Most shower failures have nothing to do with the tile. They start behind it, when water gets past the grout and reaches a wall that was never built to stay wet.
The layers we build
- A moisture-resistant backer such as Fiberock instead of standard drywall.
- A waterproofing membrane such as RedGard or a Kerdi system over the backer, with sealed seams, corners and penetrations.
- A polymer-modified thinset such as VersaBond, mixed and troweled for full coverage under each tile.
- The tile and grout, with movement joints where the manufacturer calls for them.
Now is the time to update the plumbing
Once the walls are open, it is the best time to replace aging valves and lines. Older plumbing can corrode or build up minerals, and the vibration of a remodel can disturb old joints. Modern materials such as PEX are durable and meet current code, and replacing them now avoids tearing out new tile later.
