Shower Tiles Getting Loose? This Is Most Likely Why

In this example, you can see what was causing the loose tile. Old Termite damage now occupied with some kind of strange little tiny ant. We advise homeowners to call in professional exterminators, then we tear out the damage and replace it. 



I was tasked with removing carpet, tack strip, pad, and any old vinyl and two toilets. Then, install 12x12 tile, grout, set toilets, install tackstrip at doorways, set carpet in two bathrooms then go on to project #2.



Loose Shower tile repair. After doing many of these recently here are some fairly accurate numbers. About 80% are infested with some kind of wood eating critter. Thus about 80% required a complete tearout and rebuild. The cost for this starts at about $1400 and a good average using builder 6x6 "el cheapo" tile running over $1700.

Here are the things that raise the costs of rebuilding your shower.

1. Upgraded tile or Natural Stone, better grade materials

2. Design elements (mosaics etc)

3. Niches (always advised)

4. Upgraded plumbing fixtures

5. Replacement of structural wood like bottom plate and studs

6. Other trades like Exterminator, plumber

7. Painting for trim and base

8. New enclosure

9. Change in design or Motif

10. Bringing up to code

11. Install new tub, shower pan

12. Demolition

OK, looking at these issues I have seen a modest $1600 repair run up to about $3500 very easily. A standard tub enclosure with no structural repairs but installing better tile, curved shower curtain rod, new modest plumbing fixtures with no design element or niche is right at $1800 to $2100 in these parts. Yea, some guys can and will do it for less but this is an accurate number here and now.



Think about this for a moment, my truck gets 14 mpg. A round trip to a job and back is averaging about 48 miles. At .29 cents a mile that is $13.92 per day in fuel alone. If I spend 5 days on a job that is $69.60 and I am not counting oil changes, insurance etc. So as we all are being hit with this insane economy we are forced to charge a bit more for general services.



Let's start with item #1 from the list of 12 above in more detail.



It is advisable to go with better, bigger, and thicker tile for your shower enclosure. Bigger tiles mean fewer grout lines and thicker tile means thicker grout that will last a lot longer.



Item #2 Adding a color stripe or mosaic strip in strategic places can give your shower some pizazz, interest and an artsy attractive flair. I highly advise adding some kind of mosaic into any shower enclosure to break it out of the same dull and boring 4x4 white builder grade ceramic tile.



Item #3 Niches, Niches are cool, aren't too expensive, $75 to $150 depending upon tile and design plan. Niches have a wonderful function and are worth every penny. They are an attractive alternative to clutter aroung the edge of your shower.



Item #4 Thinking of upgrading your plumbing?, now is the time to get that new set and forget mixer valve. Be it Chrome, Oil Rubbed Bronze, or Brushed Nickle, do it now because to do it later most likely will include tearing up some of your new tile to install it. And more money of course.

Item #5 We frequently find wood so damaged by bugs, dry rot or mold that it simply has to be replaced. Replacing a stud in a wall is an expensive proposition and here is why, If termites destroyed some studs and need to be replaced there is a better than 50-50 chance that it is on an inside wall in the house like a bedroom for example. When the stud is removed there are nails in from the bedroom side as well as the bathroom side. So expect damage in a room that right now may not have any, The sheetrock nails sometimes will not hurt it but expect it. Expect to pay $50 to $60 dollars a stud to remove and replace them. And I say them because if you are in a corner or there is a T, you will have at least two or three studs per corner or T. These are necessary structural members and cost a lot to remove and replace.



Platestock that is under the studs is replaced with pressure treated lumber and you can expect to pay at least $10 to $12 or more per foot to remove and replace that lumber. If we have to go get unexpected materials to get the job done right a run to the hardware store can run $100 easily not counting materials.



Item #6 Other tradesmen like a licensed plumber might be needed to remove and replace the toilet and that runs about $155 and up. Installing the tub shower mixer valve will drive the cost up by about 20% or more of the total estimate. Painters to fix damaged sheetrock, nail pops and holes, texturing, and trim paint. An electrician might be needed to add lighting or move wiring.



Item #7 Painting the trim is something often overlooked. Most of the time when we remove the base or trim something is going to get scratched or broken and here is why. Give a knuckle dragging Neanderthal trim carpenter and air gun to shoot your trim on and you will find their creed it this, if one fast air driven nail is good, then why not 50? I swear some of the base I have removed with much difficulty had enough brads in it to build the house. New base or trim will need painting.



Item #8 A new glass enclosure will run you installed about $500 with a frame. A frameless Glass shower enclosure will start at about a $1100 and goes up considerably. I've installed a a whole lot of round or curved shower rods and Expect to pay anywhere from $35 and up plus about $85 to install a rod that requires holes to be drilled for install. If it is Porcelain Tile, you can easily double that and here is why. It's extremely hard and very difficult to drill through. It is very hard on tool bits that require replacement and are expensive.



Item #9 If you are planning a design change to modern looking fixtures or going for that retro look, changing the architectural, visual, or emotional design, new applications will cost more. Fixtures start at about $125 on the low end and up not counting install.



Item #10 common issues we have to resolve that are new code directives can be a challenge. Take "fart fan" or the fan that evacuates moisture and smell from the bathroom for example, it used to be that we could cut a hole in the bath ceiling, run a wire from a switch near the light switch and run the vent tube into the attic. Today's new code requires we now have to rout the fan vent line through the attic and through the roof! There are other codes and do vary from state to state but compliance can run into the hundreds.



Item #11 If you eliminate the tub and opt for a full shower instead that will mean a shower pan. This will run you about $350 and up no matter how small or large. We frequently find drain lines encased in concrete where there should be soil and busting that out is going to cost extra labor. Count on at least $200 per day per person and any rented heavy equipment necessary. If we have to install a standard tub after removing the old one expect to pay around $200 for that. Removing a cast iron tub will cost you much more.



Item #12 Demolition. This needs to be done carefully really. You see these knuckleheads on HGTV and DIY gripping a sledge hammer or crow bar and begin bashing the hell out of walls, tile and sheetrock. You can save a lot of time, money, and materials if you plan your demolition and be careful about it. Use gloves, eye protection and a simple respirator. A demolition of bathroom flooring, say carpet and or linoleum should run about $180 at least and more if the toilet is removed and more yet if the base is pulled. Expect to pay around $250 to demo a bathroom floor. If it is tile that needs replacing it will be more. Demolition of a 5 foot x three foot tub enclosure should run about $350 to start with. Remember, when the material leaves your home, it still has to carried to a landfill and disposed of and more costs may be involved there. Also, do not expect no other damage to occur in  a demolition. Always plan on some repairs not expected. 





So as you can see, a relatively small tile crack can be a sign you are going to get a new bathroom. Loose tile indicates a subsurface issue that needs correction immediately. The problem is guaranteed to do one thing, get worse.