Are you happy with it?

Do you have photos of the waterproofing that was done prior to tile install?

The waterproofing used was USG Durock

Linda we are not happy, that’s why we are asking.

Yes,, this is poor workmanship and I would not accept it.

I know I wouldn't be happy with that either. I'm just appalled at how many posts there are showing inferior tile work. I'm not being rude at all but where did you find this person.?

Design Girl, do you have experience with tile?

Angie’s list and they have excellent reviews

Is there plastic behind the Durock? The Durock is not waterproof in and of itself, and an older form of waterproofing is a liner behind the cementboard. Also, proper taping appears absent, but could have occurred after that picture. Did they screw it in properly and at the correct spacing?

Abbi S - I have done many bathrooms and that is not good work.

North Texan...There does not need to be plastic behind what is seen in the pics of the installation. That looks like Durock waterproof membrane which is installed over the durock (so it‘s part of their waterproof shower system).

Your complaints are legitimate. It's certainly not the worst we've seen but the attention to detail could have been better. The USG is a foam board. Best on the market IMO. As for Angie's list you are going by references of previous clients. Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant etc. What knowledge do they actually have about proper tile installations or other trades? Hire wisely.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

Definitely sloppy work. The order of tile install does not matter as the waterproofing system is what makes the shower waterproof not the tile (meaning the shower was as waterproof before tile was installed as it is now)

That said, those are some sloppy joints. Have you spoken to the tile installer?

Live-wire-oak, one of our issues is that they did not finish the waterproofing correctly. We are having a full master bathroom renovation (new everything). This renovation is not low tier by any means so I do expect highly skilled contractors. The cost of the project is in the $45,000 range.

If they did not waterproof it correctly, it’s a tear-out and re-do. That’s the conversation you need to be having. Show them photographic evidence that the water proofing was done wrong, if you have pictures. Ask them to describe each waterproofing step, identify which parts of their answers are wrong, and proceed with your discussion from there. If you know it was not waterproofed, it needs to be redone, by them, 100% on their dime, by a real tile pro, not a hack, including buying the new materials which will be ruined upon re-demo.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5725013/what-to-do-when-a-project-goes-completely-south#n=13

My understanding is that durock is good for walls in bathrooms and kitchens but is not waterproofing for a shower and that tile job is a mess IMO a rip out down to the studs and get someone who actually knows what they are doing . BTW niches are always where water seems to find a spot to leak I neer design them in my bathroom renovations I always suggest a free standing one in a large shower or one to hang over the wall in smaller ones.

@abby. What specific detail is wrong with waterproofing? Other than applying membrane to the seams which can be done while installing wall tile. Provided what is in your photo is USG foam board If it's USG membrane then it is already overlapped. I cant tell from photo if screws are visible.

Agree with Creative Tile Eastern CT, the product in the pic is USG waterproofing foam board, not Durock, they are distinctly marked/labeled differently. The foam board already has a waterproofing membrane/coating applied to it. The only question would be how the joints are being sealed/waterproofed. Though in the pics it appears that the higher joints are not sealed it may be that they are doing this is just before the tile application.