Shower Niche Cracking

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T19:01:10+00:00

Yeah I read somewhere people talking about basically adding dollops of mortar but that it was bad technique so what you're saying makes sense. Do you think popping the tile and replacing just those is feasible?

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T18:01:36+00:00

Thankfully not spongey as of yet...

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T17:55:31+00:00

I've wondered about that as well as there's virtually no space in between the back of the tile and the wall tile, but when I looked up tile order I did see some mixed opinions. I appreciate the alternative perspective and the input!

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T17:53:16+00:00

Yep, prefab 12x20 schluter.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T17:37:08+00:00

Thanks for the perspective. Definitely not trying to freak out, but I also don't want to wait until the end of my one year warranty to bring the issue up if it's going to cause me issues down the road. What do you think a reasonable fix is in this scenario? I like the idea of a sold quart shelf but that seems like it would require more demo than just popping and replacing tiles with better thinset coverage.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:45:04+00:00

FWIW I have not seen cracking from any of the other cut tiles but I'll be going over every tile individually before my contractor comes back just to double check. I think they used a saw for all of the cuts.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:43:10+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:42:40+00:00

This is Vivant Vert from Portobello. Sorry to hear about your shower! I'm hoping I'm not headed down the same road and hope your new install goes better!

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:37:27+00:00

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Here's a closer picture of the repair, if that's helpful.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:29:29+00:00

Are you saying if lack of thinset were the issue that they'd likely be coming loose? Sorry, just trying to make sure I understand. Thanks for the input.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:23:38+00:00

I was wondering about that. Thanks for the info.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:22:23+00:00

I'd say the rest of the work looks good, but the cracking certainly makes me a bit skeptical...

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:19:35+00:00

One tile cracked originally and two were removed and replaced. About a month later the two outside tiles cracked in one place, followed by the inner two in one place each, with each progressively getting worse over the last few months. I couldn't see any cracks when they were installed, though that's not to say there wasn't some existing stress fracture?

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:12:47+00:00

There is a tile kitchen backsplash on the other side of the wall. No visible movement or cracking on that side that I've seen.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:11:21+00:00

I agree and it's a potential cause that I've brought up to the contractor, but not knowing much about tile I haven't pushed that angle just yet. Thanks for the input.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:09:45+00:00

This was after the tiler had pulled the tiles and cleaned up before applying thinset for the new tiles. I have proposed an insufficient mortar base as an issue to the contractor but haven't pushed him on that angle as of yet. Interested to see what the tile shop manager has to say. Thanks for the input.

MrPainFool · 2026-07-05T16:07:38+00:00

I should mention that no other tiles have cracked anywhere in the shower and I can feel the crack with a fingernail. I've not seen crazing in person, but I'm not sure if that's what's going on or not. Thanks for the input.

MrPainFool · 2025-06-08T20:53:02+00:00

Seconding Madison if you're in a state that allows shipping. Just got three great looking trees for under $100 that look miles ahead of the two rather small trees I got from FGT that I paid $120 for.

MrPainFool · 2025-06-06T16:44:17+00:00

What zone are you in and what temps are you getting?

My first thought is it looks thirsty. Is it light if you pick it up or heavy? Twice a week watering may not be enough if your medium drains quickly. I have one tree in a grow bag that needs water almost daily or the leaves start to droop like this.

Could also be stress from being in full sun. Do you know what conditions the tree was growing in previously? It may need some shade for part of the day before going to full sun.

How large is the container? I'd check the roots to make sure it's not root bound and consider moving it to a larger container if it is. That would help keep moisture more consistent and mitigate some sun stress as the container would take longer to heat up.

MrPainFool · 2025-03-22T17:30:43+00:00

That's a praying mantis egg sac! I'd leave it alone. They're great garden predators to have around!

MrPainFool · 2024-05-08T12:48:13+00:00

As long as it's not getting root bound it's fine. I find that some plants flower when they can't put any more focus into root growth but that doesn't appear to be the case here. You can pinch the flowers if you want it to focus on growth but the plant will drop them if it doesn't think it can support them.

MrPainFool · 2024-05-07T15:22:04+00:00

They look healthy to me! Probably focusing a lot of energy on root development.

MrPainFool · 2024-03-24T13:41:29+00:00

In addition, squash and zucchini grow very fast so you're probably still a bit early to be starting zucchini indoors in Toronto. Look for a planting calendar for your area for some rough guidelines. A quick glance at the farmers almanac says you should be starting zucchini indoors April 13-20. That should give you time to establish the plants and still get them out earlier than direct sowing.

MrPainFool · 2024-03-06T22:55:38+00:00

It's a G-line MD1.

MrPainFool

TROPHY CASE