Bathroom tile question

red86yota

I think you really need to do some more research and tackle this project correctly yourself (hey this is a DIY site), or hire a real licensed contractor.

The "knowledgeable" person you had come out to take a look is dead wrong in his statement about mastic and thinset. Mastic does not belong in a shower. For one thing, mastic needs air to dry and with those big wall tiles, it's likely to take weeks to fully dry and that's before grout is installed. Then, once water makes it's way past the grout or through the tile, it will re-wet the mastic.

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure you can change the cartridges for the shower valve from inside the shower. Just take the trim off, and it should be readily accessible. But he's right in that you generally don't want plumbing in exterior walls due to freezing potential.

I hope you get this fixed right

red86yota

oh...another thing. He was probably having issues with the thinset because it appears he mixed it way too thin.

Termite

Agreed on the mastic...Mastic is a big no-no. Your person that came over was no expert. But on a positive note he at least agreed that there are some deficiencies.

The shower valve guts can be replaced without demolishing the tile or exterior siding. You just remove the handle to get at the guts. Total replacement or repair of a leaking connection would be a lot bigger deal. That being said, in colder climates it is widely accepted that it is just plain stupid to put plumbing in exterior walls unless there are not other options. Your fact that your original guy put them just further illustrates that he is an idiot.

The spacing between the tiles is certainly an issue if they can't be grouted, but that won't necessarily force a leak. Wait a minute...In your shower it would...In a properly waterproofed shower it wouldn't necessarily be catastrophic (albeit bad). Grout is not waterproof, remember?

aumanpj

Please don't think this person seeing my shower claimed to be a shower installer. Actually, he specializes in kitchen cabinet installations. He will be part of my extended family when I get married and he was willing to come by to look. I was expecting a professional shower installer to come by at 5pm but he had to reschedule to today at 4:30. Bud, were you able too find anyone to recommend?

Thank you for the information on mastic. From what I've read in the recent replies to my post, properly mixed thin set should allow a tile installer to do all walls in one day - not one row a day. As much as I might like to do this work myself, it's just not going to happen. I'm struggling to find sufficient time in the day to meet but half of my responsibilities. Caffeine intake is through the roof.

Bud Cline

There have been two responses so far but no luck finding someone in your area that any of us know.

I will agree that use of mastic is not the thing to do.

I can also tell you that all shower valve assemblies can be maintained from the shower side of the valve.

Common sense locates plumbing inside interior walls as a matter of practice in cold climates but that doesn't mean it isn't done in exterior walls for one good reason or another.

It isn't unusual for tiles to slide when using thinset, this is why tiles are stacked on tile spacers and starting ledgers. There are non-sag thinsets available but they cost more than everyday thinset. Using a properly-mixed thinset DOES NOT mean the guy could have done the entire shower in one day. To install only "one row a day" (if that's what was happening) is ridiculous.

aumanpj

Hi Bud,

With two responses does that suggest more may be coming and I should remain hopeful for a referral, or... is this avenue now exhausted?

Indeed, he has installed one row of tiles each day. I think it may be an excuse for not working a full day each day. The tile spacers and starting ledgers he used were ripped peices of card board. Maybe that could explain some of the sliding?

Given what you've seen in my photos, what time frame is reasonable for the average professional to complete this shower? I'm looking for a time estimate for a redo... so there must be time for tearing things out... etc.

Thank you...
P.S. So... I take it no conversations about how much this should cost to redo - even in Private Message mode.

Bud Cline

I contacted two pro installers I know in the northeast. One is too far from you to know anyone in your area. The other (Bill Vincent) has posted his comments here.

Can't answer that! Time frames are a function of the actual installer.

No good can come from asking for estimates over the Internet. You can't depend on those estimates and the numbers will not be reliable. There are no "set costs" within the industry for any phase of a tile installation. Your estimate should come from locals that have potential of performing the work for you.