Where are the pictures????!!!!

Not a professional. But cracks in grout means there is movement underneath. We just had Wedi wallboard installed and I watch Wedi installation videos. They showed people installing Wedi shower pans. In one the installer was asking the Wedi rep if it was OK if the board was being crushed under his feet after he put it in and was installing the wall board. The wedi rep said that was normal. But to me it would lead to exactly your situation as the foam compresses as you walk on it. Do you have pics of how your base was installed and do you know the material?

To answer your questions. Yes I would stop using it and yes it needs replaced. I wouldn't let them do another wedi system if that is what they used.

Our installer offered a wedi pan and I said no, I want solid surface.

This isn't the video I saw of the installer asking about it crushing under his feet but another one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsG4lfsdVeQ

Edit: this is the video where they note the product crushes under foot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0ViFmacb0M

from the comments:

paul

2 years ago

Great video as always Sal. I installed a Wedi pan on a recent job and noticed when I kneel on it the pan dents. How durable are these pans after the tile is installed on them? Thanks

Answer: I have noticed that as well with most kinds of foam pads, that is one of
the reasons I prefer to do mud. Wedi suggests that epoxy grout should
be used when installing very small tiles on the pans to avoid problems,
not needed with larger tiles.

I’m betting an old fashioned mud bed with PVC liner. And the mud was too wet. Theres not a thing in the world wrong with foam pans. They usually produce superior results if the person using the system has been trained by the manufacturer.

Depending on your local/state, a stay at home order, contractors might be considered an essential service. They are where I live.

Why is the grout along the outer edges really dark?

I'd Dremel the grout out of the cracks and re-grout. Using the shower isn't going to hurt anything.

Nobody can answer the question as we don't know what the prep method was. This is the cart before the horse kind of approach I'm afraid. You must get your contractor response, and then IF you question it, come back for opinions, and hopefully from the real professionals. You can even share these photos with the contractor, but do ask what his/her prep methods were and products used. I can think of multiple reasons why this could happen but that's not helpful without having all the information.

Denise, I'm just wondering if you ever found a solution to this. I am right now experiencing the almost identical problem; a recently installed pebble shower floor which looks just like yours with same deep cracks developing around the drain within months...also the dark grout along the walls suggest the floor is holding water. I only know that our contractor removed a complete surround bath/shower unit and put a liner on the existing sub-floor followed by sloped cement and a slot drain and pebble tiles. I don't know if I should hope that this floor is just settled and won't get any worse or to take the chance of having it broken up and replaced which in itself sounds like a major undertaking without compromising the waterproof liner and without damaging the subfloor. What did you do? Any feedback appreciated, thanks.