In Part 12 we uncovered the improper fold of the water proofing mat that was also letting the water leaking from the wall / floor tile joins out of the mat and onto the particle board, drywall, etc. Disappointing that the en suite shower we had installed as part of our home renovation effort less than a year ago was already giving us problems.
Now, the water proof mat is removed and we see the extent of the water leak.
In the above picture, notice the dramatic difference in the colour along the edge of the cement board that was under the concrete floor. This of course is an indication of significant water escaping from the water proof mat.
Above is a picture of the entire shower floor once the water proof mat is completely removed. Again, notice the wetness of the outer edges of the cement board on the left and top of the picture. Also notice the wet area at the base of the horizontal wood at the top of the picture. A lot of water was leaking.
So, what to do?
First, Alex, Bennett’s son in the above picture, held the drain pipe while his dad was in the basement cutting the drain pipe. This was because the plan was to move the drain to more in the center of the shower floor. This would then allow a more gradual slope from all areas of the shower floor. The current placement close to the shower bench did result in some small water puddles between the drain opening and the built-in shower bench.
Well, over the weekend we placed a de-humidifier inside the shower stall to help dry the floor, wood, etc. Monday would tell the situation. Hopefully the wood and floor will have dried to allow Bennett to continue to install the new floor. And, he mentioned that he would likely use bleach or some substance to kill any mold that might be attempting to grow on the continually web portions of the floor.
Tags: Bathroom · Contractors · Tips With Pictures
September 6th, 2008 · 1 Comment
In Part 11, we identified a few causes of the shower leaking into the basement from the en suite shower that was installed as part of our home renovation 9 months ago.
There was more, the primary cause.
The day after Bennett finished breaking up the concrete floor, he returned with his son, Alex, to remove the concrete and continue on the project.
Once the shower floor was free from the concrete, it revealed the full water proofing floor mat.
What it revealed to us was a lot. While you cannot tell in the picture above, but in the top left corner, the mat had been installed with a hospital corner fold.
The issue was, however, that as can be seen in the picture above, the fold was such that only a little water needed to find it’s way onto the water proof mat before it would sufficiently collect to go over the fold. In other words, the fold was way too low to the base of the floor.
This caused the water to leave the water proof mat, on top of the fold, onto the adjacent drywall, down to the particle board floor and then underneath the horizontal 2 X 4’s and either down to the basement to leak onto the drip ceiling tiles or onto the dry wall on the other side of the wall (which is where we found the mold growing in the adjacent potty room.
Yuk.
In fact, sufficient water had collected in the water proof mat that some of it was still there, even though we had not taken a shower for at least two months in that bathroom.
The above picture is of the part of the mat ripped away by us that was wet. If you see a shiny part in the picture below, that is the wet part.
Next time, drying out the floor and boards.
To continue with the next article in this series, simply select this link to Part (Lucky) 13. 
Tags: Basement · Bathroom · Contractors · Tips With Pictures
