Here are some photos of the shower as it was built. From my research, and double research it seems sound as far as waterproofing. Of course I am not a professional, but I am just very disappointed with the finishing of the niche edges.

Wow you have such a beautiful space. I sure hope you find a resolution to your issues. Is your space done with real marble? I used porcelain tile that looks like marble and my niche was done using quartz (same as vanity top) and bullnose tile pieces. If your tile had bullnose pieces then I would think you could achieve the same look I have (?) I'm no pro either.. Just a girl with Pinterest & a contractor hahahaha

Mine is finished similar to this:

home remodel · More Info

I can't believe he left the sticker on ???

@mrsshayne

The floor, bench and inside the niche are real marble, the tile for the shower and floors are a ceramic. I will post more photos when I get home as it is "done" now save for the niche edge and the bench edge. It does look great, if your dont start looking at every single detail, but the moldings for me are such a huge thing! I must get it repaired.

BTW! I love the way your niche is finished, beautiful.

jewelisfabulous gorgeous finish. I would like mine to look finished too :(

mrsshayne YES! He had the audacity to not only leave the sticker on, but if you notice, all the edge pieces are scratched. It is not right. I dont know how anyone can look at that product and say that will look great.

Obviously, we kicked him out, and I will not be allowing him to try an fix anything nor will we do any more work with him.

So I got home a little bit ago and I took some photos so you can see how the bathroom looks at this very moment.

Of course with these photos you cannot see the nche in detail.

Yikes, and I thought I had seen everything. I agree with Millworkman, you have to wonder about what's underneath. So I looked at the progress pictures.... If you look at the picture that has the liner in and also the backerboard on the walls, it sure looks like a couple of nails down low on the pan. I couldn't tell for sure as the resolution was grainy when I zoomed in. So maybe you can zoom in on the original to see if those are nail heads. There shouldn't be any nails below the level of the curb. If there are nails below the curb then it need to be redone as it will leak.

Thank you! So I looked at the photo and it seems there are two nails a little lower than the curb line. I looked at other photos after and he taped all the nail head holes and then he put that waterproofing glue like substance all over.

Yeah, I saw what looks like Hydroban or something like that in the subsequent pictures, but nonetheless nails below the curb are a no-no.... The pan liner is the primary waterproofing membrane and that is compromised with a nail puncture. You can't rely on the secondary waterproofing layer 'hydroban' or what ever it is 100% to prevent leaking through to the cement board in my opinion. In the other pictures, it didn't seem like all the seams were taped and mudded with thinset before application of the liquid. Also besides that, a liquid membrane has to be applied according the manufacturers instructions, including a spec for thickness of the membrane. Painting on one coat is usually not enough.

I think the next company you have coming in will verify this and you should get as many opinions as you can.

Was the pan ever flood tested before the tile was set? If not maybe your next guys could do that. Basically you insert a plug into the shower drain, fill it up with water, leave it for 24hrs or longer... if the water level doesn't change, and you don't observe water leaking into walls you might be OK.

But in my opinion the pan wasn't done correctly.

Danielle Tuvia Barreto , any updates on the niche? I would think you could buy marble pieces to make the niche look more finished (sort of like jewelisfabulous picture above). Lowes sells a couple of "pencil liner tile" pieces that come in marble, along with "marble chair rail" tile...

mrsshayne I am in contact with the tiling professional. We have not yet had the time to meet but we should be very soon.

I am so disappointed with this bathroom. A deep embarrassment and guilt because I should have done more research myself. I just didn't know that I needed to oversee the overseer if that makes any sense. So upsetting.

To everyone who has seen the bathroom it looks great, bit just knowing that it was done incorrectly, I don't think I could forgive myself.

Danielle Tuvia Barreto - I know it's tough, but don't blame yourself. You shouldn't have to do research. You hired a professional and the work done should be right, that is why, we as consumers, hire the pros in the first place. Unfortunately not all "pros" really know what they are doing.. Either way, you do have a beautiful space. I wouldn't have noticed the niche but I know why it bothers you so hopefully you'll find a resolution.

mrsshayne Thats what I thought too, and it just sucks, but I have learned a great lesson from this! We purchased a 70's ranch in south florida, a fixer upper, and I am glad I found out this guy was a joke before allowing him to do our other bathroom, kitchen, floors etc

Yes, it looks good to the untrained eye LOL and we have gotten loads of compliments from friends ( not my dad though, he knows what to look for haha) but I know that I will get it fixed.

Also, now I know that I have to do a lot of research on contractors / workers anything! We are now in the process of finding a company to install impact windows and I am a nervous wreck thinking everyone is out to screw me. lol

Danielle - I just dealt with this same exact situation, unfortunately for me, my hack guy touched More of my home before we understood. I'm curious to learn what resolution is suggested. Good luck!

Looking at the pictures. Before the cement board was installed, was 3mil plastic sheeting stapled over the framing? How was the cement board attached to the curb? Nail or screw heads can be seen on the outside of the curb. If that's how it was attached on the inside then the liner has been compromised. The only way to fix it is to start over. Big Rock Tile & Stone LLC is right.

This can happen when the liner is installed improperly.

I can understand your frustration, guilt, embarassment and anger...we are currently going through a very similar situation with our bathrooom remodel :( But the biggest thing is to make it sure it has been waterproofed correctly!

The niche trim is absurd. He could have at least mitered the corners.

Hopefully there is a preslope under the membrane so the membrane itself is sloped.

Agree that it looks like there are fasteners in the cement board below the height of the curb threshold.

The application of the topical membrane is suspect. The mil thickness looks inadequate, not put on thick enough, and the coverage appears incomplete with fasteners and pockmarks in the backer board not fully coated, etc. To my eye at least. Probably should have use reinforcing fabric in the corners too; where the bench meets the wall and around the niche, etc.

Hopefully when he pulled the ledger boards he used to support the wall tile he spot-treated the fastener holes with waterproofing.

The grout under the niche sill and at the bench/wall is...a bit much?

Take all that away and you have a very attractive shower.