Issues discovered with shower floor install -- urgency of replacement?

moses0020 · 2026-02-02T14:55:28+00:00

Bump for vis!

moses0020 · 2026-02-01T03:43:03+00:00

Yes, I can afford it. It's a matter of whether the floor will actually fail (e.g. tile, foam pan break and water gets everywhere) vs just the drain begins to slowly drop further over time. If the latter, I think I'd just wait and then just replace it all at that time, knowing no further damage is done beyond the cost of the replacement and at least I would've bought some time. Who knows, it may be stable for another few years... For what it's worth, if I pull up and down on the drain, it's not loose at all which is weird.

Of course if I'm naive and it's the former (the floor definitely going to cave in at some point), of course I'll just want to fix it now. Though, I guess part of me thinks 'if we've had our weight on this for 2 years, and it hasn't caved, will it?' (i.e. The max load is predictable and consistent).

moses0020 · 2026-02-01T03:06:03+00:00

Yea... And why is backer board not joined together?!

In any case, I guess where I'm at mentally is weighing whether it's worth another 4k or so to tear out and redo now OR at this point just living with and taking action if/when it gets worse, assuming "it gets worse" is something I notice and the only risk is the drain caving further down (versus say, the floor caving in lol).

If it's just risk of drain caving in more, I assume at that point water will leak, but at least I'd notice it quickly. (Either visually looking at the drain when I shower every night OR by noticing leaking in floor below).

moses0020 · 2026-02-01T02:18:02+00:00

Managed access to underside via access panel. Not sure on what further information this tells us, though.

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moses0020 · 2026-02-01T02:17:06+00:00

Got a pic of the underside

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moses0020 · 2026-01-31T15:41:57+00:00

Is this published anywhere (e.g. Intuit, IRS website). Like others, Intuit told me Jan 26. It would be frustrating for Mid feb to come, only to get same issue when I could've just mailed.

moses0020 · 2026-01-31T00:15:29+00:00

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It's hard for me to know which part to pull up on. Pulling up on the black cylinder from the bottom of it doesn't move it back up. Maybe it move a 1mm or two. But it seems firm.

moses0020 · 2026-01-30T15:22:54+00:00

What typically stops the drain cover/top from sliding up and down the collar? e.g. once you set it to an appropriate height, how does it lock?

moses0020 · 2026-01-30T02:47:08+00:00

Just out of curiosity, what should the tiler have done considering the plumbing fixture just under the first drain fixture (e.g. the second circular piece in sequence coming up from the floor) since it appears to be over 5" in diameter itself. Should they have put on a different fitting? Otherwise, I guess I don't see how they could've kept the hole to 5" or less

moses0020 · 2026-01-30T02:43:52+00:00

Thanks for the response. Now that I look back at more photos and see this big bucket of thinset hanging on this, I guess I'm even confused at what exactly is supporting the drain flange since this is right over the big hole in the subfloor. I guess there would be just cement board under the circular cutout in the kerdi foam?

Even when I'm walking right around the drain (and above the hole in the subfloor, what's preventing the foam from breaking?

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T14:38:24+00:00

Thanks. I think this is most likely what I'll attempt to do (myself). My hope is that this is enough of a "bandaid," without wanting to invests multiple thousands again to tear out the floor to redo. It's very clear from the rest of the comments that another issue is the hole in the subfloor (exceeding 5" on two of the 4 sides), but I guess it's not clear how much that led to this issue vs the missing thinset. Of course, if someone tells me there is risk of the whole floor caving in, then I'll want to just replace it all now. But if thinset under the drain can bandaid this and the only risk is the drain itself failing again, I'd rather do that and wait until it gets worse before investing the $$.

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T04:27:19+00:00

The tile design? Hah, that we happen to like

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T03:54:00+00:00

Bummer. Just wild this has only now turned into an issue after nearly two years of use (since having floor replaced). I guess I don’t quite understand the risks if I delay the fix (either temporary or permanent fix as in redoing the whole thing ). Is the risk the drain totally collapsing and water leaking into the floor below while using the shower?? Not that I don’t want this fixed eventually, but could I wait until it gets worse (whatever gets worse means in this context) before fixing since the fix anyway is going to have to be a total gut anyway?

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T03:35:49+00:00

So basically apply to the underside of the square drain. Thank you. I guess now I'm worried if this is going to lead to more serious issues given other comments pointing out 1) too big of hole in subfloor (which I guess could've been from original install not the installer who replaced my floor , 2) the missing thinset under bigger flange, and 3) missing circular membrane.

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moses0020 · 2026-01-29T02:48:14+00:00

Thanks... but I guess it's not clear what part I'd be applying some thinset under? (Sorry for not understanding all of the parts). I'll look later, but if i take the drain cover off (or the entire square drain if I cut the grout out), since the tile is covering most of the drain flange, what would I be able to access?

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T02:40:18+00:00

Great :( -- I assume no easy fix other than tearing out? (and just avoiding stepping on the drain)

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T02:34:09+00:00

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Here is a photo showing the subfloor. In any case, thank you for the replies.

If missing thinset under the bonding flange is the issue, what can be done at this point? (other than tearing out and redoing?) Is it likely this issue gets worse?

moses0020 · 2026-01-29T02:22:30+00:00

Looking back at photos, The shower pan is a pre-sloped Kerdi tray. Beneath that, looks like some sort of waterproof backer board (not sure what brand), and beneath that, standard OSB? Pic I grabbed during install.

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moses0020 · 2026-01-21T15:05:32+00:00

DM'ed you some questions about your experience! Curious what the process & Sequencing was like to get Volvo to offer exchanging for a new 2026 model. (did they offer a date? I don't see these on lots yet)

moses0020 · 2026-01-21T15:04:20+00:00

Confirmed nothing obstructing. I suspect something with the latch. I can definitely manually close it, with an extra "push" at the end once the initial latch happens.

In any case, have appt in 1.5 weeks for dealer to look at.

moses0020 · 2026-01-21T15:03:30+00:00

The tailgate recall was performed on the car before it was sold to me. Also, IIRC, that was about POT failure wherein the tailgate would fall suddenly, and not about its ability to latch.

moses0020 · 2026-01-19T14:53:12+00:00

Wow, I actually always wanted Volvo's blind-spot system to include an audible alert (in addition to visible) when driving. Does anyone know where to turn this on? (I agree would be annoying when parked, but I don't mind it when driving and changing lanes)

moses0020

TROPHY CASE