shower niche problems

The other niche shown is a tilable foam shower niche that has a 1/2 thick foam perimeter flange that also serves as a mounting flange and a membrane bonding flange similar to the stainless steel niche. Without these options, youre probably better off installing a regular tiled niche using something like Schluter Kerdi SN. If this happens, it could eventually cause mold growth or tile delamination even if water doesnt get into the wall cavity. Thanks Steve for taking the time to reply ! My wife had an idea of keeping the longer side wall niche-free for aesthetics. It depends a lot on how cold it gets in the garage but even if it doesnt reach freezing temperature, moisture could still easily condense in the stud cavity. A square or rectangular niche design has corners and crevices that can make it difficult to remove. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. The beginning of your comment is a bit cryptic but I think I understand what you are asking. It seems like you also felt some pride and satisfaction from your accomplishment as you should. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. I aim for a 18-in. 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. 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. Proper ventilation and climate control, such as using a dehumidifier or ensuring that the bathroom has adequate ventilation, can also help to reduce the risk of warping. Steve, I originally planned to put two of the N1014 stainless niches stacked vertically a few inches apart on the rear wall of a tub shower combo (opposite the shower head). You should also make sure the shelf is sloped slightly outwards. There are some great corner shelves available. It is possible to find a trim with no anchoring leg but that would mean that the tile would have to be cut away at the corner to make room for this trim piece. Just a thought. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. Just to be clear its the type of niche that you have chosen to install thats likely the problem, not your contractors installation strategy. Thank you for so many informative articles, your website is very helpful! Hello again. The removal of studs in a non bearing wall really just increases the flexibility of the wall. You need a membrane with a very low perm rating like the Durock sheet membrane or Wedi Subliner Dry. The first niche shown is a finished shower niche. You can read more about this in my waterproofing post. Any ideas on how this might work best? Its was a perfect job except when the frameless glass was installed, the installers drilled the glass for the towel bar and handle at a whopping 56 above the ground. This bathroom serves a bunk room that sleeps 8, hence wanting more storage. They claim 56 height is industry standard. I am an engineer and have never heard such a thing. Its a non-load bearing wall but there is a floor above, I found your article great as it talked about considering other issues, not just weight from above. Does this change things or is the condensation problem still an issue regardless? Specify all sides and back of your niche. This post is for information purposes only and should NOT be interpreted as professional advice. Preventive measures: To prevent warping in your shower niche, it is important to use high-quality materials and take steps to reduce exposure to moisture and water. You didnt mention how much of your 64 wall will be occupied by the proposed horizontal niche, but as long as there is room for a narrow stud bay on each side of the header (around 6- 10 each side), you should be OK. My suggestion would simply be to install a tall vertical niche (with shelves) on the wall opposite the valve wall. Here is a link to my shower waterproofing post if you would like to read more on the topic. If a smaller sheet (perhaps remnant) could be purchased of 1/2 thick solid surfacing material in a color very similar to the shower wall tile, wouldnt a good tile setter be able to cut that to create the niche box (sides, bottom, top, shelf)? Im assuming from your description that your contractor did not do this, but if he installed the back framing I described above, the niche could still be attached, the gap sealed, and a strip of waterproofing membrane applied. I have never seen any fire rating on any foam backer board. 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. This will reduce the amount of water vapor entering the wall to the bare minimum. A standard 8 wood header would do the job as long as its assembled and installed properly. This is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . 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. Some materials, such as stone and metal, are naturally more resistant to water than others. 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. 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 Two Heads Better Than One: Are His and Hers Showers Worth It? Acrylic tiles are a popular material for walk-in showers due to their durability and ease of cleaning. However, I just realized that is an exterior wall in our bay front home in Florida. All these foam and plastic niches can distort if not fully supported. I would suggest that you apply a VERY GOOD sheet waterproofing membrane, not a liquid membrane. The work doesnt seem to compromise the structural integrity of the wall (the work all remained on our side of the shared wall), and it seems appropriately fireproofed and waterproofed. The causes of this issue can range from improper installation, poor waterproofing, or wear and tear over time. 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. Thank you for your comment. OUR GURANTEE - 100% waterproof and leak-proof guaranteed. 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. 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. These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. The buildup of moisture in the niche can create an ideal perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew, leading to unsightly stains and unpleasant odors. Hello Steve, #1. Provided you placed and cut everything correctly the inside edges of your niche should be about 1/8 outside your grout lines. Thank you for the advice! 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. Firstly As you can see by the screw holes around its perimeter, this niche is designed to be screwed into framing members that your contractor should have installed prior to installing the tile backer board (the board that the tiles are attached to). These environmental factors result in slight movement of the shower niche tile, primarily due to expansion and contraction. The wall behind is subway tile, and another accent tile to the left. These environmental stresses cause all parts of the shower assembly to move slightly, mostly through expansion and contraction. If Im understanding your situation correctly, there are a few problems with this installation, needless to say. When designing a niche; however, there are some important details to consider. Your best bet it to remove some tile around the niche, open the wall, remove the niche, install some new bracing between the studs, insert insulation to re-fill the niche cavity, then patch the hole with a new piece of backer board (attached to the new bracing). If you said no, you would be correct. I am not too concerned about cutting out 1 wall stud to accommodate your shower niche, as long as the appropriate structure was installed to reinforce the wall and support the niche. They said its too difficult to do . 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? 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. Some stone fabricators may help you out with a couple of easy cuts, but as soon as its perceived as a job, they will want to be paid well for it. I find it looks really cheap and asked him if we can find another solution. If youre considering building / installing a niche in your new shower remodel project, you have likely seen many examples of this type of niche. Hi I have a new build ( 2 years old). Even if it is not, I would still suggest the same solution (below). Shower head and three niches. Does this design sound OK? One of the biggest decisions youll face is choosing between a tub or shower. Hi we're Denise and Tony! Tile Ready brand products by Tile Redi: shower pans and shower bases, recessed niches, shower benches, shaving ledges, and decorative shelf kits. 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. A good grout sealer will help reduce this problem (Sealers Choice Gold by Custom Building Products). One solution is to frame the niche. 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. I suggest that you please re-read that section of my 5BSNIM post so you are aware of the risks, and the additional structure required for this type of installation. 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. Yes, but also no, Shower Water Pressure Low? No tiler we asked will put in a niche into the shower. Im not sure I understand your situation exactly, but what matters most is the distance between the back of the niche and the outside wall sheeting. This includes ensuring proper ventilation in the bathroom, using waterproof materials, and cleaning the shower niche tile regularly. Most ceramic and porcelain tiles have glazing that gives the face of the tile a different sheen and sometimes a different color than the rest of the tile. In some cases, it may be possible to sand down and re-shape the niche. Wow! Acrylic tiles are lightweight and easy to install, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. 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. One piece, leak proof, tileable, easy-to-install. The temperature variation between inside and outside is large enough to cause condensation behind your niche if any moisture makes it behind your niche. The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. When you compare this price with the other alternative of this tool . Built-in shower niches are a stylish and stable way to handle bathroom storage issues and create a relaxing environment all at once! However, problems can arise if not properly installed, maintained, and protected. Unfortunately, Im not really qualified to say what your HOA may do in this situation. Can You Let It Sit? Leakage/Water damage There are a few things that can cause leakage and water damage in shower niches. Either way, cutting a horizontal swath out the structural members of this wall to make room for a niche is a problem. These shelves are so popular because theyre subtle, modern looking, and considered attractive by most. The last step is to seal grout lines. But, here, the con for the Wedi shower system is that it is a bit expensive. You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. This is the shower niche that we used in this bathroom. It could certainly cause a problem in the long run even if you have a waterproofing membrane beneath the tile. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! The EZ niche is PVC plastic so it has a relatively low permeability but the niche and rest of the wall assembly, will always transmit some moisture into the shower wall. Its mounting flange would then be flush with the backer board surface with a slight gap around which would be sealed and waterproofing membrane installed. We use hydro ban and laticrete sealant and water proofing. You can get a piece of galvanized steel cut at any sheet steel supplier or fabricator in your area. Wipe off any excess sealant. I am in the midwest (St. Louis) and planning a shower niche in a basement bathroom on an outside wall that is completely underground as well as having a 6 deep front porch beyond that so there will be no outside air hitting that wall at all. Otherwise, you can place your shower niches wherever you want. 1/2 thick) acrylic solid surfacing materials? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Is there anything that you can tell me that might ease my concerns about the HOA wanting to inspect our unit for any potential damage to shared walls which they said they have the right to do from time to time as written in the CC&R? 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. And if left for any length of time it might get moldy. Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to a Shower? 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. wedi Shower Niche 16 in. TIA! You can then insulate this wall and install your shower niche into it. 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. Id love if there are pictures to see the different options. Types of sealants: There are several different types of sealants available for use in shower niches, including silicone, epoxy, and polyurethane. When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. 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. Both walk-in shower vs tub have their unique benefits and drawbacks, but which one is right for you? Can these Niche shower boxs be finished with shower boards as oppose to tilling? This is what I am assuming. slope over 3 in. Most decent contractors will say that applying the correct structural framing around the niche will adequately fortify the structure. put up cement board and Regard to the ceiling. 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. something you can easily avoid. You want to install the shower niche before you install your backer board for your shower if possible. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. 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. We dont mind these. Hi Steve! If you can get foam behind it, professionally installed spray foam would be best. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Even in a mild climate like San Diego, you can get enough of a temperature differential for moisture to condense in the shower wall if you provide a surface upon which to condense. Only a small temperature differential can cause the moisture in this shower wall to condense on the inside of the wall. layer of mortar in the bot-tom of the niche, and use a level to make sure it has a slight pitch. 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. Have a really great DIY project or tutorial that you want to share with others? Corner shelves are easier to tile. We live in the Seattle area and so now Im thinking this is not our best option. The problem is that most trims have a flange or anchoring leg thats designed to be placed into the mortar beneath the edge tile. Upvotes: 1,655. The contractor brought up some of the issues with this in various projects. Follow the directions to make sure it dries thoroughly. Wedi has a niche with the inside measurement of 13 X . A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. The bathroom wall is 5 long, and once you get past that, you are in an unfinished space next door. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. Hi Steve The membrane would cover the niche mounting flange so no screws were visible. In addition, the use of low-quality materials or insufficient ventilation can also contribute to warping in tile shower niche. for pricing and availability. More info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide.

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