shower niche problems

3 Major shower niche problems 1. Foam board is not ideal because it is important to fill the entire cavity behind the niche with insulation (no voids). My question is about the installation of that shelf. If everything looks good behind the niche (no moisture or mold), then I would leave the niche alone until you do a full shower remodel. Besides this problem, the angle is terrible and things often slide off the shelf. Straight, flush screws are needed to keep the hinge from torquing the tile and screws. 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. Thanks Steve for taking the time to reply ! And please let me know if you have anymore questions. Hi Steve, we are in the process of renovating our two bathrooms and are planning to install a shower niche in each. 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? Have I got this right? 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. Because this niche is designed to be installed after tiling, the silicon bead become the only thing keeping moisture out of the stud wall. 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. Grouting this margin seems like a better idea to the average homeowner (and the novice pro) but this is always a bad idea because the tub and the shower wall assembly expand and contract at different rates so the grout will always crack and break away over time. And again, your tile installer would probably be happy to cut & polish the edges for your niche. The moisture permeability of your niche will vary greatly, depending on the type of shower niche you decide to build / install, and the waterproofing strategy, of course. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. The shower environment is harsh due to its constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures. 1) You mention that its NOT recommended to install it on an outside wall. I would have to agree with you. 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. Thirdly, I would insulate with spray foam if possible. 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. There is a lot more I could say on this, but I think you get the picture . This can allow water to seep in behind the tiles and cause damage. Just make sure you seal the grout well so you can more easily clean off any mold and soap scum that may collect. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 . 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. I usually discourage the layering of waterproofing products but in this case you need to do all you can to limit moisture transmission. Unfortunately, Im not really qualified to say what your HOA may do in this situation. More info on shower waterproofing: Shower Membrane Waterproofing The Definitive Guide. 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. I recently remodelled my wifes retreat bath using a Schluter pre-fabricated niche and it saved so much time and hassle. This bathroom serves a bunk room that sleeps 8, hence wanting more storage. The dazzling detail of our Herringbone Pearl White Thassos Shell Tile illuminates this shower wall and beautiful niche detail! 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)? This new wall allows you to build / install your custom shower niche with only minimal support above the new niche opening because the entire wall is anchored to the stud wall behind it. The miscalculated using measurement for a walk in shower I believe, rather than glass on tub. 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! Hi Steve, Great advice to everyone. 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. The only safe way to do this is to build a new wall adjacent to the brick wall. Stucco exterior. But it really has to do with the thickness of your outside wall. If Im understanding you correctly, it is a very typical alcove style shower with a 6 back wall (outside wall) and two 46 side walls, one of which is the valve wall. With thinset beneath the tile inside the niche it should line up perfectly. Nothing is safer that the parallel wall design I mentioned above. Good luck with your new shower remodel project, AND enjoy your new shower niche! We live in Missouri so we have hot summers and fairly cold winters. 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. 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). 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. Just make sure that you use 1/2 foam board for the perimeter mounting flange since it needs to be mounted flush with your 1/2 shower tile backer board. Its a rock solid installation with hydroban vapor and waterproofing barriers. 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. 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. We dont mind these. Some alternatives to a shower niche include shower caddies, shower shelves, and shower baskets. Call Us: (205) 640-2848 About; Services. You should also check your local tile store. For most shower niches, a regular cleaning every 1-2 months is recommended, with more frequent cleaning as needed. 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. something you can easily avoid. 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. Its great to hear that you were not deterred by the sometimes intimidating prospect of tackling your own bathroom remodel project. But I would be grateful if you could let me know what would be the best way to do this? How do I choose the right size and style for my shower niche? Im not really sure what to say about this one. Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to a Shower? Is it absolutely necessary to put a cross beam (blocking) where a pre-fab niche would go? 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. Preventive measures: To avoid leaking, it is important to take preventive measures during the shower niche installation process. Ive attached photos. Most horizontal niches are built into the back shower wall; usually the longest, and therefore, the most flexible wall in your shower surround. I would guess that using Kerdi Board in this situation compromises the firewall. You can read more about this in my waterproofing post. Just kind of soak of residue water and let it dry. 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. It will also be difficult to get these tiles off without breaking them so you need some spares that you can use as replacements. Installing a shower niche can be a deceptively complicated and risky endeavour, but it is possible to avoid the 5 big shower niche install mistakes. If you have a 2x6 stud wall there will be some room behind the niche. I am currently working with a contractor on my shower remodel. Each of these materials has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks, including durability, resistance to water, ease of maintenance, and cost. These horizontal niches are the epitome of opulence, sometimes spanning the entire shower wall and offering a huge area for storage. 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. Hi we're Denise and Tony! Does that sound sensible to you? It doesnt take a waterproofing expert to see that this tiny silicon bead is the only defence against water running into the wall cavity. Thanks so much for the helpful article. I would be more concerned with the use of Kerdi Board to replace the 5/8 drywall of your shower wall. The eye level of an adult is 44 inches from the floor level. We are currently in a remodel and was thinking of this horizontal niche with a light in the top corner. The fact that you live in Florida does make the outside wall problem a little less of a problem than if you were living in an area that experiences more extreme temperature fluctuations seasonally. Chances are that you will damage the waterproofing membrane (if there is one) or damage the backer board (might even be gypsum wallboard). The size and style of your shower niche should be based on the size and design of your shower, as well as your storage needs. Can these Niche shower boxs be finished with shower boards as oppose to tilling?