How poor quality work lead to shower waterproofing & tiling issues
We pull our hair out every time we come across one of these jobs. Nu-Trend has a team of plumbers & bathroom renovators in Sydney & we are asked to quote on all types of jobs every day. We are not cheap, will never promise to be the cheapest & spend a lot of time trying to educate people on the dangers of choosing a quote just because it is a low cost presented.
Think about it – how can it be possible for one or two trades to be so much cheaper than everyone else? There is always a reason.
Below is another example of a job we missed out on, but the owner called us a few months later because their new shower they had installed in their home in Bexley had developed all sorts of waterproofing issues. The concerns had become so bad there is now a case going before NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) who provide specialist tribunal services to help people resolve an issue or dispute fairly and according to the law.
What was required for this shower bathroom plumbing in Bexley?
The owner wanted to replace a shower cubicle that had failed, that’s right, they already had issues in the bathroom plumbing that needed to be resolved. The home owner got multiple quotations and we even provided a free measure and quote for his site, but we found out later we were nearly double the other prices quoted.
In the end they spent $5,560 to have the existing shower stripped from the room and a new one reinstated.
To some people this might seem reasonable, but you have to consider the amount of work involved to do this properly because it is essentially a mini bathroom renovation considering it involves dealing with things like tiling and waterproofing. Our typical scope of work would include;
- Demolition
- Rubbish removal
- End to end project management
- Drop sheeting
- Rendering
- Preparation
- Priming
- Water proofing
- Tiling
- Plumbing
- Tile supply
- New custom made drain waste
- New custom made shower screen
What were all the issues with this shower bathroom plumbing we found?
- Shower floor tiles are picture framing indicating water proofing was not applied correctly, or had adequate time to dry
- Shower floor tiles are bouncy and feel like water may be waterlogged under them. This could be due to water proofing issues or tile glue not installed correctly
- Floor waste appears to have no water proofing flange installed during water proofing
- Mold on shower screen door. We presume this is due to the amount of water trapped beneath the door and tiles.
- Shower floor is raised higher than existing bathroom floor, with no brick tile hob step up to tank the shower
- Shower angle water stops are in the wrong spot, allowing water to leak under the shower screen door and into the bathroom
- Excessive Silicone has been used everywhere, to try and patch leaking angles, door, screen and tiles
- Shower Door is not custom made to fit the cubicle, resulting in large and excessive silicone beads to try to minimise leaks
- Finishes are terrible and not to trade standard. The cubicle does not blend into the existing bathroom, resulting in large silicone beads to cover messy tile finishes, and exposed cut tile edges. The work does not look like it has been done by an experienced licensed tradesmen.
- Bathroom floor gets covered in water when shower is in use
What is needed to repair this bathroom shower properly?
After seeing the state of this bathroom our suggestion is to completely demolish the shower cubicle and start again. The cost to do so would range between $13,000 and $14,000 for this shower. This would involve demolition, allowance for plumbing provision, possible installation of a tiled hob when entering shower due to existing floor heights, waterproofing, tiling, custom shower screen, dispose of trade waste etc.
Some floor and wall tiles outside the cubicle may need to be replaced to warrant water proofing and cannot be guaranteed to exactly match unfortunately which is always hard with old vs new renovations.
The better alternative would be a complete bathroom renovation and the cost would range between $25,000 and $30,000. This would be the preferred option as the entire bathroom could be warranted and guaranteed, but also add value to the property vs a repair job.
READ OUR FREE GUIDE
How to avoid Sydney Plumber sales gimmicks
We uncover some of the most common sales gimmicks used by Sydney plumbers & explain how you can avoid getting ripped off when getting quotes
Renovation to replace a bath with a walk in shower in a unit
We completely renovated this unit to remove the bath and replace it with a new walk in shower, new tiling, vanity & toilet.
Making a bathroom with bath and shower larger in Sylvania Waters
We made this bathroom bigger so that there was more space for the walk in shower and free standing bath to be installed
Toilet converted to an ensuite bathroom with shower in Sylvania Waters
We converted a single toilet into a new bathroom with walk in shower & vanity to create an ensuite for this property in Silvania
Powder room converted into a new bathroom with shower
For this double renovation, we converted a powder room into a new bathroom & completely renovated the master as well with the ThinkDzine Interior Design team.
Laundry moved for a bathroom renovation in Randwick
We removed the concealed laundry in this bathroom to create a separate powder room & new floor plan.
Ensuite bathroom renovation for a Strathfield townhouse
We made this ensuite feel like a master bathroom with the owner of this townhouse renovating property with new vanity, toilet, tiles and shower
Master bathroom renovation for a Strathfield townhouse
This was a great project to work on with the other of this townhouse renovating their master bathroom with a new bath tub and terrazzo floor tiles
Bathroom renovation with combined shower and bath
A complete bathroom renovation in Monterey where we installed a new combined bath and shower, vanity, toilet and new tiling.
Complete Bathroom Renovation in Sydney With Terrazo Floor Tiles
An Adore Magazine inspired bathroom renovation with products from Pheonix, Laughlin, Caroma & Tile Cloud
Luxury Bathroom Renovation With Pietro Lombarda Tiling
We transformed this cold, dark, ugly small bathroom into a luxurious, warm and inviting room using Pietro Lombarda Tiles
Small Bathroom Renovation With Walk In Shower
We renovated this 1980’s style small bathroom in Sydney using quality products from The Bathroom Collective
Luxury Master Bathroom Designed by Boffi
A beautiful master bathroom with huge walk in shower designed by Boffi Designs in Sydney
Master Bathroom Renovation With Victoria Albert Bath Tub
An incredible master bathroom renovation with a feature piece, an beautiful Victoria Albert bath tub that sets off this room.
Marble Look Bathroom Renovation in Sylvania
A bathroom renovation using marble look porcelain tiles with walk in shower, toilet and vanity.
Ensuite Bathroom Renovation Designed by Boffi
Every inch of this ensuite bathroom was a mastermind design from Boffi that had no expense spared.
Unit Small Bathroom Renovation in Gymea
We changed the floor plan of this small bathroom in Gymea unit and moved the toilet, shower and vanity to create a more open space.
Luxury Shower Renovation With A Bath Tub
A full bathroom renovation using products from Bathroom Collective to renovate this bathroom with combo shower & bath
Luxury Unit Bathroom Renovation with Candana Sink
A luxury unit bathroom renovation using a Candana Basin and glass mosaic tiles from Artedomus
Small Bathroom with walk in shower
A small bathroom designed by ThinkDzine with ABI Interiors Tapware, Just In Place timber vanity & Surface Studio Stone Argento Tiles
Small Bathroom Renovation with custom designed vanity
We renovated this ensuite bathroom that included a hand crafted vanity from leading Australian manufacturer ADP
Master Bathroom With Freestanding Bath & Shower
We renovated this master bathroom in Kyle Bay with a free-standing bathtub, corner shower and double vanity unit with a crisp white design.
Local | Licensed | Insured
Local Sydney contractors.
FULLY LICENCED 217859C
A qualified and licensed renovator.
INSURED $20,000,000
Public liability insurance for peace of mind.
Drainer | gas fitter | plumber | renovator
Nu-Trend is a Sydney company with more than 15 years experience completing bathroom renovations & solving plumbing problems. he Directors Rob and Rick are hands-on, and provide a personalised service.
STANDARDS AUSTRALIA AS/NZS3500:2018 Compliant
All the work carried out by Nu-Trend is AS/NZ3500:2018 compliant. It is the Australian Standard for Plumbing and Drainage in NSW as set down by Standards Australia and the Australian Building Codes Board. They give the plumbing industry technical direction to enable compliance with required regulatory frameworks.
15 years experience with a written commitment.
Rick and Rob are the hands-on directors for Nu-Trend. Rather than hire sub-contractors and manage their business from a distant office, they are on the tools, at your site & working towards delivering your bathroom renovation or plumbing service. It means you are talking directly to the owners of the business, the guys who are accountable and responsible rather than via email or through customer service teams.
It is why they are able to provide a written guarantee that demonstrates their confidence in standing by the quality of their workmanship and the service they deliver to every single client.
They have a very single minded commitment to deliver a high level of professionalism and quality, they’ve been doing renovation contracting in Sydney for 15+ years.
