Shower tile installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What shower tile installation is

Shower tile installation waterproofs the walls and floor of a shower, sets tile on a sloped pan, grouts and seals the surface, and finishes niches, benches and trim so water stays inside the enclosure. People need it when the shower leaks, the tile is loose or cracked, or the shower is being rebuilt as part of a bathroom remodel.

Signs you need it

  • Water is staining the ceiling or the wall in the room below the shower
  • Grout is cracked or missing near the shower floor, the corners or the valve
  • Tiles sound hollow, have moved or have come loose from the wall
  • The shower floor puddles or drains slowly, which can mean the slope or the drain is wrong
  • You want a curbless or walk-in shower, which needs a new pan and a different slope

What the pro does

  • Remove the old tile, the backer and the shower pan, and inspect the framing and the wall studs for rot
  • Repair any damaged framing or sheathing, and replace the rotted blocking before waterproofing begins
  • Install the waterproof membrane on the walls and floor, sealing the corners, the valve and the niche openings
  • Build a sloped mortar bed or set a pre-sloped pan so the water runs to the drain, then flood test the pan
  • Set the tile on the walls and floor with the thinset the product calls for, and fit the niches, benches and trim
  • Grout and seal the tile, install the shower door or curtain rod, and run a water test before the room is used

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Shower size and whether it is a tub surround, a stall or a curbless walk-in
  • Waterproofing system chosen, such as a sheet membrane, a liquid membrane or a board system
  • Amount of framing or sheathing repair found behind the walls
  • Tile type and size, and the number of niches, benches and trim pieces included
  • Drain type and the slope needed, including whether the drain has to move
  • Access to the shower and whether the tub, the valve or the plumbing has to be changed

What a written quote should spell out

  • Waterproofing product name, the membrane location and the flood test method
  • Pan type or the mortar bed method, with the drain and the slope described
  • Tile, grout, sealer and trim named with the number of pieces and the color
  • Framing and sheathing repairs listed as their own line, with the reason for each
  • Water test steps and the warranty on the waterproofing, stated clearly

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What waterproofing system do you use, and where does the membrane go?
  • How do you test the pan for leaks before the tile goes on?
  • What do you do if you find rot behind the wall or under the pan?
  • How do you slope the floor to the drain, and how do you check the slope?
  • What grout and sealer do you use in a shower, and how often do I reseal?
  • Can you show me a shower you waterproofed and tiled with a similar pan and niche?

Red flags

  • The pro sets tile over the old membrane or the old backer without removing them
  • The pro does not flood test the pan and says the tile is waterproof on its own
  • The pro uses cement board with no membrane on the walls or the floor
  • The pro wants payment for most of the job before the pan has been tested

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can clean and grout a shower that already has a sound waterproof base, and can replace a caulk line or a niche shelf. Waterproofing, moving or setting a pan, and any work behind the walls should be done by an experienced installer, because a leak in a shower may not show for months and can rot the framing below.

Licenses and permits

Shower waterproofing and tile commonly do not need a license in many areas, but plumbing changes to the drain and valve may require licensed plumbers and permits. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before you change the drain or the valve.

Shower tile installation questions

Can I tile over the old shower walls?

Only if the walls are sound, flat and fully waterproofed. Tiling over old tile with a leak behind it hides the damage and makes it worse. Ask the pro to open the wall and check the framing if there is any sign of water.

What is a flood test?

The pan is filled with water to a set depth and left for a period to check for leaks before the tile is set. Ask the pro to run the test and show you the result.

Should I choose a curbless shower?

A curbless shower is easier to step into but needs a deeper floor build and a more careful slope. Ask the pro how the slope and the drain are planned and what the floor build does to the room.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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