Tile can transform a space, from timeless elegance in a bathroom to a fresh, modern look in a kitchen. But as beautiful as tile may be, poor installation can turn your dream project into a costly nightmare. One of the most common calls we receive is to repair failing tile installations, especially in showers and tub surrounds. And unfortunately, many of these problems occur in projects that are less than 5 years old.
This can be incredibly frustrating for homeowners who’ve spent thousands of dollars to upgrade their homes. Instead of enjoying their beautiful new shower or bath, they’re stuck dealing with leaks, mold, and costly repairs, often exceeding the price of the original job.
Why Do Tile Installations Fail, Especially in Wet Areas?
Showers and tub surrounds are among the most complex and unforgiving places to install tile. When done improperly, water can seep behind the tile, causing structural damage, mold growth, and even major leaks that impact other areas of your home.
While some failures are due to external factors like impact damage or product defects, most are caused by poor installation practices. In many cases, we find multiple errors layered into one job, making repair more complicated and expensive.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Tile Failure
Here are some of the most common—and avoidable—mistakes we see in failed tile installations:
- Skipping proper underlayment or backerboard
- Poor surface preparation and messy job sites
- Out-of-Plumb Walls and Unlevel Substrates
- Ignoring product specifications or industry guidelines
- Using the wrong adhesive or applying it incorrectly
- Uneven grout lines and inconsistent joints
- Poor layout and planning
- Improper shower pan installation or incorrect slope to drain
- Lack of waterproofing in critical areas
Many of these shortcuts happen to save time or money, or worse, out of sheer inexperience. The scariest part? You usually don’t see the consequences until it’s too late. A newly tiled shower may look great at first, but without proper technique, it can start showing signs of failure within just a few years.
What to Look for in a Tile Installer
Not all tile installers are created equal. Experience, attention to detail, and a commitment to doing the job right are essential, especially in wet areas like showers! With over 25 years in the tile trade, we’ve seen nearly every mistake in the book. That’s why we strictly follow the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) guidelines and work with top-quality products from trusted manufacturers like Schluter and Laticrete.
In fact, we maintain direct relationships with these manufacturers’ reps to stay up-to-date on product innovations and best practices. That means we’re not only using premium materials, but we’re also using them exactly as intended, giving your project the best chance at long-term success.
Build It Right the First Time
Every project we take on is treated as if it were going into our own home. We believe your shower should look just as good 10 years from now as it does the day we finish it.
If you’re planning a tile shower installation, or you’re seeing early signs of failure in a recent one, don’t wait for a bigger problem to appear. Call us today and protect your investment with professional craftsmanship you can count on.