shower niche problems
Im a tile contractor. Corner shelves are easier to tile. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. 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. This sheet will only provide a condensation surface for moisture. Durability and resistance to water: When choosing materials for your shower niche, it is important to consider their durability and resistance to water. And if left for any length of time it might get moldy. Step 2. Shower-niche-shelf | Wayfair Is it absolutely necessary to put a cross beam (blocking) where a pre-fab niche would go? This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. It's hard to look away, for better or for worse. Is Drano Ok? Your email address will not be published. We are doing a shower remodel where the niche will have to go on an external wall, no choice. Here is a primer that allows you to do this: https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/media/59976485/mbp_ss129_114.pdf. We are doing an accessible shower for my son but the bathroom will also be used by guests who come to visit. The price of the Wedi shower system ranges between $800-$1300. In a normal installation, the tile backer board is installed with a hole just large enough to allow the entire niche to be screwed directly to the framing installed earlier. Sometimes this is a bearing wall that the structural integrity of your home depends on, and sometimes its not. The problem is that there is still only one layer of adhesive that keeps water from getting behind the niche regardless when its mounted. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. These horizontal niches are the epitome of opulence, sometimes spanning the entire shower wall and offering a huge area for storage. 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. Niches ought to not be against exterior walls if possible in cold climates. Thoughts? 6 Tile Shower Niche Questions Answered by Experts - Tile Club But when shower niche problems arise, it can be frustrating and even damaging to your bathroom. Any advice would be appreciated. I have consulted experts (Underwriters Laboratories Architectural Division) who say that thinset mortar and porcelain tile is naturally fireproof anyways, so that should meet or exceed the walls fire rating. Use a grout removal tool to help with this and to remove any loose bits of grout. I dont really understand how you are going to get a 2 space behind your niche in a 3-1/2 stud wall but if your niche was super narrow and the shelf protrudes, I guess you could pull that off. Sorry I didnt get back to you sooner. Just make sure there are no voids at all. 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. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. I am assuming that at least one of your shower walls is a brick wall, and this is the wall where your want your shower niche to be installed. To be sure, you really should consult a local contractor familiar with the insulation and vapour control requirements in your area. I would have to agree with you. There are many commercial tile cleaners available on the market that are specifically designed to clean different types of tiles, such as ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. If there is no moisture issues behind the niche, you could consider applying new tile over the old tile at the back of the niche. But, here, the con for the Wedi shower system is that it is a bit expensive. Shower Not Working: 4 Common Reasons and How to Fix Them - Plumb One Lastly, I also have to warn you about the risks of installing a long horizontal niche. Hi Steve! 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. The 5 Signs of a Bad Toilet: How Long Do They Last? Then, the sealant can be applied using a caulking gun or another appropriate application tool. The shower is tiled in plain white subway tiles and this is what is bordering the niche. In my opinion, a typical structural header and jack stud assembly can still be acceptable in some circumstances if the wall is non-structural, but this assembly must be built flawlessly. If there are hairline cracks here (there often are after the grout has broken away beneath) moisture can infiltrate and pool over the silicon bead. The tiling flange that surrounds the niche, is designed to extend out from the mounting surface a full 1/2 so that you can surround the niche with tile as thick as 3/8, but you can also surround the niche with an acrylic, stone, or glass shower panel if you like. Poor shower niche installation can be caused by inexperienced or unqualified installers who need to become more familiar with the proper techniques and materials needed for a successful installation. Maximizing Your Space: Where to Place a Shower Niche Even if it is not, I would still suggest the same solution (below). 4. Hello again. 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. OUR GURANTEE - 100% waterproof and leak-proof guaranteed. Shower Ledges vs Niches: Which Option is Right for You? It could certainly cause a problem in the long run even if you have a waterproofing membrane beneath the tile. Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to a Shower? They said its too difficult to do . Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). Complete Steam Shower Pros and Cons, Goodbye Grime: 7 Steps on How to Clean a Walk-In Shower, Walk-in Shower Pros and Cons: A Complete Guide, Walk-in Shower vs. Tub: The Ultimate Showdown, What Is a Walk-In Shower and Why You Should Have One, Everything you need to know about using a bidet for enema, How Do You Use A Bum Gun? Acrylic tiles are lightweight and easy to install, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. A fair bit of water deflects onto the shower walls in this area, so a bar of soap can become a sloppy mess and dissolve down the drain, if stored within this zone. That may be your best evidence for your HOA in case they have any questions. With thinset beneath the tile inside the niche it should line up perfectly. Second, you have a shelf and a bottom of the niche. The chance of anybody screwing something into the wall below 3 feet are very low. See my waterproofing membrane post for more info. It isnt going to be quite as stain and scratch-resistant as quartz, but I think it would be safe, waterproof, durable, and easy to clean (potentially even bleach-cleanable). If youve not yet committed to a shower niche, check out my Complete Shower Niche Guide. If you have a standard 3 1/2 stud framing in this outside wall, its very likely that theres a condensation/mold problem behind the niche, regardless how well they waterproofed it. Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. Id love if there are pictures to see the different options. I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. Yes, our stainless steel recessed shower niches can be finished with any type of shower panel or shower board. 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). My builders have just installed a Schluter prefabricated niche but have forgotten to slope the tile so water is pooling. We will be using Laticrete Hydroban board to waterproof the shower including the niche cavity. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. Installing a Kerdi-board niche This size is often sufficient for most bottles. Really good article. felizlady. Will that look ugly? Knowledge Center The seven most common shower problems are: Clogging and Inefficient Draining Low Water Pressure Noisy Shower Rattling Shower Pipes Leaky Shower Head or Faucet Bad Smells Inconsistent Temperature Let's discuss them in more detail along with how you can fix them 1 - Clogging and Inefficient Draining Just to be clear its the type of niche that you have chosen to install thats likely the problem, not your contractors installation strategy. I have never seen any fire rating on any foam backer board. In some cases, the problem may be as simple as replacing a damaged gasket or adding caulk around the edges of the niche. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. Shower Niche Problems | Home Guides | SF Gate 5 BIG Shower Niche Install Mistakes to Avoid in your Shower Remodel We want to use a single-piece of marble for the shelf. Should we still stay away from a large horizontal niche on the wall to the garage or will it be ok using foam board and spray foam behind niche? A bit more expensive for the material but its usually the go to shelf alternative for most tiled shower niches. The niche is placed into this hole, and the outer flange on the niche is pressed against the tile. We will be using a prefab EZ-niche, thank you for the suggestion above of coating it with red guard for substrate adhesion, we wouldnt have thought about using that since the niche is water proof by design. Of course, none of this will necessarily occur if the shower wall and niche are properly waterproofed, and there is enough space behind the shower niche for adequate insulation. I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). As far as I am aware, the Redblock niche and the Easy Drain niche are the only stainless steel niches designed to bond with the shower wall waterproofing membrane. Do you have any advice or suggestions please? #1. I just got a quote back for 2cm quartz pieces for a custom niche, and it was over $1,200! I know its frustrating to see but I think youre stuck with it unfortunately. Wish we would have known some of this 5 years ago when we had our bathrooms professionally remodeled. If its not possible, have you considered installing wall mounted shelves? Because the Schluter prefabricated shower niche is made of foam board, I would not recommend pulling the tile. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. A Complete Guide to Smart Shower Pros and Cons, Essential Oils in the Shower: 5 Simple Hacks to Revitalize Your Shower Routine, Goodbye Boring Shower: How to Use Shower Steamers. So the water they catch is from the back spray from shower use. Depth of a Shower Niche. They used hardie to build it out, but the corners arent aligned, and one part of the niche doesnt have hardie on it. Maybe you should read over my Shower waterproofing post to find out more about waterproofing a shower niche. In fact I thought it was so great that I decided to design one to meet my clients needs. If installing a shower niche on in interior wall, what do you suggest putting behind it to prevent someone from puncturing it from the other side? Both if we wanted to keep the niche? Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. The tile is then applied on the shower wall as usual, but the hole is left exposed so the retrofit shower niche can later be inserted into it. The outcropping will be cantilevered from the studs so I will take extra care supporting it. If you have yet to install your shower niche, make sure that there is a slight slope toward the shower so the water doesnt collect on the bottom. Depending on the degree of moisture, I may not insulate the existing wall so air can circulate between the shower wall and foundation wall. In wall directly under the shower head. When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. Call Us: (205) 640-2848 About; Services. Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. Without these options, youre probably better off installing a regular tiled niche using something like Schluter Kerdi SN. If your wife is absolutely against the idea of a shower niche on one of the inside walls, have you considered installing surface mounted shower shelves instead? 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. It will be a single 30 square niche. Understanding the most common problems, such as warping, poor installation, and mold and mildew buildup, is the first step in avoiding them. A steel beam would be great, but its not really necessary. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. The old-school traditional hand-fabricated shower niches have high chance of leaking problems Using construction adhesive in the joints around the header and installing blocking between the remaining stud bays, will also significantly increase the walls rigidity. This extra flexibility can be limited by installing a structural header over top of the niche opening. Steps for cleaning include removing any soap scum, dirt, or other debris from the surface of the niche, as well as wiping down the tiles and grout. I would suggest that you not use the foil wrap. This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another Redblock budget bathroom remodel post. The easiest option would be simply to install your shower niche below 3 feet. Plainly, it looks really bad and we would like to remove and retile the back of the niche. If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. In some cases, the shower niche may not be compatible with the materials used in the shower, leading to water infiltration and leaks. The perfect shower niche for your bathroom: an insight | homify The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. That goes for shower floor and wall tile but also stone shelves and ledges. We already completed a shower wall niche in our HOA-controlled townhouse in a shared wall. The sealer is super important to ensure you get a good bond between the old grout and the new caulking. Types of materials: When it comes to choosing materials for your shower niche, there are several options to consider. A properly sealed niche will prevent water from penetrating the walls and causing damage to the bathroom structure, as well as reduce the risk of mold, rot, and other forms of damage. 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 . They say it is not a problem but I disagree. Specify all sides and back of your niche. Slow Flushing Toilet? For example, ensuring that the niche is properly waterproofed with a high-quality waterproofing membrane, and that the niche backer board is compatible with the materials used in the shower. You should be able to easily find a large format natural stone or quartz composite tile, 3/8 to 1/2 thick. 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? Many clients tell me that they like the asymmetrical look and its very convenient to access. If there is no membrane, it could already be a problem. question about shower niche and placement of handshower/corner shelves 6 Shower Niche Problems And Solutions - bestplumbersclub.com 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. Ideally, extending the stud greater than 4 would have been best, but it is a really small powder room with a closet being converted to a shower and every inch counts. You know that this box should also be waterproofed correctly to prevent water from getting into your wall. Just a thought. We are new homeowners and the bathroom is our favorite room. Can I add a shower niche after my shower has been installed? This bathroom serves a bunk room that sleeps 8, hence wanting more storage. We cut into the firewall, which were nervous that the HOA will make us tear out and redo, but every unit has a cheap soapdish insert that penetrates their firewalls anyways. A Shower Niche Is an Absolute Must-Have in Your New Bathroom Each of these materials has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, including durability, resistance to water, ease of maintenance, and cost. We were initially looking at doing a horizontal niche but it is an exterior wall. We have a bathroom that is 64 wide, do you think that is too large to do a Horizontal Niche in the current wall? It is poorly installed, crooked, the tile is ugly, and the caulking/grouting is very messy. The encouraging thing about prefab foam niches is that it should never leak even if water pools at the base (unless its been damaged). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How to apply sealant: Applying sealant to the shower niche is a straightforward process that can be done by most homeowners. You should also take into account the overall style and design of your bathroom when choosing the size and style of your shower niche. That would be a lot worse than pooling water. In my opinion, all niches should bond with the shower wall waterproofing membrane whether theyre finished stainless steel or prefab tiled. In some cases, it may be possible to sand down and re-shape the niche. In this article, well take a look at the various types of shower heads and discuss the, Your email address will not be published. Learn 9 reasons you shouldn't build a tile shower, and better alternatives to cut your costs and eliminate worries about mold or leaking. 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. 9 Reasons You Shouldn't Build a Tile Shower The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. 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. With 26 exterior wall framing, theres always a bit of room for some insulation behind a typical shower niche install. There are some great corner shelves available. Its really not worth the risk. If the sealant is compromised here, water could recede into gaps with nowhere to drain. It would also be important for you to remove the vapor retarder plastic sheet in this wall. layer of mortar in the bot-tom of the niche, and use a level to make sure it has a slight pitch. Will it work?! In regards to the insulation question we dont have the option of building a secondary wall so were thinking of lining the area where the niche will go with the thin foil bubble wrap type insulation (Reflectix). Does that sound sensible to you? A standard 8 wood header would do the job as long as its assembled and installed properly. I did a bit more research and I have seen some people do it this way (I guess the old fashion way??) Ive attached photos. 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. The box he bought is usually made to tile over (based on research I just did) afterwards. Only a small temperature differential can cause the moisture in this shower wall to condense on the inside of the wall. Regardless of the results, I would install another stud wall adjacent to your existing wall and insulate this wall. This would be a VERY difficult procedure even for the most skilled tile installer, and it would really only be possible with ceramic tile. Thank you for the advice! It seems like you also felt some pride and satisfaction from your accomplishment as you should. Thank you for your comment and Congrats on your new home! Simply use a paint brush and dip it in the grout sealant, then apply it to the lines. One possibility is that the grout or caulking around the niche isn't properly sealed. You want to install the shower niche before you install your backer board for your shower if possible. To be frank, it sounds like this guy doesnt know what hes doing. 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. I think it would be reasonable for you to ask them to replace the frameless glass panel and door if it bothers you. 3 Major shower niche problems 1. It is important to make sure that any cleaning products used in the shower niche are tile-friendly, as some cleaners can damage the surface of the tiles or cause discoloration. The standard depth of a shower niche is 3.5 inches, the width of a wood stud. You can refer to our mounting directions to get more details if you like, or you can email me at [emailprotected]. I live in Northern California (near Sacramento) where temps are 40-102 degrees. slope over 3 in. Worth It? Installing a Shower Niche - Fine Homebuilding If your new horizontal niche will span more than a couple of wall studs, the safest way to build your shower niche into this wall is to construct a new wall adjacent to it, to contain the niche. This may not be considered a BIG shower niche install mistake but as a shower remodel contractor I hear a lot of people express regret about choosing the wrong shelf option for their tiled niche. Shower wall panel installation problems solved with custom trim I am not sure I understand exactly what you are describing, but it sounds like your contractor is creating a waterproof recess out of hydroban board to accommodate the niche. In addition, it is important to follow proper shower niche installation procedures, including preparing the shower wall cavity, using high-quality materials, and ensuring that the niche is properly sealed and using a waterproofing membrane. The temperature variation between inside and outside is large enough to cause condensation behind your niche if any moisture makes it behind your niche. If you decide to install a pre-manufactured, or finished shower niche instead of a custom built one, you can avoid another shower niche install mistake by making sure that you never install a retrofit shower niche. Thirdly, I would insulate with spray foam if possible. Causes of poor installation can include using substandard materials, insufficient preparation of the shower wall, and failure to follow proper waterproofing membrane installation procedures. Provided you placed and cut everything correctly the inside edges of your niche should be about 1/8 outside your grout lines. I have installed this niche a few times and it seems like a solid product. Hey there 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. The membrane bonding flange mounts on the backer board surface with screws, and the waterproofing membrane is attached to the top surface of this flange (as seen in the above image). Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? As long as the water spray doesn't go directly at it, it doesn't really matter where it is if the tile job was properly done. There are more cuts and outside edges on a shower niche. wedi Shower Niche 16 in. A walk-in shower can be a great addition to your bathroom, offering a stylish, spacious and low maintenance alternative to traditional shower enclosures. Shower head and three niches. 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. Do you see any problem doing this? I spent 3 months doing the project, three different kinds of marble two fans (to exhaust better as she like it hot and uses lots of product). DIY Renovation Project: How To Build a Recessed Shower Shelf Yes, you can put a shower niche under the shower head. If you have a 2x6 stud wall there will be some room behind the niche. 2) for the niche, he will set up later after he start installing the tile from the bottom, so he can know where the niche goes and make it looks better with the tile. Some of the most popular and highly recommended materials for shower niches include ceramic tile, porcelain tile, acrylic, and stone. 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. It may seem like a slightly easier way of installing a shower niche, but its not really much easier than the membrane bonding finished shower niche products out there, and it violates the industries recommended best practices.
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