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Shower wall tile to drywall gap

3 years ago

I am really bothered by the gap between the shower wall tile and the drywall that was filled with grout. It looks horrible to me. Initially he wanted to use Schluter for the edges but I requested a bullnose. I assumed it would be flush against the wall but look at these gaps. It’s ugly. Is there still an opportunity to put up a marble pencil along the edges to cover this gap? Any ideas?

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Comments (15)

millworkman
3 years ago
Is that tile attached to the drywall as well?
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
He put the tile about a couple inches outside of the backer board to align with the curb
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Lets see. A 'bathtub valve' seems to be a tub/shower valve that lets you have both a tub spout and a shower head. The diverter in the picture is in the tub spout. Pull up the little knob and the water then travels up to the shower head. Sounds like this is what you had? But you have no tub? So the contractor removed the spout and closed up or otherwise stopped up the tub spout? So now all the water goes toward the shower head? Enter the hand held shower. Apparently they are both connected to the same (shower) pipe so they are both on at the same time? And the contractor is suggesting you put a shutoff valve on the shower head so that you can use the hand held separately? Have I got it so far?
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OMG their workmanship is terrible. Obviously you didn't have a permit, because no City would have approved this job. You need to cut your losses and have this redone by a professional tile person. You should NOT under any circumstances be giving them advise on how to fix this. You will be giving them an out, because all they need to say is "She told us how to do this and we were just following what SHE wanted. SHE knew we weren't tile professionals. What you are seeing is just the tip of the ice berg of problems. I agree that probably the drainage of the floor is probably also wrong. Did they also do the Plumbing as well? In the future, you will undoubtedly be faced with major water damage to your home. If any damages occur down the road, it may be difficult to get your insurance company to pay for repairs once they see how this was done. These people need to return your money and the cost of your tile so you can redo the shower. For goodness sake don't let them work on any thing else in your house. If you need references, I would go to a large reputable tile store and ask them for people they know and trust. Be sure to check that their license. You can do this by checking their license no. with your State's Contractor's Board. Best of Luck to you.
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Yes, part of their work will include prepping the walls and baseboards, so I can ask them to be sure this little bit is done also. Thank you!
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It's a mud job. I hope that means it'll be water tight. I thought I could trust these guys, but they should have brought the unlevel wall to my attention before going forward.
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Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
He hasn’t done the niche yet
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
What about this gap? Is this a common issue with DIYs?
PRO
BobH
3 years ago
There is no waterproofing to be seen either.
kayozzy
3 years ago
Yes, you can still have a marble pencil tile put in. Or, you can run a bead of paintable caulk and paint it the wall color. You'll forget about it soon.
millworkman
3 years ago
"He put the tile about a couple inches outside of the backer board to align with the curb"

OK then that is ok but what did he use for waterproofing as the cement board from my seat looks bear? No that gap is not typical.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
Mauna Kea:

You've posted a cosmetic problem and discovered you have one much more severe. There is no waterproofing on your "drywall". Your tile has to be removed and done over. Perhaps he'll get the walls plumb next time and a proper edge detail.
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Joseph, the drywall is outside of the shower area. The tile is only about an inch or two outside of the shower so there is a very minimal area that is drywall. There will be a glass enclosure before the small section of drywall. I asked him to extend the tile to align with the shower curb tile.
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
Regarding waterproofing, I’m not sure what his techniques were to do it, but he assured me he did.
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
Okay, got info on the waterproofing, hardiebacker hydrodefense boards were used and he waterproofed all the joints. He did not do any coating because he said it’s not necessary with the cement board that he used specific for showers. Good answer?
Brooke Hanson
3 years ago
@Cee A totally off topic, but what tiles are those? I love them
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you. They are 16x24 solto white marble from Arizona tile. Their prices are much cheaper than floor and decor.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
3 years ago
Mauna Kea:

Your installer is correct that Hardie Hydrodefense does not need additional waterproofing according to the manufacturer. I would check his fasteners, the fastener schedule, the tape, and the mortar however.

You could have a custom solid surface molding fabricated to get you out of your wall/tile dilemma.
Cee A
Original Author
3 years ago
Joseph - That makes me feel better. I’m glad he used good waterproof concrete board at least. I didn’t inspect everything before he put up most of the tiles but I did see he covered the joints assuming that’s the waterproofing. I’m trying not to micromanage because I know he’s not a professional tiler but at the same time make sure he’s not making shortcuts.

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