Tip on inspecting cultured marble showers

[Dan Harris]

At IW this week I was talking to a few guys and the discussion came up about showers.

I asked a few guys if they checked to make sure cultured marble walls were properly secured to the drywall.. A few sated No.

If your not doing it, it's a good idea to start, because once a panel comes loose it will bow and crack.. When that happens, if it's the rear panel the entire shower enclosure will need to be replaced. If the shower is more than a few months old, the color of the existing-other panels cannot be matched.
If it's a custom shower with a custom door it can be very costly to correct if you get a complaint.

I've been doing it ever since I've been is this business due to having to replace several entire showers due to my installers, [in my prior life] not using the correct glue or not cleaning the dust off the walls before setting the panels.
Since being in this business I find apx 30% of the CM showers I inspect have loose panels..

[Billy Stephens]

Thanks Dan,

Do ya Just thump em like a Mellon and listen for a Hollow sound ? :)
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[Dan Harris]

Thanks Dan,

Do ya Just thump em like a Mellon and listen for a Hollow sound ? :)
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I just push on them.. If they are just loose and not bowed they can often be properly secured by cutting the caulking on top, and carefully bow them out 1-2", just enough to squirt a couple tubes of silicone caulking behind the panel and brace it for a couple days.
Another way to secure them is by installing one or two grab bars.

[Billy Stephens]

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I just push on them..
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Another way to secure them is by installing one or two grab bars.
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Anything Special as to Sealing the installation holes ?
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[Dan Harris]

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Anything Special as to Sealing the installation holes ?
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Hmm I don't remember. :) I think just silicone..
I do know you do need to drill the screw hole a little larger than the screw or the panel will crack. :)

[Jerry McCarthy]

Pushing on CM walls is not any different than pushing on ceramic tiled walls. Just because it visually looks good is not good enough. :o :( :rolleyes: :cool: :eek: