Bathroom Remodeling
Why So Many Houston Showers Fail in Under Ten Years
July 2, 20268 min read
We tear out failed showers most weeks of the year. Almost every one fails for the same three reasons, and none of them are the tile.
No bonded waterproofing membrane
Cement board is not waterproof. Without a bonded sheet or liquid membrane over it, water passes the tile, saturates the substrate, and finds the framing. Grout and thinset are water resistant, never waterproof.
Unsealed corners and penetrations
Corners, curbs, niches, and mixing valve penetrations are where membranes get skipped. We photograph every seam and preformed corner before tile goes up and email the photos to the homeowner.
Slope built in the wrong layer
The pre-slope must exist beneath the membrane, not just in the mud bed above it. On linear-drain showers we confirm slope with a level and a flood test held for twenty-four hours before tiling.
The takeaway
Ask any bidder which waterproofing system they use by name. A vague answer is your answer.
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