Sometimes a shower looks perfectly fine on the surface, until you open it up.
That’s exactly what happened on this project. G&H Construction began demolition expecting a fairly standard remodel. Instead, we uncovered construction methods that simply weren’t built to last. Before moving forward with any repairs, we documented everything we found, and more importantly, why it matters to you as a homeowner.
You can see the full breakdown in this shower remodel inspection video, where we walk through the fiberglass pan, the porous bench construction, and what had to be removed to properly assess the structure.
The Shower Pan: A Foundation Built on the Wrong Material
One of the first discoveries was the shower pan, and it raised immediate concerns.
The pan was fiberglass, but not the properly molded, layered fiberglass system you’d find in high-performance marine construction. It was a basic fiberglass base that doesn’t conform the way a traditional mud bed does, and that distinction matters more than most homeowners realize.
A properly built shower pan should:
- Provide a solid, consistent slope toward the drain
- Conform tightly and evenly to the base structure
- Prevent long-term movement, flexing, or cracking
- Fully support the waterproofing system above it
Fiberglass in this application simply doesn’t perform like a mud bed system engineered specifically for tile showers. It may look fine for a few years, but it’s not considered best practice for long-term durability, and over time, the gaps begin to show.
The Shower Bench: When “Covered Up” Isn’t the Same as “Built Right”
The bench was where things became more concerning.
It had been constructed using cinder block, then covered with hardibacker board and tile, a combination that looks solid from the outside. But as G&H Construction removed the layers, visible gaps and structural issues came into focus.
Here’s the core problem: cinder block is highly porous.
In a dry environment, that’s manageable. In a shower, it’s a serious issue. Once water makes its way through grout lines, and over time, it always does, that block will:
- Absorb and retain moisture deep within the structure
- Stay damp for extended periods between uses
- Create ideal conditions for mold growth
- Contribute to long-term structural deterioration
Materials inside a shower assembly must actively manage moisture, not simply conceal it. Covering a porous material in tile doesn’t protect it, it just delays the inevitable.
Why Opening Up the Structure Always Reveals the Real Story
This project is a clear example of why a thorough inspection before rebuilding is non-negotiable.
From the outside, the shower looked complete and functional. But once G&H Construction removed the tile and began pulling back the layers, the true picture emerged, and it was significantly different from what the surface suggested.
At this stage, the team has:
- Removed all existing tile
- Taken apart portions of the bench to expose the underlying structure
- Assessed how far demolition needs to continue for a sound rebuild
- Begun developing proper repair solutions
Nothing moves forward until we fully understand what we’re working with. That’s not just caution, it’s how quality work gets protected.
Rebuilding It Right, and Backing It with a Warranty
The goal here isn’t to patch what failed and move on.
The goal is to deliver a properly built shower system, one designed to perform correctly from the inside out. For G&H Construction, that means:
- Using best-practice construction methods throughout
- Selecting materials that actively manage moisture, not just resist it
- Eliminating porous structural elements from wet assemblies entirely
- Building to a standard that can be backed with a lifetime warranty
Done right the first time will always outperform fixing it later. That’s not a slogan, it’s a lesson this inspection made very clear.
If you’re planning a shower remodel, or you’re concerned about what might be hiding behind your existing tile, the smartest first step is knowing what you’re actually working with.
Thinking About a Shower Remodel, or Worried About What’s Behind Your Tile?
Don’t wait for water damage to tell you the story. G&H Construction offers thorough pre-construction inspections that uncover problems before they become expensive surprises.
📞 Contact G&H Construction today to schedule your consultation and get it built right from the start.
