flood testing and tile installation

last year

We are in the middle of a remodel. The new shower has tile but no grout. Our water turned on and the basement flooded. Im concerned that the shower lining has a hole or the insulation has gone wrong.

They did a flood test before tiling and it held fine.

Advice please?

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PRO

Joseph Corlett, LLC

last year

If it passed the flood test, I wouldn't worry.

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Comments (6)

catbuilder
last year
I can't think why someone wouldn't be worried about a flooding basement when the shower is turned on.

You need to determine if the water is due to a failed shower pan, a bad drain, or the water supply lines. Are you sure it's from the shower being turned on, or is it possible that it's from another source in the bathroom? To test the pan, you need to fill it from a source other than the shower itself. That means filling buckets from outside the bathroom and carefully pouring the water into the pan.

Is this shower directly above the basement? Do you have access to it from below?
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If Kerdi was used, you could. But you'd want to give the test more time than typical for it to be accurate. During a normal test, when you plug the drain and flood the membrane, there are no porous materials in the shower pan, so the water level is what it is.It's going to stay in the membrane or leak through a flaw in the installation. Flood testing an already tiled and grouted shower? You can flood it, but water will slowly percolate through the grout and saturate the grout and the thinset between the tile and the membrane. Some might even wick up the grout and thinset on the walls and the curb. So you'll have an initial water level, but the water level could drop a bit over the first day as water percolates between and under the tile. You might even see tiny air bubbles come up as air is displaced by water. Once the percolating and wicking is done, the level should stabilize. With the exception of evaporation.
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When? After the waterproofing is complete. This time frame will vary depending on the selected waterproofing system. Some after 3hrs others 24hrs.etc. I would not worry about the installer resisting. If He/She is afraid to flood test then you have reason to be concerned. If there is any issue it would most likely be time was not allowed for flooding which is not your problem. The link I posted is for a recent discussion which Tundra explained very well and saves me typing:) His comments are at the end of the thread with photos. Post photos of your project as it is now and progresses. There are several pros here who will be happy to help.http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4619968/show-leaking-into-wall-and-floor?n=18
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The flood test was done after the tile install. I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures of the installation but I will see if the contractor has any. There is no question that work needs to be done on the door/ledge pitch and sweep but I have NEVER seen the area in question outside the shower wet. I have studied that endlessly, but water doesn't settle in the spots with the stains. I wish it were otherwise, because at least then we would know what corrections might work.
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User
last year
last modified: last year
Use your flashlight to peer up into the depths of the basement ceiling, and find out where the water is coming from. The valve? The drain? What is making it rain?
PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
last year
Pay attention to #1 and 2 for starters (since it passed flood test): https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.tile-assn.com/resource/resmgr/docs/help!_my_shower_is_leaking.pdf
catbuilder
last year
Just because it passed the flood test doesn't mean it can't be the liner. If it's a surface-applied membrane, it could have been compromised after the test, or the water might not have been filled up high enough to fully test the pan. The corners at the curb might not have been done properly.
PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
last year
@catbuilder, True. Makes sense to eliminate the potential of a plumbing issue first.

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flood testing and tile installation

Joseph Corlett, LLC

Comments (6)

catbuilder

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Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.

catbuilder

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