Waterproofing is the hidden layer that decides whether a tiled shower or tub surround can really handle water.
If grout keeps cracking, a lower corner stays dark or a ceiling below the bathroom shows a stain, the problem may be behind the tile.
SIG Tile handles waterproofing in Monmouth County, with Renan building the wet-area layer before the finish tile hides it.
Waterproofing belongs behind or under the tile anywhere water can reach. In a bathroom that means shower walls and pans, tub surrounds, corners, seams, niches, benches and drain connections.
Renan treats the waterproofing as one connected layer. In custom tile showers and shower pan replacement, that layer has to tie the walls, base and transitions together before tile starts.
Tile and grout are not enough because water can pass through grout joints, corners and tiny gaps over time. The planned waterproofing layer is what protects the wall or floor structure.
A sheet membrane such as Schluter KERDI is one way Renan builds that layer in showers. For shower-specific details, see shower waterproofing.
Loose tile, dark lower corners, musty smells, recurring grout cracks and stains below a bathroom can point to failed waterproofing. New grout or caulk may hide the symptom without fixing the wet layer.
If those signs are present, Renan may need tile removal to see whether the backer, pan or seams have failed before new tile is installed.
“Absolutely perfect tile installation. Floor to ceiling with not one imperfection. He really cares about his work.”
A waterproof shower has to be continuous at the seams you will not see later.
KERDI works only when every seam, corner and penetration is tied into the same waterproof layer.
Custom tile showers built on a waterproofed system: pans, niches, benches, and curbless designs.
No. Grout can slow water at the surface, but the waterproofing layer belongs behind or under the tile.
Not properly. Real shower waterproofing has to be installed before the tile covers the wet area.
Yes. Niches and benches add corners, shelves and seams, so they have to tie into the same waterproofing layer.
Yes. Renan water-tests every pan once the membrane is on and before tiling starts. If the waterproofing has a weak spot, it shows up then instead of behind finished tile.
Send photos of the shower, lower corners, drain area and any stains, loose tile or cracked grout.
