shower niche problems

Why not just mount them directly adjacent to where you were planning to mount them (vertical mounting on the back wall, a few inches from the corner)? This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another RedblockRead More How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step. 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. 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. After a shower wall is tiled, its too risky to attempt to repair or re-build a shower niche at this point. Thank you for your comment, and Im sorry to hear about your troubles with your niche install. Let us know! Theres nothing like the satisfaction of doing a job correctly! I speak english and french so translating it directly I believe he said an L-angle edging trim ? Use a niche that is longer to give you more height for your items. I am not a big fan of most PVC (plastic) tilable shower niches. Their angled screws into marble caused the front edge of the hinge to pull away (walk back from the tile face). Is it okay (or preferable) to install the shelf itself last, or should we install the shelf prior to tiling the surrounding walls? I think its great that you use rigid foam to insulate behind the niche because of its high R value. Tips for proper installation: To ensure proper installation of your shower niche, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced tile installer who is familiar with the tile shower niche materials and techniques required for a successful installation. My wife had an idea of keeping the longer side wall niche-free for aesthetics. Its accomplished with framing protocols to comply with your local codes. Talk to your contractor about it, because its extremely important that you avoid this huge shower niche install mistake. You should also make sure the shelf is sloped slightly outwards. Thank you! I know its frustrating to see but I think youre stuck with it unfortunately. Because this niche is designed to be installed after tiling, the silicon bead become the only thing keeping moisture out of the stud wall. We had a niche installed (3-1/4 inches, 4 with the listello) in an outside wall of a shower. Thanks Jay. We also ran lighting by philips Hue strips in the niche. If you need help with shower niche placement and design feel free to check out my Shower Niche Planning, and 9 Great New Shower Shelf Options posts. One of the biggest decisions youll face is choosing between a tub or shower. They say it is not a problem but I disagree. Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to a Shower? Most decent contractors will say that applying the correct structural framing around the niche will adequately fortify the structure. In fact I thought it was so great that I decided to design one to meet my clients needs. 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 this happens, it could eventually cause mold growth or tile delamination even if water doesnt get into the wall cavity. Step 2. The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. Our contractor installed a shower niche and tiled the wall and niche however my husband doesnt like the finished product as there is. wedi. Acrylic is a type of plastic material that is known for its resistance to water, mold, and mildew, making it an ideal choice for use in wet environments such as bathrooms. 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. 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. 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. This may be problematic with porcelain but is rarely an issue with stone. The bids that we have are from companies that specialize in grout repair. The Truth About Shower Water, Our Guide to the 14 Types of Shower Heads: How To Choose, Shower Tech Showdown: Smart Showers vs Digital Showers, The 8 Surprising Shower Filter Benefits for Skin Hair & Health. 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. Stucco exterior. By understanding the, Are you looking for a luxurious way to unwind after a long day? 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. I trim around it Is it too late to add some type of trim now ? 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. We are having a shower head with diverted valve for a separate shower wand installed which is limiting the location of the niche on the wall with the shower head and I am not a fan of placing the niche along the back wall in direct line of the shower spray. The cracks often start as fine lines at the corners, which may not be immediately noticeable. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Chances are that you will destroy the niche in the process. Required fields are marked *. If the shower wall is brick, it is likely an outside wall. 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. Additionally, cleaning the niche with a mildew-resistant cleaner can help to keep it free of mold and mildew. However, you should pay attention to any cracks that may have occurred within the vertical grout lines above the H tub/tile margin. Will it work?! See more info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. This is what the shower shelf will look like with ceramic tile installed on the back wall and . Steam showers have been praised for their many benefits, including relaxation, stress relief, improved circulation, and respiratory health. How do I choose the right size and style for my shower niche? If Im understanding your situation correctly, there are a few problems with this installation, needless to say. 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. Hi Steve 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. I have chosen to avoid the uncoated plastic niches in my installations simply because of the mortar bonding problems they seem to have. 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). The chance of anybody screwing something into the wall below 3 feet are very low. Maybe you should read over my Shower waterproofing post to find out more about waterproofing a shower niche. I asked the clothes if they mind, they dont care). Types of sealants: There are several different types of sealants available for use in shower niches, including silicone, epoxy, and polyurethane. These shelves are so popular because theyre subtle, modern looking, and considered attractive by most. 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. I would also suggest installing an extremely good sheet waterproofing membrane. Received 672 Upvotes on 595 Posts. 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. They left it open meaning I can see through from the outside/inside of the shower and when getting down and looking at the quartz/tile junction. Sorry I didnt get back to you sooner. Seal the grout (and the voids) thoroughly with a grout sealer like Sealers Choice Gold. Are you tired of constantly replacing your old shower curtain or cleaning your shower door? Built with the exact same tile as the rest of the shower surround, so it almost disappears when empty. I am an engineer and have never heard such a thing. 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. 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? Best to get rid of it. 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. You can also check out my Shower Niche Guide if youd like to see an example of a tiled niche and the tile edge trim that your contractor was likely referring to. It could certainly cause a problem in the long run even if you have a waterproofing membrane beneath the tile. We are doing an accessible shower for my son but the bathroom will also be used by guests who come to visit. Will Your Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself? Hello again. Hi Steve 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. There are some great corner shelves available. 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. Then, the sealant can be applied using a caulking gun or another appropriate application tool. Because the Schluter prefabricated shower niche is made of foam board, I would not recommend pulling the tile. The Top 4 Shower Niche Problems to Watch Out For. This will reduce the amount of water vapor entering the wall to the bare minimum. Im a tile contractor. Types of materials: When it comes to choosing materials for your shower niche, there are several options to consider. Pros and Cons of Frameless Shower Doors: Worth It? The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Not the other way around. As such its very convenient to install the niche in this area because its in easy reach. Although not a great solution, your only other choice might be to install a retrofit niche with and overlap flange (as long as the whole is exactly the right size, that is). And again, your tile installer would probably be happy to cut & polish the edges for your niche. A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. Obviously, you are going to cut out where the shelf and niche go in the wall tile (unless you are using these new metal shelves from Schluter ). But when shower niche problems arise, it can be frustrating and even damaging to your bathroom. Any ideas on how this might work best? Use a grout removal tool to help with this and to remove any loose bits of grout. If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Simply use a paint brush and dip it in the grout sealant, then apply it to the lines. Consider the height and location of the niche within the shower, as well as the items you will be storing in the niche. Provided you placed and cut everything correctly the inside edges of your niche should be about 1/8 outside your grout lines. That would be a lot worse than pooling water. 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? 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. The problem is that there is still only one layer of adhesive that keeps water from getting behind the niche regardless when its mounted. Thank you for your comment! I would suggest that you not use the foil wrap. Also, it is not necessary to insert a single niche divided into shelves; one may have more than one niche in the shower. The outcropping will be cantilevered from the studs so I will take extra care supporting it. Needless to say, there is a complex series of factors to consider like stud wall thickness, local climate, waterproof integrity of your shower, and the quality and thickness of the wall insulation. Just make sure you seal the grout well so you can more easily clean off any mold and soap scum that may collect. Your email address will not be published. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! Framed vs Frameless: The Great Shower Door Debate. 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. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). More info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. Modern construction at its best. But it really has to do with the thickness of your outside wall. The inside of the niche measurements are 12" x 20" (305 mm x 508 mm) and 12" x 28" (305 mm x 711 mm). Thirdly, I would insulate with spray foam if possible. Baking soda is a gentle, abrasive cleaner that can be used to remove tough stains and soap scum buildup from shower niche tile. The 5 Signs of a Bad Toilet: How Long Do They Last? 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. The most important part of this project will be your undertile waterproofing. The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. 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. Thanks so much for the helpful article. The constant buildup of mildew and mold can not only be unsightly but also pose a health hazard. Repair options: If the grout line cracking is already leaking, there are several repair options available. The more accurately the new header, jack, king and cripple studs are cut and attached, the less flexible this wall will be. 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). The extra 2 cantilever shouldnt be a problem as long as its supported fully underneath. 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. Sorry for all my rambling but this is important stuff. 2) Our contractor told us he plans to prep the hole for the niche, install the ceramic tiles, then as a last step, apply the niche on top and finish with a bead of silicon to waterproof it. Run a 28 or 210 header, king stud jack stud, ledger and cripples. 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 sorry to say that it would be extremely difficult to add tile edge trim around the niche perimeter after the shower wall and niche are already tiled. Installing porcelain tile on the shower wall instead of ceramic with a sealed grout like Mapei Flexcolor CQ, will also greatly reduce vapor transmission into the wall. But if it's too late, not a big deal. They said its too difficult to do . You may be thinking that a leak like this seems unlikely if the niche is properly tiled & grouted after construction, and you would be right for awhile. How To Increase Your Toilet Flush Performance And Power. 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). You are correct that it is designed to be a tile ready niche, not a finished niche. This bathroom serves a bunk room that sleeps 8, hence wanting more storage. Its time to take control of the situation and restore your shower to its former glory. How can we tell if there is a problem behind this niche? I am not surprised about the $1,200 quote. Im assuming that the edges of the tile are exposed around the perimeter of the shower niche. Depending on the cause of the leak, the repair may involve replacing the niche, applying a new coat of waterproofing sealant for a waterproof shower niche, or re-tiling the niche. I looked at the niche in the link you provided. The shower niche inserts generally come 16" wide so they fit directly between your wall studs, which are spaced out 16 on center. I live in Northern California (near Sacramento) where temps are 40-102 degrees. 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 . And please let me know if you have anymore questions. We already completed a shower wall niche in our HOA-controlled townhouse in a shared wall. You need a membrane with a very low perm rating like the Durock sheet membrane or Wedi Subliner Dry. This can cause mold to grow here which is not disastrous but it doesnt look very nice. Does this design sound OK? It is difficult to install a waterproof membrane after the fact. Most electrical & plumbing codes accept 16 gauge steel (1/16) for protection plates, so thats what I would suggest. Your email address will not be published. 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). The shower will be 4 6 x 6, with the 6 wall being the exterior wall. Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. Thank you for so many informative articles, your website is very helpful! Check out our Privacy Policy for more info. However, to get the most out of the steam shower experience, its important to select the, Are you tired of dealing with a dirty and dingy walk-in shower? 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 The wall behind is subway tile, and another accent tile to the left. 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. We are new homeowners and the bathroom is our favorite room. Is Drano Ok? 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. I would suggest that you pack loose insulation around the niche and behind it. 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. I believe industry standard height is 44-48? Depth of a Shower Niche. My husband thinks we should have a piece of sheet metal cut and installed. Even if water does end up in the niche, you shouldnt be concerned as long as you trust your contractor to construct and waterproof it correctly. It will also be difficult to get these tiles off without breaking them so you need some spares that you can use as replacements. This post is for information purposes only and should NOT be interpreted as professional advice. Thanks for your comment! what about a niche the full length of a 5 foot shower. It will be a single 30 square niche. 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. Just a thought. In addition to cleaning, it is important to inspect the shower niche regularly for any signs of damage or other issues, and address them promptly to maintain the functionality and appearance of the niche over time. Niches ought to not be against exterior walls if possible in cold climates. There is a way to install these shower niches correctly and safely, but unfortunately many contractors fail to accomplish this. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber. 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? If youve not yet committed to a shower niche, check out my Complete Shower Niche Guide. 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? 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. With 26 exterior wall framing, theres always a bit of room for some insulation behind a typical shower niche install. The general rule is to install the horizontal finished surfaces in the shower before the vertical. After the boards perimeter is patched, taped and sealed, they will need to apply a new piece of waterproofing membrane to cover the patch. These environmental stresses cause all parts of the shower assembly to move slightly, mostly through expansion and contraction. These options offer similar storage and organizational benefits to a shower niche but do not require cutting into the shower wall.Shower caddies and baskets can be hung from the showerhead or shower rod, while shower shelves can be installed on the wall using brackets or adhesive. Yes, it is possible to add a shower niche to an existing shower. 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. There also needs to be an adequate waterproofing membrane beneath the tile layer to limit moisture transmission into this wall. 1/2 thick) acrylic solid surfacing materials? These flanges are critically important to maintain the integrity of the shower wall waterproofing membrane. In wall directly under the shower head. I recently remodelled my wifes retreat bath using a Schluter pre-fabricated niche and it saved so much time and hassle. Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. 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. 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. Plainly, it looks really bad and we would like to remove and retile the back of the niche. In addition, regular cleaning can help to extend the lifespan of the niche, as it prevents water damage and other problems that can result from accumulated dirt and debris. This sheet will only provide a condensation surface for moisture. When tiling a shower niche, you will have a ninety-degree outside corner where your shower wall meets the niche. If you have a steam shower that you love to spend time in then having a shower niche is a wonderful addition, for example. Hi we're Denise and Tony! Beautiful bathrooms begin here! Please leave a comment below if youd like to ask any specific questions about shower niche installation. Whether youre looking to increase accessibility, save space, or simply, Having the right shower head can make all the difference when it comes to taking a shower. You can refer to our mounting directions to get more details if you like, or you can email me at [emailprotected].

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