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Upstairs shower tiles squeaking

My newly renovated shower is doing something really weird.

The shower base was waterproofed multiple times before being tiled by a professional.

Now, some 6 weeks later I noticed a slight squeak in one or two of the tiles when I shower. I ignored it at first then when I was talking to someone about it and demonstrating that there is no obvious movement in the tiles, I noticed that when I pressed hard on the tiles some water came up between the tiles. Not much but certainly noticeable.

I am trying not to stress about the possibilities especially as the recent shower renovation was a huge job replacing flooring and adding extra flooring to raise the level before waterproofing.

The good thing is that it does not leak (no signs of water on the ceiling directly below but I dont want to leave it that long

Recommendations appreciated

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MitchellMc

Hi @Laurens,

As @EricL has mentioned, you do not want to touch the tiles at this point in time. Complete documentation should be done, including pictures. My first thought is that all the floor tiles need to be removed and redone from your description. In the best-case scenario, it might be as simple as you've described. However, water doesn't usually get under tiles on a new tiling job, and even if it does, the tiles shouldn't just start separating. Once you lift that first tile, you'll be voiding any current and future warranty, and any reimbursement for remediation works will be near impossible to seek.

If this were my bathroom, I'd be still chasing the tiler and contacting Fair Trade to mediate an outcome if communication lines have broken down. The risks are just too high. If you lift the tiles and puncture the waterproofing membrane whilst removing the glue, you'd be up for the cost of redoing all the tiling and waterproofing.

Mitchell

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EricL

Hello @Laurens

I understand how stressful bathroom renovations can be. Since the tiling in your bathroom has been done recently, it should be still under warranty. Pressing on tiles with water coming out is not a natural occurrence. I recommend calling your tiler and showing them what has happened. Should re-tiling be necessary, I suggest asking the tiler to use a grout and tile sealer to properly seal the grout lines. At this point in time, I recommend not applying any sealers or taking steps to correct the issue so that you will not void your warranty.

Please keep us updated with your situation and should you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Laurens

After multiple requests for help the tiler is not responding...

EricL

Hello @Laurens

I'm sorry to hear that your tiler has not responded to your calls. I suggest to continue calling and leaving messages. Was your tiler an independent or did they work for a firm? Did your builder or another tradesperson recommend the tiler to you? They might be able to reach the tiler, you could also ask for some help concerning the tiles in your shower. If all forms of communication have proven ineffective, your next port of call would be to Fair Trade/Building Disputes in your area.

If the tiler was part of a crew you may also speak to the foreman who was managing the trades. I also recommend looking at the dockets that were issued to you by the tiler or the shower builder. That would be another way you can communicate with them.

Let me tag our experienced members @TedBear, @ProjectPete, @JDE, @Brad, and @Adam_W for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Laurens

After not getting a response from the tiler who laid the offending tiles I am now considering lifting them to see what was done to create the problem.

I have spent some time considering my options, including waiting to see what the Bunnings crew might suggest, and worked out that the only option is to lift the tiles so see what sort of glue was used that would allow the tiles to move ever so slightly. I would then have to clean the 'not so old' glue and take the next steps from there.

The problem is that the floor tiles have to go under the edge of the wall tiles. The tiler relied on the floor glue thickness to create a slight fall to the drain so I dont have much fall to work with as far as putting the new glue in and getting a fall to the drain.

StevieB

Sounds like it's been a frustrating situation @Laurens.

Our resident D.I.Y. expert @MitchellMc may be able to provide suggestions for what you could do next when he's back on the site on Friday. Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

Stevie

Laurens

I look forward to hearing from him/her 🙂

MitchellMc

Hi @Laurens,

Mitchell

Laurens

I will contact fair trading and let the tiler know of my actions. It may spur him into action

MitchellMc

Keep us updated, @Laurens. I'm happy to walk you through fixing this issue yourself. However, I want to make sure you've thoroughly exhausted any possible avenues before doing so. Once you start, you can't go back.

Mitchell

Laurens

Its been a long haul and I have made no headway trying to get the problem fixed.

Today I removed the grouting and lifted the tiles. Its a mess.

It appears that the tiler partially blocked the 'secondary drain' (the one where the water which might get under the tiles drains away) consequently the water accumulated under the tiles and appears to have even penetrated under one of the waterproof layers.

Lifting the tiles has damaged the water seal as well.

I have not removed the grout from under the edge tiles yet Shower Base.jpg

I would be very interested in suggestions/recommendations on where to go from here.

MitchellMc

I'm sorry to hear you're still struggling with this issue, @Laurens.

Since the waterproofing membrane is compromised, you need to remove the bottom rows of tiles and re-waterproof the recess according to standards. This is due to needing one homogeneous and continuous layer of waterproofing across the floor and right up the walls. You can't just patch the floor and re-apply waterproofer there. You'd likely find someone willing to do just the floor, but there is no way of telling whether the corner joints will be sealed adequately without removing the tiles.

It would be my advice to get a few quotes from some tradespeople that specialise in waterproofing and see what approach they would take to resolve this situation and the cost. You'll then have a fairly good idea of what will be involved and whether you'd like to attempt that yourself.

You should find this step-by-step guide useful: How to waterproof a shower.

Please let me know if you have questions.

Mitchell

Laurens

I feared/suspected that the lower row of tiles would have to be removed and the waterproofing redone. It will be a mongrel of a job. I shall contemplate it for a while before deciding how I will tackle it.

Thank you

MitchellMc

Consider getting those quotes @Laurens. Even if you don't go ahead with any of them, you'll find out a whole heap of information on how to best tackle the job.

Mitchell

Laurens

Bathroom Tile removal.JPG

How do I remove the old tile glue/cement without an extraordinary amount of effort.
It pains me that I had done all the preparation and it was the tiler who has left me with a massive repair problem.
I have even considered removing all the newly laid tiles and starting again

MitchellMc

That chisel/scraper and hammer will likely be one of the few ways to remove the adhesive @Laurens. Keep the scraper at a shallow angle to the wall and see if you can chip the glue off without too much damage to the sheeting behind. Be careful as if you damage the sheeting, you'll need to replace it as well.

An angle grinder and diamond grinding cup would be the most effective tool to use. Alternatively, the Ozito 300W Multi Function Tool comes with a couple of bits designed for cutting out grout. They might work reasonably well at removing the glue, but it's incredibly hard stuff.

Let me mention a few of our knowledgeable members @TedBear, @diy_hausdesigns, @ProjectPete, @Remarka6le and @tom_builds, to see if they have any thoughts.

Mitchell

Remarka6le

I've used an Ocilating tool with a scraper attachment when removing that stuff from our Laundry, I then used a wirebrush attachment for our drill to smooth out anything I missed.

GC9114

I don't want to add to your worries but you mention that 'extra' flooring was added to build up the floor level. If the flooring was not fixed (screwed/nailed) properly this can cause squeaking where the flooring moves up and down very slightly when pressure is put on it.

Simon

Laurens

It was screwed down and now that I have removed the tiles I can assure you that it is not moving. It was something the tiler did or used to flat lay the tiles on the floor of the shower that allowed the water to seep in and stay under the tiles.
I had a waterproofer come out to have a look and he has offered to repair the job and use fibreglass to waterproof the under tile area. He is having to do that as the water seal I had laid down was damaged getting the tiles up. It is now a patch work of water seal and timber, with the water seal being laborious to remove

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