Shower Pan Crack
#1
05-28-14, 05:48 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Shower Pan Crack
So my builder installed a shower pan (fiberglass) that has developed a thin crack about 6-8 inches long. We've only been in the house for 3 months. Is this something that can be repaired or would it need to be replaced? My 2 big concerns are that the pan will leak and if they do a repair it will just crack again after the warranty is up and I'll be stuck paying for the repair myself.
I think it's a Florestone fiberglass pan (based on what I see in the picture I took).
I think it's a Florestone fiberglass pan (based on what I see in the picture I took).
#2
05-28-14, 06:31 AM
Super Moderator
It's going to have to be torn out and replaced. Likely it's not supported correctly and they can address that when it's out. I'd try to be there for the tearout and snap a few pics of what's underneath.
#3
05-28-14, 07:00 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
That's what I was thinking too. Given that it would squeak when you stood in it I'm guessing it wasn't supported correctly either.
#4
05-28-14, 07:08 AM
Super Moderator
Some pans/tubs say no mortar required, but I don't think thats such a great idea.
Here's another hint...you need to clean that thing more often. Esp with that pebbled finish. If you leave it like that too long it will never come clean.
Here's another hint...you need to clean that thing more often. Esp with that pebbled finish. If you leave it like that too long it will never come clean.
#5
05-28-14, 07:24 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Yeah I know about the cleaning. It was so dirty because we had other people tromping in there doing tile and grout repair.
#6
05-28-14, 11:48 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
So the builder was out today and said they didn't think it was a problem, but they would have their shower guy come look at it. Guessing I may have a fight on my hands.
#7
05-28-14, 01:14 PM
Fiberglas doesn't crack on one surface. You can bet the bank it is cracked through, and by it squeaking when you stand in it, it is a sure indication there is no bed and it was installed without water being added to settle it in. You may have a fight on your hands, so dig in with both spurs, and keep the rope tight.
#8
05-28-14, 01:18 PM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Guys!
Based on what I am seeing on the Florestone website for installation, they don't show it setting in a bed. They say it can go right on the subfloor.
Based on what I am seeing on the Florestone website for installation, they don't show it setting in a bed. They say it can go right on the subfloor.
#9
02-16-15, 07:27 PM
bainbridgematt,
Our home was built in late 2013 and came with a one year warranty. Our builder also installed a Florestone fiberglass shower pan that looks very similar to yours. 16 months after we moved in, we discovered multiple cracks in our shower pan, one crack is 12 inches long. Did you find out what caused the crack in your shower pan?
Our home was built in late 2013 and came with a one year warranty. Our builder also installed a Florestone fiberglass shower pan that looks very similar to yours. 16 months after we moved in, we discovered multiple cracks in our shower pan, one crack is 12 inches long. Did you find out what caused the crack in your shower pan?
#10
02-17-15, 05:18 AM
Member
Per the attached PDF Florestone makes 3 different style pans that are installed differently depending on which style you have. Two of them require that the pan be set in a 1/4" bed of mud/cement/plaster for support. If you have any flex in the shower pan when you get in, most likely the installation was incorrect. Flex will lead eventually to cracking.
http://www.florestone.com/shower_rec...ec_install.pdf
http://www.florestone.com/shower_rec...ec_install.pdf
#11
02-17-15, 05:50 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Never found out for sure what caused ours. The fiberglass repair guy said it was a cosmetic issue (I don't know if I buy that), but he did do the repair and haven't had any issues since.
#12
02-17-15, 05:58 AM
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 302
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
And to be honest, we're probably going to rip out the shower and replace it in few years anyway, since we hate the floor pan and the tile that they installed.
#13
02-17-15, 07:10 AM
I'm not a Plumber, only a Real Estate Broker . . . . but I've installed (or had installed) about 4 shower stalls, and it was suggested to me at the beginning that I mix up a small batch of concrete to mud around the drain before the Pan or Stall is permanently positioned, so as to give it a little more support over its life.
Some of the Plumbers who I employed did this (at my request) saying they hadn't heard of such a thing; others said they didn't mix cement (so I did it myself) and others thought it was a good idea.
I thought this was a fairly common practice . . . . but maybe not. All I know is that I never had a cracked fiberglass shower pan; and some of them have been in place 20-30 years.
Some of the Plumbers who I employed did this (at my request) saying they hadn't heard of such a thing; others said they didn't mix cement (so I did it myself) and others thought it was a good idea.
I thought this was a fairly common practice . . . . but maybe not. All I know is that I never had a cracked fiberglass shower pan; and some of them have been in place 20-30 years.
