Shower remodel - questions to ask a contractor
#1
10-03-17, 06:52 PM
Shower remodel - questions to ask a contractor
We're going to have a small shower redone this year and are going to use tile. We think it will look nicer, hold up better and help resale value down the line.
I'd like to know what questions I should ask potential contractors who give us quotes. I know we want to make sure they pull permits, but beyond that, what specific things should we be asking them?
Also, how high up the wall should the tile go? Whoever installed this prefab really didn't make it high enough in my opinion (as the previous owner put some type of "sticky plastic" above all three sides to protect the wall from water (it goes up maybe 6" above the shower).
Here's a pic of the shower we're redoing (yes, it's seen much better days
)
I'd like to know what questions I should ask potential contractors who give us quotes. I know we want to make sure they pull permits, but beyond that, what specific things should we be asking them?
Also, how high up the wall should the tile go? Whoever installed this prefab really didn't make it high enough in my opinion (as the previous owner put some type of "sticky plastic" above all three sides to protect the wall from water (it goes up maybe 6" above the shower).
Here's a pic of the shower we're redoing (yes, it's seen much better days
)
Last edited by PJmax; 10-03-17 at 08:14 PM. Reason: added pic from link
#2
10-03-17, 08:17 PM
Group Moderator
I can start the ball rolling.
You want cement board behind the tile.
I agree the tile should be at least over the shower head.
What are you doing for the floor/pan ?
You want cement board behind the tile.
I agree the tile should be at least over the shower head.
What are you doing for the floor/pan ?
#3
10-04-17, 03:33 AM
Member
For a perfectly water tight system look into the Prova / Ditra systems.
No cement board, no mortar beds, simple and perfectly waterproof for ever!
No cement board, no mortar beds, simple and perfectly waterproof for ever!
#4
10-04-17, 05:22 PM
Group Moderator
#5
10-05-17, 02:21 PM
Member
Why not get some quotes and suggestions from your contractor and then run those by us for verification. Too many variables and directions you could go for us to generalize. Start with type of floor system and then move to walls. Plan on updating all the plumbing while the walls are open. I recommend what ever manufacture of fixtures you go with, get one with integrated shut off valves. Makes kife easier down the road if you have to change a cartridge out.
#6
10-05-17, 04:33 PM
Member
I don't see either product being used on a wall. Did I miss something ?
The Ditra/Prova, absolutely.
This was my walk in shower from 5 years ago. In comparison to other tile jobs it was very simple and as noted, nothing can get past the membrane!
https://www.doityourself.com/forum/a...1&d=1507246375
#7
10-06-17, 04:52 PM
PJmax,
Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea what I'm doing for the pan lol What SHOULD I do for the pan (or NOT do)?
czizzi,
I was hoping to get a few ideas of what sort of questoins to ask a contractor before I bring them in. After posting, I did come across the following website which had some good questions to ask contractors:
https://www.ceramictilefoundation.or...ile-installers
When you refer to an integrated shutoff valve, is that we currently we (no separate hot and cold knobs)?
Marq1,
What is so good/unique about the Ditra/Prova vs. other methods?
Thanks,
Andy
Excuse my ignorance, but I have no idea what I'm doing for the pan lol What SHOULD I do for the pan (or NOT do)?
czizzi,
I was hoping to get a few ideas of what sort of questoins to ask a contractor before I bring them in. After posting, I did come across the following website which had some good questions to ask contractors:
https://www.ceramictilefoundation.or...ile-installers
When you refer to an integrated shutoff valve, is that we currently we (no separate hot and cold knobs)?
Marq1,
What is so good/unique about the Ditra/Prova vs. other methods?
Thanks,
Andy
#8
10-06-17, 05:47 PM
Here are questions I've come up with by reading some articles I came across. Are these enough to get a good idea of who I'm dealing with?
• How long will the project take?
• How many people will be working on the project?
• Will all cutting be done outside?
• Do you use cement backer board, ProvaFlex, or Ditra? Why that choice?
• Will a crack isolation membrane be used? (not even sure what this is, but it was something I came across in an article)
• Do you use movement accommodation joints to deal with temperature and humidity variations? (not sure what this is either, but it was something I came across in an article)
• What type of bonding materials do you use? (what should they be using???)
• Do you offer any type of guarantees? For example, the work will be free from leaks and other issues for "X" number of years?
• The bottom of the shower has had a crack we’ve patched a few times. We’re suspecting some dry rot. How will that be handled?
• We're wanting to extned the shower out a few inches, which means re-centering the shower head and drain. How much of the piping will need to be replaced under the house?
• Do you arrange for a city inspector to come by? How long does that usually take?
• Do you use sub-contractors?
• How long will the project take?
• How many people will be working on the project?
• Will all cutting be done outside?
• Do you use cement backer board, ProvaFlex, or Ditra? Why that choice?
• Will a crack isolation membrane be used? (not even sure what this is, but it was something I came across in an article)
• Do you use movement accommodation joints to deal with temperature and humidity variations? (not sure what this is either, but it was something I came across in an article)
• What type of bonding materials do you use? (what should they be using???)
• Do you offer any type of guarantees? For example, the work will be free from leaks and other issues for "X" number of years?
• The bottom of the shower has had a crack we’ve patched a few times. We’re suspecting some dry rot. How will that be handled?
• We're wanting to extned the shower out a few inches, which means re-centering the shower head and drain. How much of the piping will need to be replaced under the house?
• Do you arrange for a city inspector to come by? How long does that usually take?
• Do you use sub-contractors?
#9
10-07-17, 01:48 AM
Member
What is so good/unique about the Ditra/Prova vs. other methods?
So the membrane systems are relatively new, they use a waterproof fabric to line the inside of the shower which the tiles are then installed on.
Every other system can leak, membrane systems are leak proof.
Beyond the water issue they solve you dont need cement board since it used drywall, you dont need mortar beds since it uses Styrofoam pans.
Its just a modern way to install shower tile and remove all the issues of the antiquated methods of the past.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTDBvyCPGrU
