shower niche problems

This can cause mold to grow here which is not disastrous but it doesnt look very nice. We will be using Laticrete Hydroban board to waterproof the shower including the niche cavity. Baking soda is a gentle, abrasive cleaner that can be used to remove tough stains and soap scum buildup from shower niche tile. I speak english and french so translating it directly I believe he said an L-angle edging trim ? No matter how well sealed, every foundation wall will be relatively moist. And again, your tile installer would probably be happy to cut & polish the edges for your niche. I think it would be reasonable for you to ask them to replace the frameless glass panel and door if it bothers you. In addition, the quality of the material and its ability to resist wear and tear over time should also be taken into account. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. Will it help with moisture behind the niche? What about horizontal placement in the long wall?Vertical placement on the long wall? Im assuming that the edges of the tile are exposed around the perimeter of the shower niche. Thanks Jay. After the boards perimeter is patched, taped and sealed, they will need to apply a new piece of waterproofing membrane to cover the patch. Steve, great article! In general its always the best idea to mount / build your tiled or finished shower niche in a wall that is not an outside facing wall. One solution is to frame the niche. Just to be clear its the type of niche that you have chosen to install thats likely the problem, not your contractors installation strategy. Its a rock solid installation with hydroban vapor and waterproofing barriers. Behind the niche you waterproof the exterior wall board with red gard, then a thin later of insulation. Does that sound sensible to you? The problem is that the hole is there ready for the niche but all the tiles have been put down already around it. I would be more concerned with the use of Kerdi Board to replace the 5/8 drywall of your shower wall. For a shower remodeling project in Northeast Ohio call Cleveland Design and Remodeling at 216-658-1270 or The Bath Doctor in Columbus at 614-252-3242. Unless there are large areas without any grout, silicon caulking would probably be your best option because its very difficult to get new grout to adhere to existing grout, First you should remove the remaining spacers and clean out these areas (and all other voids) as best as you can. I would even buy a can of spray foam so you can spay around it and use it to set the niche into. Instead, I would check to see if there is any signs of water infiltration by cutting a hole in the drywall on the other side of the wall that the niche is mounted into. If you have a 2x6 stud wall there will be some room behind the niche. Second, you have a shelf and a bottom of the niche. The general rule is to install the horizontal finished surfaces in the shower before the vertical. This will reduce the amount of water vapor entering the wall to the bare minimum. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. The shower niche inserts generally come 16" wide so they fit directly between your wall studs, which are spaced out 16 on center. Unfortunately, attempting to remove tiles in the niche or anywhere on the shower wall is a difficult and risky procedure. Regularly inspecting and resealing the niche as needed can help to ensure that it remains properly sealed and protected against water damage and other problems. I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. It is a rental property and we could just warn tenants not to hang anything there, but in our experience that usually never ends well. And please let me know if you need more help, and good luck with your project! No gaps, no cracks. The last step is to seal grout lines. Learn 9 reasons you shouldn't build a tile shower, and better alternatives to cut your costs and eliminate worries about mold or leaking. I would use the 5/8 or 3/4 thickness for extra structural stability, cut to size and glued together with a polyurethane sealant like Dap polyurethane sealant. Make Sure It Integrates with the Waterproofing Membrane, Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide, waterproofing membrane has been installed, a very low perm rating like the Durock sheet membrane or Wedi Subliner Dry, Installing porcelain tile on the shower wall instead of ceramic, https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/media/59976485/mbp_ss129_114.pdf. You should keep in mind that the factors that create moisture and mold growth in the shower wall are water vapor, a temperature differential between the outside and inside walls, the amount of insulation, AND a condensation surface (like a plastic vapor barrier, or foil wrap). If Im understanding your situation correctly, there are a few problems with this installation, needless to say. what about a niche the full length of a 5 foot shower. Fill the entire wall if possible (or at least the stud cavity) and place the niche into the wet foam). Steam showers have been praised for their many benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, improved circulation, and respiratory health. Importance of regular cleaning: Regular cleaning helps to keep the shower niche looking its best, as well as prevent the buildup of mold, mildew, and other potentially harmful substances. I think it would be a good idea to get some kind of written assurance from your tiling contractor that your shower was rebuilt by qualified installers following the industry best practices. Cut and glue/caulk the Palisade/Dumawall tile to cover the sides of the shower niche. Looking for opinions on whether y'all think this is a shower pan problem or possibly slow drip from the niche, which is what I'm thinking as it seems to be . Great article. If your outside wall studs are 2x6 construction, I believe it may be possible, especially if the wall was sprayed with polyurethane foam insulation (best R-value per inch and awesome vapour control). In other words, you should definitely ask a trusted local contractor before you decide to build a shower niche into an outside wall to avoid this potential shower niche install mistake. With thinset beneath the tile inside the niche it should line up perfectly. 3) he recommend us a 1/32 grout size for a 12*24 rectified tile for easy to clean it although the manufacturer recommends 1/8. You could still use the wall tile or an accent tile for the back wall of the niche. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Cleaning and remediation options: If mold and mildew have already begun to grow in your shower niche, there are several cleaning and remediation options available. Yes, it is possible to add a shower niche to an existing shower. The miscalculated using measurement for a walk in shower I believe, rather than glass on tub. Let grout cure according to manufacturer's directions. Bathroomaholic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If anything they are more tilted to back which is even worse. As for the tile/ tub margin the best way is always to silicon this margin. It seems like youre being quite forgiving of the mistake that they made (I agree with your evaluation, btw). This includes ensuring proper ventilation in the bathroom, using waterproof materials, and cleaning the shower niche tile regularly. Its great to hear that you were not deterred by the sometimes intimidating prospect of tackling your own bathroom remodel project. This is the issue. If youre considering building / installing a niche in your new shower remodel project, you have likely seen many examples of this type of niche. All these foam and plastic niches can distort if not fully supported. Frame it like a window! Now I have to sort of find a box that can be inserted inside and have a bit if a lip all round or do as mentioned before, cover in ceramic. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. Install shower niche. Hi Steve, Great advice to everyone. Id love if there are pictures to see the different options. Although they are less durable than some other materials such as ceramic or stone, they can provide a long-lasting and attractive option for your shower niche if properly maintained and cared for. When you already have a shower niche and want to avoid problems, you need to follow a plan to keep it in great shape. Your email address will not be published. Maybe this isnt such a good idea? When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. Additionally, cleaning the niche with a mildew-resistant cleaner can help to keep it free of mold and mildew. Corner shelves are easier to tile. The bottom tiles of the niche slope back towards the wall resulting in a lot of water building up to almost 3mm in depth against the back of the niche. Installing a waterproof membrane behind the niche and using high-quality grout and sealants can help to prevent water damage and reduce the risk of warping. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa73259bdde6e6e1cf75feb3586d0df2" );document.getElementById("dc5b5fc75d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Join our Mailing list for blog and product updates, Click the Ad link below to leave the Redblock site and continue to Amazon.com, Schluter Kerdi Board 12"x20" Shower Niche, How to Install a Corner Shelf in an Already Tiled Shower, 7 Best Corner Shower Shelf Options for New AND Existing Showers, How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. That means that between the brick wall and the tiled shower wall, there needs to be an adequate amount of space filled with insulation, to prevent moisture from condensing in the wall. Do you tile directly on these? Am I right? Thanks so much for the helpful article. However, even the smallest cracks allow moisture to seep in and penetrate through the seams of the backer board, reaching the underlying framing and damaging the entire shower wall. Because this niche is designed to be installed after tiling, the silicon bead become the only thing keeping moisture out of the stud wall. The integrity of a tiled assembly requires significant rigidity in this wall to reduce the chance of grout cracking, tile delamination, and failure of the waterproofing membrane. Just make sure you seal the grout well so you can more easily clean off any mold and soap scum that may collect. From warping and poor installation to mold and mildew, these issues can quickly turn your once beautiful and functional shower niche into a source of frustration. Acrylic tiles are a popular material for walk-in showers due to their durability and ease of cleaning. Thank you for your comment, and Im sorry to hear about your troubles with your niche install. These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. After vacuuming out all the dust, you should let the wall dry for a couple of days (a heater blower unit would be great to speed things up) to make sure any moisture trapped behind the tiles dries out. Recently my bathroom was remodeled with a niche installed. The beginning of your comment is a bit cryptic but I think I understand what you are asking. With so many different types of shower heads available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. Seal the grout (and the voids) thoroughly with a grout sealer like Sealers Choice Gold. You can then insulate this wall and install your shower niche into it. In wall directly under the shower head. We were wanting the most storage possible for our items we use for our son as well as for our guests to put their items in there as well. Their angled screws into marble caused the front edge of the hinge to pull away (walk back from the tile face). In more severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the damaged material and replace it with new, warp-resistant materials and a waterproofing membrane. Yes, it is possible to add a shower niche to an existing shower. Also, the door has a quartz lip where the quartz meets the tile and between the tile and quartz there is a hole and can see the water dripping off the bottom. Thank you for your comment! If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. These alternatives may be a good choice for renters or for those who do not want to modify the structure of their shower. . The problem is that there is still only one layer of adhesive that keeps water from getting behind the niche regardless when its mounted. Causes of leaking: Leaking shower niches or ledges are a common problem in bathroom design. Lastly, I also have to warn you about the risks of installing a long horizontal niche. After a shower wall is tiled, its too risky to attempt to repair or re-build a shower niche at this point. wedi Shower Niche 16 in. The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. Causes of poor installation: Poor installation of a custom shower niche is a common problem that can lead to a range of issues, including leakage, water damage, and warping. Let me know if you need more clarification or if youd like to give me more details for further assessment. Usually the cheapest shelf option is a tiled shelf constructed with wood framing (if a custom niche) or 2 inch thick foam board (see below). The work was done by a licensed tile company who does impeccable work. These environmental stresses cause all parts of the shower assembly to move slightly, mostly through expansion and contraction. Any advice would be appreciated. In this article, well take a look at the various types of shower heads and discuss the, Your email address will not be published. This is an assumption made far too often when shower niches are framed into the shower wall. This makes it a much safer install. How much water vapor will move into the stud wall is entirely dependent on whether or not a waterproofing membrane has been installed on the shower wall and how well your shower niche resists moisture penetration. Dont leave any air spaces around the niche or in that particular stud cavity (to eliminate air circulation). These flanges are critically important to maintain the integrity of the shower wall waterproofing membrane. Although it is a growing trend, there, Read More The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out ForContinue, Are you renovating your bathroom and wondering whether to install a shower curtain or a shower door? How To Increase Your Toilet Flush Performance And Power. An expansion/ contraction joint is required here and silicon serves this purpose well. If youre interested in this shower niche shelf or all kinds of other shower shelves, you can check out my shower niche shelf post. The most important part of this project will be your undertile waterproofing. They didnt fully grout so there was a few missed tile that they just caulked instead of re grouted should I be concerned? In my opinion, all niches should bond with the shower wall waterproofing membrane whether theyre finished stainless steel or prefab tiled. All brick wall. Thanks Steve for taking the time to reply ! We have a bathroom that is 64 wide, do you think that is too large to do a Horizontal Niche in the current wall? You should also make sure the shelf is sloped slightly outwards. This of course assumes that you will be adequately fortifying the structure in this wall. Can you tile right on the concrete wall, use the waterproofing membrane all around and have good results? The problem is that these measures mostly address structural stresses applied from above, but do not often address the increased flexibility (reduction in rigidity) caused by cutting out the vertical framing. Let us know! #1. Will that look ugly? Now some of that grout has broken. You should also take into account the overall style and design of your bathroom when choosing the size and style of your shower niche. It doesnt take a waterproofing expert to see that this tiny silicon bead is the only defence against water running into the wall cavity. These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. It will be a single 30 square niche. I would also suggest installing an extremely good sheet waterproofing membrane. We are in Chicago which of course gets very cold in winter. Additionally, it is important to choose materials that are resistant to water and wear, such as acrylic or fiberglass. Is it absolutely necessary to put a cross beam (blocking) where a pre-fab niche would go? We are currently in a remodel and was thinking of this horizontal niche with a light in the top corner. I have a niche install on an outside wall and now is bad condensation, I have the builders coming back to rectify. Congrats! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. my contractor just bought a shower niche (link below) and wanted to leave it as is. Hey there Our contractor installed a shower niche and tiled the wall and niche however my husband doesnt like the finished product as there is. A properly installed niche will be less prone to water damage, warping, and other problems, and will provide a long-lasting and functional addition to your bathroom. My husband thinks we should have a piece of sheet metal cut and installed. In our case, there would be a good 6 inches distance between the shower wall and the rest of the bathroom wall that is facing outside. The shower will be 4 6 x 6, with the 6 wall being the exterior wall. There also needs to be an adequate waterproofing membrane beneath the tile layer to limit moisture transmission into this wall. nothing. OUR GURANTEE - 100% waterproof and leak-proof guaranteed. This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another RedblockRead More How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. Your bar soap will probably slip off the shelf, but you dont want water pooling at the base of the wall tiles regardless of how well youve sealed this margin. Im super happy that I could provide you with some helpful advice! It will scratch and get foggy over time, and I would guess that harsh cleaners like bleach would accelerated this process. The size and style of your shower niche should be based on the size and design of your shower, as well as your storage needs. I ended up putting in additional studs in all the walls because the walls in this closet turned shower had the most impractical stud spacing, nothing below 18 on center, some as high as 26. If you absolutely need to install on the outside wall, you should certainly install a foam niche but I would go one step further and install a SUPER GOOD sheet waterproofing membrane on the entire wall and in the niche as well. Generally speaking, its not good to install the vertical tile (or stone) first because water that runs off the vertical tile surfaces could settle at the gap between the floor and wall tile. Two Heads Better Than One: Are His and Hers Showers Worth It? Ive attached photos. Good luck with your new shower remodel project, AND enjoy your new shower niche! This will improve the R-value behind the niche and reduce the chance of moisture reaching the niche. Best materials for shower niches: The best material for your shower niche will depend on a variety of factors, including your budget, the style and design of your bathroom, and your personal preferences. We want to use a single-piece of marble for the shelf. Shower head and three niches. We are upgrading a bathroom on a bungalow we both. A good grout sealer will help reduce this problem (Sealers Choice Gold by Custom Building Products). As far as I can tell, your part of Florida experiences temps from the 40s (F) to the 90s (F) so there is enough of a temp variation to create a condensation problem behind the niche (if it was mounted in an outside wall with inadequate insulation behind it). Run a 28 or 210 header, king stud jack stud, ledger and cripples. Yes, but also no, Shower Water Pressure Low? Will it work?! This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber.Be aware that there are potential problems that can come up when you retrofit a shower niche. Maybe I am not understanding your situation correctly, but if you wanted a finished niche and you want it to be completely waterproof, Im just wondering why you didnt purchase one thats designed to integrate with the waterproofing membrane. I just got a quote back for 2cm quartz pieces for a custom niche, and it was over $1,200! Here are some ideas on how to make sure that you get the most out of your shower niche so it doesnt become a source of frustration. It will be on an inside wall. See my waterproofing membrane post for more info. To test this, you can let the shower dry out for a few days and test that back of the niche with a good quality moisture meter. Tile Ready brand products by Tile Redi: shower pans and shower bases, recessed niches, shower benches, shaving ledges, and decorative shelf kits. For more shower niche ideas, click here. However, these features can also experience various problems that can detract from the overall look and functionality of the shower whether it is a walk-in shower or traditional. The back of the niche tile is what we would like to remove, the sides and border tiles are fine. If you said no, you would be correct. No tiler we asked will put in a niche into the shower. The Durock Shower Niche is the only plastic niche that I would ever recommend because it has a coating applied to its surface to facilitate mortar bonding. 6 Tips to Increase the Pressure, 4 Steam Shower Deep Cleaning and Maintenance Tips, A Clear Guide to Steam Shower Costs: What to Know, Choosing Steam Shower Accessories: A Complete Guide, Hot vs Steamy: Simple Guide to Steam Shower vs Sauna, Sweat it Out: The 7 Healthy Benefits of Steam Showers, The Ultimate Guide to Convert Shower to Steam Shower, Use This Easy Steam Shower Generator Sizing Calculator, Worth Buying? I dont see any problem with this other than the fact that you must construct your own custom niche box to acheive the unique height and depth (rather than using a preformed niche). Any suggestions would help me! I like the Redblock corner shelf design; especially the fact that it doesnt interfere with the waterproofing membrane and its a bit more transitional design than the Schluter option. With the right cleaning supplies and a simple 7-step, Are you tired of your outdated bathroom and ready for a bathroom remodel? Without a waterproofing membrane, this movement almost always causes grout line cracking in your shower niche. I did a bit more research and I have seen some people do it this way (I guess the old fashion way??) You are correct that it is designed to be a tile ready niche, not a finished niche. Wish we would have known some of this 5 years ago when we had our bathrooms professionally remodeled. This would allow you to add a bit more insulation behind the niche, but either way you should use spray foam because it has a greater R-value per inch of thickness. The overall cost would depend on the location you are living in, the time of purchase, and the seller you have picked to purchase from. Its truly frightening how many shower niche install mistakes that can happen in a typical shower remodel, especially if your contractor is building you a custom shower niche. We are doing an accessible shower for my son but the bathroom will also be used by guests who come to visit. In this comprehensive guide, well dive into the most common shower niche problems, and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to overcome them. Hi Steve, These horizontal niches are the epitome of opulence, sometimes spanning the entire shower wall and offering a huge area for storage. And if the niche is mounted in an outside wall, this is a whole other ball game. Do you have any suggestions? Chances are that you will damage the waterproofing membrane (if there is one) or damage the backer board (might even be gypsum wallboard). Types of sealants: There are several different types of sealants available for use in shower niches, including silicone, epoxy, and polyurethane. If you plan to install a custom shower niche into your shower wall, and you want to avoid making one of the biggest shower niche install mistakes, you must make sure that you or your contractor doesnt forget the waterproofing step. Causes of warping: Warping in shower niches can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper shower niche installation, backer board exposure to moisture and water, and fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels. 246 Posts . During a complete shower wall reconstruction, the retrofit niche hole is cut out of the the tile backer board after its attached to the shower wall framing. The shower wall tiles would then be installed. This sheet will only provide a condensation surface for moisture. If the shower wall is brick, it is likely an outside wall. If you cant do spray foam, a 2 thick insulating foam sheet can be placed behind it. When you know the issues with shower niches, you can make sure to avoid them when installing your shower. The wall is framed with metal studs and reinforced with wood and there will probably be some air circulation at the tops of the walls above the drywall ceiling into the joist area because the metal studs are not very air tight. They claim 56 height is industry standard. I think you know what Im going to say.. You should not be installing your niche on a 3-1/2 outside stud wall not even in northern California. In some cases, the problem may be as simple as replacing a damaged gasket or adding caulk around the edges of the niche. If foam is best what kind of foam? If the mortar contains enough polymer adhesive, I guess it could stick reliably to the plastic surface, but as an installer I would never take this risk. Checking the grout lines regularly and addressing any issues promptly can also help to maintain the integrity and functionality of the shower niche over time. Im nervous that an HOA Board member without the training nor expertise to judge these things will simply order us to tear it out and rebuild the firewall or something like that. But I would be grateful if you could let me know what would be the best way to do this? The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. Im not really sure what to say about this one. Use a grout removal tool to help with this and to remove any loose bits of grout. Installing a ventilation fan or opening a window during and after showers can help to reduce humidity levels and prevent mold growth.

Austin Texas Death News, Holland State Park Flag Color Today, Cramlington Property For Sale, Ian Schrager Star Wars, Frank Bisignano Wife, Articles S