When I moved into my flat a few years back, I learned a number of tiles were loose-fitting on the shower base. The base is a elevated tiled area which matches the rest of the tiles in the room. After some investigating, I discovered that the loose tiles were brought on by the base having shifted.
It was caused by water breaking through the shower base and destroying the polystyrene underneath. After speaking with a few people I realised the entire shower base needed getting rid of. Initially my intention was to install a shower tray. Working with bathroom products, I know top quality shower trays can be purchased at affordable prices. Being fairly straightforward, I also thought it would be easier and less costly to install this myself. However, after some quotes and negative reactions to my plan of action, I decided to go with a bathroom contractor to fix together a new tiled shower base.
This new base meant me searching for a tile that suited the design of my bathroom. It was a completely useless and time wasting experience. Fortunately, after what seemed like forever, I located the perfect matching tile and was able to begin the process of building the new shower enclosure floor. For numerous reasons, the build took longer than expected, meaning I was without a shower and left with a chaotic bathroom for over a month. Thankfully the build was eventually finished. At least it was for 12 months…
A year later the shower base tiles started to become loose again! By consulting the same company I learned that the tiles put in place in property originally were not actually appropriate for the work that had taken place. For the second time, I was considering a shower tray and once again the installer changed my mind by offering to carry out the work for free. The job involved tiling over the current base with better suited tiles.
The result meant that £1,700 and two years later I was left looking for tiles with better, longer lasting results. The procedure of listening to inconsistent tips from shop staff, friends and family began once again. In the end, three weeks down the line (and £300 later) I purchased some more heavy duty (an non-matching) tiles.
To summarise – I am now £2,000 and two and a half years into my bathroom reconstruction with non matching tiles and a shower base which I’m fearful to put weight on in case it should move. I can’t expect everyone to suffer the same problem but seeing as the tray required (the Rectangular Shower Tray) would have only cost £89.99 from BestBathrooms and would not have caused the extreme hassle, next time I’m buying a shower tray and sticking with my instincts.
