he did not water test the pan.

"They ended up adding durock to the niche but said the bigger seams in the wall durock will be filled with thin set when putting on the tile so there was not need to tape or mud them. He did end up using two different waterproofer, one was aqua defense then he for the second coat he used pro flex hydra seal. Today he finished that and laid the floor, he did not water test the pan."

WHY ARE YOU CLINGING TO THIS GUY?

"bigger seams in the wall durock will be filled with thin set when putting on the tile so there was not need to tape or mud them."

"

"thinset itself isn't waterproof. It isn't degraded by water, and does resist the flow of water (somewhat), but definitely does not "waterproof" any tile installation the way a membrane will.F"

( note here, that grout is not waterproof, either. )

Were this me? I ask what you owe to this point, kick him out, suffer the delay. It will be less angst than the rip and re do

He's taking every single short cut he can and probably has been for thirty years.

Moreover? What are you planning to use for top pf curb, top of bench, floor of niche .

All of these should be solid surface, not tile.

What are your shower tiles, what is leading leading edge trim on shower walls? What is exact plan for niche? What is the exact plan for the shower glass? Who is installing it, where is it coming from.?

He doesn't know what he is doing, you better know., or find out fast. You can not just hand a contractor a bathroom with the words " do me! " .

You don't know what you don't know, and he thinks he knows all and everything. A disaster waiting to happen.

I understand your pain/frustration. I had to have my shower redone because the contractor did not build it correctly. My contractor did a bit better than yours - but he still had some of the major issues like you have (example - screwing through the Durock on top of the curb = penetrating the pvc liner - I bet there are also screws on the inside of the curb which is also not allowed).

It also looks like the pvc liner is flat on the subfloor (mine was also) - there needs to be a pre slope underneath the liner - then another layer of deck mud goes over the liner. If the liner is flat, then the water that enters into the deck mud underneath your tiles/grout will just sit there - instead of being directed to the weep holes of the clamping drain.

My contractor gave me the ”I’ve been doing this for over 20 years” speech - but he was still doing things incorrectly.

You need to have him stop before he installls any more tile. He needs to explain why he failed to do a flood test of the shower pan. He needs to explain why there isn’t a pre slope under the pvc liner. He needs to explain why he punctured the pvc liner on top (and probably inside) the curb.

Why did he use two different types of waterproofing on the walls? I have no idea if they are compatible - and honestly, it makes zero sense to me.

There will be a statute that covers this type of residential renovation that has been enacted in your state. Some of these statutes require the homeowner to allow the contractor the right to remediate issues = you can’t just fire him if you want to try to recoup the money you’ve spent.

ACJN (I think that’s the right user name) made several posts regarding how she handled similar issues w a contractor - and the steps needed to recover $ in small claims. As an attorney, I remember that the post contained very helpful information.

I truly am sorry that you have to deal with this. I know that it’s uncomfortable to confront your contractor when he’s the ”professional” - but he’s not acting like a true professional. You really do not want to let him move forward without resolving all of the current issues.

@HU-877150550....

I think you may be clinging to this terrible contractor because you have already paid for a good portion of this mess. I am so sorry you are in the thick of this. And you hope it will be fixed. I imagine you are a half glass full optimistic person that is hopeful. You see the good in people. And I fully understand not wanting to fire him as it can be very expensive to do a renovation. But remember it could be far worse later. The bathroom could leak into the walls, floor below or rooms next door. It might have to be completely ripped out and redone but next time it might have mold or ruined interiors. Yes, to hire another might be more expensive but it would be done correctly. And in the end worth every penny.

But, I think you already know all this. Your doubts and the reality you are seeing in front of you in person and when you ask your contractor questions are making you worry. And it's great you came to Houzz to ask others for ideas, opinions and offer you more hope.

Hoping you get the bathroom you want and it doesn't damage the rest of your home.

"they ended up adding durock to the niche but said the bigger seams in the wall durock will be filled with thin set when putting on the tile so there was not need to tape or mud them"

And he is wrong and still feeding you BS. Wrong is wrong. No material manufacturer will stand behind any of your material, two waterproofing systems will void any warranty, Durock not taped and mudded, no warranty. In addition to the pan liner with the Durock applied incorrectly at the floor intersection, and the holes popped in the liner, all as catbuilder brought up.

The moment you saw that crumbling ruin of a ”bench” is when you should have shooed him off the property. If you keep going, the disaster is at your door. He has showed you the hack that he is at every single step. How are you still clinging to the hope that he will change?

I can’t brlieve you let him ruin your tile like that. Sheesh. Give people books, send them to school, and they eat the books. Not everyone really wants help.

Did you fire them yet?

Thank you to everyone on here who shared your knowledge, experience and provided advice. Unfortunately, I did have to cut my losses and let this contractor go, and now I am out a few thousand for what I put done as a deposit, but I’d rather it be done right and pay more than to have a mess a few years from now. I tried multiple attempts to discuss my concerns and they would refused to correct anything until I mentioned terminating the relationship, then they were willing to rip it out and start over. I just wasn’t comfortable with them doing anymore work on my shower, so I have moved on and hired another contractor. I am glad this site exists and I hope no one else has to go through this, it was very stressful!