Shower Leak

[Lisa2525]

This shower was rebuilt 2 years ago because of leaks. The new company rebuild a cement shower pain. It held up right over a year before we started to notice wet spots on the baseboard on the wall next to the shower and the wall in a closet directly behind the shower. We let the area dry out completely then ran shower to attempt to identify the leak. It took almost an hour of water running before water started leaking under the granite curb, above this green waterproof membrane.

Any suggestions what is being done wrong? The pipes are not leaking but we do not trust that is will be rebuilt right a third time. Suggestions?

 

[Jadnashua]

It's really sad how many 'pros' don't follow industry standards when building a shower.

Without some pictures while it was being built, it's hard to say what's wrong. But, the membrane is not designed to be applied over wood, if what your last picture shows represents anything else in the shower.

The top of the curb should be sloped into the shower. Looks like it might be about 6" across, so the inner side should be at least 1/8" lower (1/4" per foot) so water flows back into the shower.

Can't tell how they attached the door, but if they drilled into the curb cap, that's generally not a good idea. IF they did drill into it, that might be why the outside looks wet.

FWIW, neither the tile nor grout are considered waterproofing, they are decorative wear surfaces. The shower should not be damaged by being wet prior to installing the tile.

You could check www.johnbridge.com where they specialize on things tiled.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[ss3964spd]

The rotten wood shown in those photos didn't happen in the last year or two, that's years of decay. which means whoever "rebuilt" the shower knew about the poor condition of the wood and didn't address it. Like Jim suggests, the entire build is in question.

Not what you wanted to hear, Lisa, but it's going to require more demolition to find out exactly where it's leaking.

 

[Dj2]

I'm looking at the third picture from the left (the enclosure bottom rail).
Can you take a picture from the outside? I want to see the bottom rail and the way it sits on the granite curb.

 

[Lisa2525]

I'm looking at the third picture from the left (the enclosure bottom rail).
Can you take a picture from the outside? I want to see the bottom rail and the way it sits on the granite curb.

We already removed the rail. it was glued and siliconed to the granite. We did find cracks in the grout in the corner above the shower. We also realized our exterior wall is getting wet as well. Could that all be from the grout?