Contractors solution to Water leaking from bathroom

last year

We have had chronic leaking from our bathroom into our family room over a 5 year time frame. Each time to contract comes back - one time it was from the grout issues at the floor/curb, then he rebuilt the curb, then it was from the frame of the shower door, then it was grout and leaking sprayer coming down the back of the wall. The latest was he rebuilt a shelf we have along the wall of the shower.

When he came back to do that, he also filled in with some sort of caulk all around the pipes and joints in the boards. Is this best practice? Could this cause me an issue in the long run? I am very concerned is not qualitifed or using best practices. I worry the entire shower should be removed and rebuilt!

What is my recourse with the contractor? And should this caulk be removed?

Featured Answer

PRO

Monique

last year

last modified: last year

Why haven't you bought a clue here and ripped the whole mess out and started over? With someone who understands that a waterproofing system must go behind the tile.

You have zero recourse with the contractor other than a civil suit for the costs of the redo. After you have paid the 15K to redo it, and another 15K to an attorney for a retainer. Then, if you win, it is up to you to strong arm collect from someone that will just file bankruptcy and start a different business.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

cat_ky
last year
Thats a mess. I would not be leaving it, and I agree with Monique post above. Get it redone, and do it right this time. Go on utube and look at videos, for shower water proofing, learn all about it, and stick around when yours is being done, to make sure its right, and do not use the contractor you already have.
Related Professionals
Crestview Home Remodeling · Richmond Home Remodeling · Yuba City Home Remodeling · Santa Fe Home Remodeling · Norfolk General Contractors · Altoona General Contractors · Yuma General Contractors · Bismarck General Contractors · Bronx Bathroom Remodelers · Muncie Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lafayette Bathroom Remodelers · Killeen Bathroom Remodelers · Platteville Bathroom Remodelers · Spring Tile and Stone Contractors · Salem Tile and Stone Contractors
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Hire someone with a high quality moisture meter to assess the situation before anything else.
tlsq
last year
Hire someone who knows not to use spray foam to stop moisture and especially not over plumbing connections
millworkman
last year
Time to rip the bandaid. You are not fixing your way thru this. Time for gut and complete do over by someone other that this guy. He "should" have told you this 5 years ago.
Theresa Peterson
last year
Why haven't you bought a clue here and ripped the whole mess out and started over?

Agree. Bandaids do not work on plumbing -- water works against you 24/7.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Nothing is less helpful here than the tear-it-all-out crowd. You diagnose; possibly with selective demolition. Not everyone can afford a tear-out and without a proper diagnosis, it could be a complete waste of money.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Joe I hear you but if they had water leaking through the curb, and then through the wall to floor transition, and then through shelves…. Sounds like they are relying on tile and grout for waterproofing. Actually testing is the right way to go moving forward, and obviously this contractor should never be hired again.
millworkman
last year
" Nothing is less helpful here than the tear-it-all-out crowd. You diagnose; possibly with selective demolition. "

Typically I agree Joe. This has been going on for 5 years and this hack has added one kludge to another while doing to alleviate the moisture damage that is only continuing to get worse.
3onthetree
last year
That is insulation spray foam. If the contractor was using it to prevent water infiltration, then it will fail. But you have not stated what the leak was this time, or if it was fixed prior to the spray foam.

It appears the contractor used DensShield Tile Backer. With the glass mat covering, the contractor may have been misled by that because it does not require a separate waterproof membrane (per TCNA), but the joints and edges are an achilles heel and may not have been sealed. Also any niche needs a separate waterproofing per the DensShield spec. Just stating possible leak points without knowing how the contractor installed anything.