How do we eliminate water accumulation behind the shower tile?
by
TrueC
+2
The bottom row of white subway tiles (8 X 10 in. each) has been progressively changing color during the past ten months since installation. Since our builder ripped open the tile wall two weeks ago, the lead tile at the now-opened base of our shower wall is lightening back to white. It appears that the tile and backer board are finally drying out. They are no longer sitting in water. The nails used to adhere the backer board to the framing are rusting and wicking water into the wood framing. At demo, an accumulation of water spilled out of the wall from behind the bottom row of tile. The base of the shower is composite pan, not tile. There is no grout between the pan and the tile wall, just silicone. There is silicone behind the first tiles in the bottom row, not mud. This was done to keep the adjacent drywall dry.
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Remove taps and pour desicant ? beads down to absorb moisture. (hardware store)A good plumber should have used silicon on the taps to stop water getting in but sometimes lazy.
You need to get your builder back to fix this. It could be a leaky pipe or faulty instillation. Either way - he ripped everything out and it is now dry so he can fix it. Insist upon this! Take pictures!
Remove taps pour down desiccant to absorb moisture. Desiccant beads bags from glass manufacturers or hardware. (They are the beads you get in products and they say do not eat.)
How old is this wall and shower? There are many waterproof ....WATERPROOF materials available that when installed correctly by caring professional contractors, supply you and your house with many many years of happy continued usage. Most importantly .... DRY...