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Improperly Installed Shower Insert

BillB82 | Posted in General Discussion on July 28, 2007 05:52am

I am asking you guys and girls to help me yet again. I paid a handy man to install a heavy plastic shower insert in a rental house. It replaced a leaky tile shower. He installed the insert over (newly installed) green board. Obviously the insert is supposed to contact the studs and the dry wall then run up to and over the heavy plastic edge. I am now trying to figure out the best way to remedy the mistake with minimal damage. Tearing it out will probably break the $300 insert and require a lot of time and effort. Instead could I run dry wall tape around the 1/4 ” edge of the plastic to the dry wall. Then I would feather the joint like any other. Would this tend to crack over time? My other idea was to install bull nose tile around the edge. May look a little funny. Also I lost some shower space with the insert. The shower now measures 27 1/2 ” wide by 32″ deep. Is this an adequate size shower? Time is of the essence as the house will be occupied soon.   Thanks in advance for your help.

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  1. MSA1 | Jul 28, 2007 06:06am | #1

    I dont mean to be insulting, but you do get what you pay for.

    i'd call the guy back and make him do his job correctly.

    You havent paid him yet have you? 

    1. BillB82 | Jul 28, 2007 04:22pm | #8

      I have but he would give me the money back if I asked. He's a  good guy who's done other work for me. Just got over his head on this one.

      1. myhomereno | Jul 28, 2007 06:23pm | #9

        "Just got over his head on this one."No offense, but what kind of work is he capable of doing if a shower stall installation is over his head?
        What is he capable of doing, tighten a doorknob, clean out a sink etc?Martin

      2. DougU | Jul 28, 2007 06:25pm | #10

        Bill

        If its a rental unit I'd go with what Hartman said, pvc trim over the edge and be done with it.

        Might not be fine homebuilding but it certainly doesnt compromise the integrity of the shower unit.

        Doug

        1. BillB82 | Jul 29, 2007 07:07am | #12

          Thanks. I will probably follow your advice. Will PVC damage my saw blade or router bits? 

          1. DonCanDo | Jul 29, 2007 02:12pm | #13

            PVC trim cuts like butter and doesn't leave any residue on blades/bits.  The biggest nuisance cutting it will be the pvc dust which clings to everything because of static charge.  Sometimes I'll use a leaf blower to clean up the tools before putting them away.

          2. BillB82 | Jul 30, 2007 08:01am | #14

            Thanks. It will probably be pvc trim for me.

  2. DanH | Jul 28, 2007 06:09am | #2

    I think I'd maybe double up the adjacent drywall for about 6 inches, so it covers the edge. Use plastic or metal exposed edging on the corners.

    So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
    1. BillB82 | Jul 28, 2007 07:13am | #3

      Thanks. This was also an idea I had considered. Do you think it would be visually acceptable?

      1. bobtim | Jul 28, 2007 07:34am | #4

        yes

      2. User avater
        BillHartmann | Jul 28, 2007 08:45am | #5

        I would get some PVC "lumber" maybe a 1x4.Make some molding to fit over the flange.Put a 3/8" radius round over on one edge. Then daddo the back to fit over the flange..
        .
        A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

        1. DanH | Jul 28, 2007 02:16pm | #7

          Yeah, that's probably better than the drywall strip. And easier too.
          So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

  3. IronHelix | Jul 28, 2007 02:14pm | #6

    27 x 32 is a small shower! Very Small!....Iron Helix

  4. rasconc | Jul 28, 2007 07:40pm | #11

    Go to Lowes and look at the composite mouldings, find something that will work.  Put it up with Lexel.  Probably could put a piece of lattice above the flange and then lap something like shingle mould in the flange.  The pvc stuff is certainly the best if you can find it.  What are the dimensions of the flange, height and standoff from wall?

    Not a candidate for FHB article but can look like it was planned.

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