How to Check for Shower Curb Problems…on Install Day
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Avoid shower curb problems with these checks and tools. Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter is a good celebratory tool if all these checks pass your scrutiny!
Sometimes you don’t want to know how to do something–you just want pay someone and know it is done right. But how do you know? This post will show you the checks necessary to verify your shower curb is installed properly…and avoid shower curb failure later.
Of course, knowledge on how to build a shower curb, as well as a discussion on how your contractor plans on doing the work is best done upfront. Even if you are unable to observe, these after-the-fact checks will make sure your shower curb will last.
Tools needed:
Make sure there was proper waterproofing in place before you left for work today.
Many shower curb problems start with improperly installed waterproofing…or worse, no waterproofing at all!
Grout is porous and even a one piece shower curb top will not prevent water from getting behind the grout.
A waterproof membrane is not a nice-to-have.
It is a must.
Check for proper slope into the shower.
There should be a five degree tilt sloped toward the side with the drain. This translates to a 3/8″ to a 1/4″ difference between the height of opposing sides of a six inch curb. 1/4″ to 3/16″ on a four inch curb.
This slope not-so-subtly invites water to shed off on the proper side of the curb, heading to the drain.
You can verify this measurement with the level and a tape measure. Position the level perpendicular to the curb. (Hopefully) lift it up on the drain side of the curb to find level, leaving the other end of the level in contact with the bathroom side of the curb. Then measure off the gap between the level and the curb. Again, hopefully, it falls in the ranges given above.
No slope lets water creep along the surface of the curb due to water viscosity.*
No slope on a shower curb allows the water to travel along the length, creating a slipping hazard when the water hits the entrance.
A curb sloped outside allows water overspray to spill in the rest of the bathroom.*
Slope pointed the wrong direction on a shower curb allows the water to drain OUTSIDE the shower, creating another slipping hazard.
*Do you know how hard it is to get these pictures on a properly sloped curb? 😉
Check for level from one end of the curb to the other end.
This is easy enough with a torpedo level if you have a seamless threshold. If you have tile or any combination of pieces you’ll want to move your level across the different tiles to ensure the curb is level.
Check the width is the same across the entire curb.
For instance, if you have a six inch curb, take your tape measure and make sure it is six inches along the entire distance.
Look for missing grout.
Missed grout spots are open invitations for water to start eating away at your shower curb as soon as you start using it.
Check for even grout lines / tiles.
While this is less of a performance issue, this is a professional job and it should look clean and polished from exact placement and properly sized tiles.
So how did your shower curb do?
I truly wish these checks in your bathroom pass with flying colors. No one likes those hard conversations–even in a business relationship. But you want your shower done right and you want it to last. These checks should get you there and help you avoid shower curb problems in the future!
Related side note: If you are installing a glass wall or shower door system, do not let the installer drill into the shower curb. Only drill into the walls, if at all possible. A silicone bead and the weight of the glass is enough to keep it in place. Drilling can possibly crack the stone / tile in the shower curb as well as potentially break through the waterproofing membrane, defeating the purpose of the membrane.
More info:
If you need any clarifications on these steps, watch this video to see if your shower curb is installed properly–in action:
Proof on why grout is porous: Do You Need to Remove Tile After a Flood? Solved!
Similar checks necessary when installing the shower curb top: Build a Granite Shower Curb with a Prefab Granite Backsplash
