Tile Shower Situations

ALANA HUMPHREYS

Interior Designer

Your Tile Shower: Don’t get soaked!

During a recent visit with my aunt and uncle from Victoria, I was surprised to learn that they’re having their shower tiles replaced. It had been just a few years since they’d renovated their bathrooms; and since I helped them select materials, I know the tiles were top quality.

I asked them why.

“Water issues,” they sighed. “Turns out the tiles hadn’t been properly installed.”

How disheartening. (If you’ve ever spent a bundle on renos and then watched as things went horribly wrong, you know the feeling well. Having to redo a renovation because it wasn’t done right the first time is a waste of time and money, never mind the toll it takes on homeowner confidence!)

To the tile shower problem, an easy solution!

If the proper steps aren’t taken to install them correctly, tile showers can be very problematic. The sure-fire fix: install them correctly!

If you’re considering a renovation to your bathroom shower and want to make sure it’s done right the first time, consider these tips and suggestions before construction gets underway.

The lowest price may not be the best price. When considering quotes from trades and suppliers, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples and that everyone’s quoting on the same scope of work. And make sure you’re clear on what’s included. How have they calculated their labour costs? What’s the mark-up on materials? Have they accounted for material waste? What type of prep work is included? The lowest priced option may seem attractive; but if it doesn’t include everything necessary, you could end up paying a lot more…or getting shortchanged on quality and workmanship.

Let’s talk about grout. When there’s trouble with tile showers, the culprit often turns out to be grout. For many people “grout is grout,” but choosing the wrong product—or using it incorrectly—can have major repercussions. Should you use sanded, unsanded or epoxy grout? Powdered or premixed? What are the prep steps? And how do you finish it off? (Wanna talk about grout? Give me a shout.)

Use your brain…use a membrane. Despite what many believe, tiles and grout joints are not inherently waterproof. To ensure your shower’s watertight, a “behind the tiles” waterproofing system is essential. There are oodles of options, from cement boards with liquid or sheet waterproofing membranes to newer technologies like Schluter®-KERDI-BOARD and wedi Building Panels. Let’s talk about the one that’s right for you.

Sifting through the piles of tiles. With the seemingly infinite array of colours, sizes, materials and finishes, selecting tiles for your bathroom renovation can be a daunting and dizzying task. If you’re feeling uncertain (or completely overwhelmed)…well, what better time to call an interior design specialist!

Planning a bathroom reno? Go ahead…shower me with your questions. I am, as always, here to help.