Bill V or Mongo or ? - Drain not flat in shower

16 years ago

Hi guys, for the first time starting to use my shower since the remodel! I noticed that there is a small pool of water that doesn't make it down the drain after a shower. Maybe the size of a small bread plate - the puddle that is. I can push it into the drain with my squeege thingie but when I run my hand over the drain I feel the drain slope UP on the end - hence the water unable to run DOWN the drain. I also notice in this area the caulk or grout missing around the drain (very small section). Could the missing grout/caulk be the culprit eventhough the drain feels it slopes upwards? Should I use caulk or grout to fill in this space? I don't know how to post a picture yet on this site but if someone would be so kind to email me at SCOTTMEL@ZBZOOM.NET I will forward you the picture. I definately want to address the little gap (whether it be with caulk or grout, I don't know what to do). Thanks so much!

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Comments (9)

bill_vincent
16 years ago
Go ahead and send me the picture at billvincent@hotmail.com and I'll post it for you leter this afternoon.

For now, suffice to say it's not the missing grout, and although the drain not being flat doesn't help, it's probably not that, either. It's most likely just a dip in the mud bed that shouldn't be there.
MongoCT
16 years ago
Yeah, I'll wait for the pic too.

Does the bread plate-sized puddle surround the drain, or is it just on one side of the drain?

Mongo
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bill_vincent
16 years ago
scottmel
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for posting, Bill. The puddle is right above the area that has no grout/caulk in it. Off to the side. It is like the drain is on a slight slope upward so the water above that area of the drain tends to sit there or roll back , not towards the drain. Not a HUGE hassle, I just scrape the water into the drain but am just concerned over what to do with the area that is missing something - whether it be grout or caulk. Just worried what the water is currently doing if it goes down that hole that is gaped. Am I making sense? I want to fix the gap and then know if what I am left with is a big deal or not....Thx Melissa
bill_vincent
16 years ago
Yes, you're making sanse. Here's the thing-- tile and grout aren't waterproof, to begin with. At the base of your drain are what's called "weep holes", where any water that gets thru the surface of your shower floor, can filter down thru the mortar, until it hits the pan membrane, which should also be sloped toward the drain, so taht the water will run to the weep holes and down the drain. It's not a big deal. mechanically speaking. However, if this is a new shower, I WOULD be a little put out with my installer that grout's missing and the shower floor isn't draining properly.
scottmel
Original Author
16 years ago
Yep, Bill it is a NEW shower but I never realized all this of course until it was in use officially....My husband is handy enough - he can read the bag of grout instructions and fix that this evening. Looking ahead though, just so I am clear, you are saying it isn't a big deal (i.e no long term effects or issues down the road) just kind of annoying since the shower needs "assistance" in draining? Is that what I am hearing? Thanks! Melissa
bill_vincent
16 years ago
Hatsa watta you hearin!! :-)
MongoCT
16 years ago
How in the world did they walk away from that grout job and consider it done?

I like your tile!

Mongo
scottmel
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Mongo, I like it too! To be honest it is REALLY hard to see, I just was convinced I smelled sewer gas and was nearly lying down on top of the drain and said "hey what's this???"....I have been seeing the shower floor for over a month since it was completed (waiting on the door to be installed was the hang up) so I never noticed it either! Now I get paranoid and think "was grout there and maybe it is chipping away on me???"...I drive myself insane...

Bill V or Mongo or ? - Drain not flat in shower

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