shower niche problems
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. We wish we would have gone with an Onyx shower surround. 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. Wedi has a niche with the inside measurement of 13 X . However, problems can arise if not properly installed, maintained, and protected. 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. Any ideas on how this might work best? If anything they are more tilted to back which is even worse. Another BIG one among shower niche install mistakes, is the construction of a custom horizontal tiled niche that compromises the structural integrity of the shower wall. Shower Ledges vs Niches: Which Option is Right for You? No tiler we asked will put in a niche into the shower. In other wordswhen the people at UL gave you their opinion, they may have assumed that the tile substrate was fire rated drywall, not foam backer board. Thank you for the advice! Required fields are marked *. I know that this is probably not what you wanted to hear (sorry about that), but I wanted you to know what youre getting into when you mess with an old shower wall. A bead of silicon around its perimeter completes the installation. Learn 9 reasons you shouldn't build a tile shower, and better alternatives to cut your costs and eliminate worries about mold or leaking. The only difference is that if you install a thinner panel like the acrylic type, the perimeter flange will protrude a little from the finished acrylic wall surface. It is an exterior wall to a garage that is insulated. Up Your Shower Game: 7 High-Pressure Shower Head Benefits, What Is a Rain Shower Head? How To Increase Your Toilet Flush Performance And Power. Your email address will not be published. 3) he recommend us a 1/32 grout size for a 12*24 rectified tile for easy to clean it although the manufacturer recommends 1/8. The wall behind is subway tile, and another accent tile to the left. Some materials, such as stone and metal, are naturally more resistant to water than others. Worth It? The temperature variation between inside and outside is large enough to cause condensation behind your niche if any moisture makes it behind your niche. They had framed one out but not structurally so after reading this and showing this to my contractor we are re-doing a small niche within existing framing to be safe. Your email address will not be published. Hence 42-60 inches (elbow to the eye) is the preferred shower niche height for homeowners. We are worried someone might decide to drill through it to hang something on the wall behind. Repair options: If the grout line cracking is already leaking, there are several repair options available. 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. 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. The removal of studs in a non bearing wall really just increases the flexibility of the wall. It will be a single 30 square niche. Steve, great article! I think we will eventually be replacing all the tile because of this, but right now my biggest concern is the tile niche in our guest bathroom. 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. If you can get foam behind it, professionally installed spray foam would be best. Tile Ready brand products by Tile Redi: shower pans and shower bases, recessed niches, shower benches, shaving ledges, and decorative shelf kits. Even without a shower niche, this can easily occur within a 3 1/2 stud wall in the colder months, especially if theres no waterproofing membrane on the shower wall. If there is a problem behind the niche (or the niche is mounted in an outside wall), I would only recommend that you fully remodel your shower so that a waterproofing membrane can be installed with a properly sealed niche box. Theres nothing like the satisfaction of doing a job correctly! To patch the drywall is pretty easy if you look it up online. Im considering building a 24 x 24 niche, 6 deep (by pushing into the closet. Its accomplished with framing protocols to comply with your local codes. I am remodeling my master bath down to the studs. Will it help with moisture behind the niche? As such its very convenient to install the niche in this area because its in easy reach. I am not a big fan of most PVC (plastic) tilable shower niches. This would be relatively safe but not ideal. You definitely need to do something about these problems areas to reduce the chance of moisture getting behind the tile. 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. 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. 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. 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. Acrylic tiles are a popular material for walk-in showers due to their durability and ease of cleaning. The niches were not built with the proper tilt to drain forward. Steps for cleaning: Regular cleaning is an important part of maintaining the appearance and functionality of your shower 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. Each of these materials has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, including durability, resistance to water, ease of maintenance, and cost. 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). Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The 5 Signs of a Bad Toilet: How Long Do They Last? 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. If the sealant is compromised here, water could recede into gaps with nowhere to drain. my contractor just bought a shower niche (link below) and wanted to leave it as is. 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. And again, your tile installer would probably be happy to cut & polish the edges for your niche. Your email address will not be published. It doesnt take a waterproofing expert to see that this tiny silicon bead is the only defence against water running into the wall cavity. Hey there Upvotes: 1,655. Super helpful post! Without these options, youre probably better off installing a regular tiled niche using something like Schluter Kerdi SN. Any advice would be appreciated. These alternatives may be a good choice for renters or for those who do not want to modify the structure of their shower. In some cases, it may be possible to sand down and re-shape the niche. Do you see any problem doing this? 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. A modern, practical, versatile, and easy-to-install recessed shower storage shelf or niche for your bathroom or wetroom. Mix the grout with Grout Boost and use a small grout float to push the grout into the spaces around the tile. Also, it is not necessary to insert a single niche divided into shelves; one may have more than one niche in the shower. Whether you or your contractor uses a liquid or sheet style waterproofing membrane, it does not matter, as long as you dont skip this important step during your next shower remodel! Sorry I couldnt come up with an easier solution. 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? A retrofit niche is a product that is installed in the process of a new shower remodel project after the shower wall tile has already been installed and grouted. 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. Do you tile directly on these? The work was done by a licensed tile company who does impeccable work. It would also be important for you to remove the vapor retarder plastic sheet in this wall. The long shower wall backs a walk in closet. However, many people complain that glass shelves are hard to keep clean and soap slips off too easily. The safest way to get a good deal on scraps is to buy them as is, and get your tile installer to cut it. 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. 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. If the shower wall is brick, it is likely an outside wall. My husband thinks we should have a piece of sheet metal cut and installed. The problem is that the shower environment is a very moist one, and some of this moisture will always make it into the stud cavity through the wall tile, your tile backer board, and often through your tiled shower niche. Whether you are bathroom remodeling, building a new home, or simply upgrading your current shower, there are many reasons why it is a perfect solution. They also left some of the spacers in and grouted over them. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. 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. That would make things a lot easier. Additionally, cleaning the niche with a mildew-resistant cleaner can help to keep it free of mold and mildew. What are some alternatives to a shower niche? September 13, 2017 Raise your hand if your morning routine involves navigating around shampoo bottles perched precariously on the tub ledge, body wash and conditioner piled in a corner, or the sad. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. 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. It will be on an inside 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. They say it is not a problem but I disagree. 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. So you saved us potential issues down the road. How to apply sealant: Applying sealant to the shower niche is a straightforward process that can be done by most homeowners. One thing to keep in mind, however is that it will be right in the splash zone from the shower head. 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). But I would be grateful if you could let me know what would be the best way to do this? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These shelves are so popular because theyre subtle, modern looking, and considered attractive by most. And please let me know if you have anymore questions. 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. All brick wall. Chances are that you will damage the waterproofing membrane (if there is one) or damage the backer board (might even be gypsum wallboard). 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. The problem is that the hole is there ready for the niche but all the tiles have been put down already around it. That would be a lot worse than pooling water. This process should be performed by a professional contractor or plumber. Will that look ugly? Use a niche that is longer to give you more height for your items. This is the issue. . Can I add a shower niche after my shower has been installed? The problem with one niche is that when we examined it it wasn't properly built. . This will improve the R-value behind the niche and reduce the chance of moisture reaching the niche. Without a waterproofing membrane, this movement almost always causes grout line cracking in your shower niche. The extra 2 cantilever shouldnt be a problem as long as its supported fully underneath. A shower shampoo niche can be vertically or horizontally elongated and accordingly, the number of shelves can be arrived upon. This is Steve from SKG Renovations with a few tips you must know to avoid the 5 BIG shower niche install mistakes during your next shower remodel. 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. There are gaps in the corner that would clearly lead to water leaking into the walls or at the least have moisture exposure. Because this niche is designed to be installed after tiling, the silicon bead become the only thing keeping moisture out of the stud wall. And if we wanted to block it up, what materials ways should this been done to ensure the integrity is restored? x 22 in., Includes Adjustable Shelf. We will be using Laticrete Hydroban board to waterproof the shower including the niche cavity. Super solid, super rigid, and super safe, because the original wall structure remains completely intact. 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. There are more cuts and outside edges on a shower niche. You know that this box should also be waterproofed correctly to prevent water from getting into your wall. I would be more concerned with the use of Kerdi Board to replace the 5/8 drywall of your shower wall. I think its great that you use rigid foam to insulate behind the niche because of its high R value. My suggestion would simply be to install a tall vertical niche (with shelves) on the wall opposite the valve wall. Thanks for your comment! Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. Click here for my full Personal / Professional Disclosure. Is Drano Ok? slope over 3 in. Just rememberFRAME it like a window and waterproof! Its a rock solid installation with hydroban vapor and waterproofing barriers. Only a small temperature differential can cause the moisture in this shower wall to condense on the inside of the wall. To be sure, you really should consult a local contractor familiar with the insulation and vapour control requirements in your area. One of the vertical 24 studs was cut and framed into a horizontal rectangle to the two adjacent studs, and it did not seem to be load bearing wall, and the framing was properly reinforced. You need a membrane with a very low perm rating like the Durock sheet membrane or Wedi Subliner Dry. The trim is called Quadec by Schluter Systems. The back of the niche tile is what we would like to remove, the sides and border tiles are fine. When a custom niche is built well, it can look very sturdy, solid and deceptively waterproof. Or, can I go my original route (diy niche with permabase) and install a longer (depth) niche shelf so my wifes bigger shampoo bottles will fit BUT also have a 2 cavity behind the niche to apply foam or insulation? Then tile and grout! If so, youre likely considering a steam shower. For most shower niches, a regular cleaning every 1-2 months is recommended, with more frequent cleaning as needed. You can place them beside each other horizontally or vertically on the back wall. Really appreciate the info on the structural issues with long niches. One solution is to frame the niche. 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). 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. 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. If the only barrier to water getting behind the tiles is a strip of caulking, then eventually, you could have problems. If this happens, you will make things a lot worse than they already are. This is usually done by cutting a recessed area into the existing shower wall and installing a niche insert or lining. The sealer is super important to ensure you get a good bond between the old grout and the new caulking. Because standard wood and metal framing materials are not great to use in niche construction, might I suggest that you instead construct it out of Kerdi Board or some other brand of foam board? 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. In fact I thought it was so great that I decided to design one to meet my clients needs. 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)? The bathroom wall is 5 long, and once you get past that, you are in an unfinished space next door. 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. 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. Another alternative is the glass shelf. last year. By understanding the, Are you looking for a luxurious way to unwind after a long day? 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. nothing. I believe industry standard height is 44-48? A square or rectangular niche design has corners and crevices that can make it difficult to remove. Thirdly, I would insulate with spray foam if possible. There is a lot more I could say on this, but I think you get the picture . In our new shower, we built a knee wall in front of an exterior wall to put a shelf on. 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. Plainly, it looks really bad and we would like to remove and retile the back of the niche. 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. Even if the wall cavity that contains the niche is completely waterproofed, water may still get behind it with a single retrofit flange. Importance of proper installation: Proper installation is critical for ensuring that your shower niche functions properly and provides a safe and attractive space for bathing and showering. The rest you can imagine; moisture in the walls, which leads to mold, dry rot, etc.. Hi Steve, Great advice to everyone. A Complete Guide on Rain Shower Head Pros and Cons. Any suggestions would help me! Acrylic tiles are lightweight and easy to install, making them a popular choice for many homeowners. This is what I am assuming. Assuming this is correct, I would suggest that you install the shelf before the tile. A steel beam would be great, but its not really necessary. Use a grout removal tool to help with this and to remove any loose bits of grout. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The tile company that did the work used Kerdi-board backing and appropriately waterproofed everything prior to tile-setting. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. Frame it like a window! 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. This movement frequently leads to grout line cracking in the shower niche. Although this niche should be totally waterproof, I would also suggest that you apply a good quality waterproofing membrane to the interior of the niche when youre waterproofing the shower wall, just to be safe. The safest solution would be a sheet of plate steel behind the entire niche. Yes, our stainless steel recessed shower niches can be finished with any type of shower panel or shower board. 2023 Bathroomaholic - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. Thanks Steve for taking the time to reply ! This is Steve from SKG Renovations with another RedblockRead More How to Build a Custom Shower Niche Step by Step.