Why People Typically Contact Me for Shower Tile Repair
There are two main reasons homeowners reach out for shower tile repairs:
A plumber had to cut into the shower wall to replace a faucet or fix a leaking pipe.
I remove the damaged tile and backer board, replace both, and seamlessly reinstall new tile and grout.
The goal: Make it look like the repair never happened.
Many homeowners don’t realize they have water damage when they first notice mildewed grout, missing caulking, or crumbling grout. These issues are often early warning signs of moisture seeping behind the tiles. It’s usually only when tiles become loose or fall off that the extent of the damage becomes clear. What may seem like minor surface problems often indicate hidden water damage behind the wall.
Older tub showers were commonly built with sheetrock or green board, materials that are not truly water-resistant. Over time, moisture seeps in, weakening the backerboard behind the tiles and causing them to detach.
When the tiles are removed, the damage often resembles the before photos in my repair gallery. If the sheetrock is deteriorated, attempting to reinstall tiles on it won’t work—they won’t adhere properly, leading to further damage.
To fix this, I remove the damaged section, install durable cement board, and properly seal the transition before retiling and regrouting. This not only restores the shower but also eliminates future weak points and extends its lifespan.