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SHOWER FLOOR - CERAMIC TILE / MARBLE TUB / SHOWER FLOOR home inspectorsUsually the best method of testing a shower pan is to stop up the drain with tissue paper and fill the pan up to the top of the dam. After about 15 minutes water will be noted under the building or around the pan, if the pan liner or drain connection has failed. This "flood test" should not be attempted if there are rooms below the shower. Be aware that the inspector cannot ascertain whether the shower pan leaks unless the leak is evident. Flood testing of the pan is not performed by the building inspection company. There have been many documented cases where flood testing showed a false positive result. Water can take many hours to work its way through the flooring and pan liner material. Soap and other debris may hold back the water until the soap softens; it will then will break loose and allow the leak to come through. Sometimes this process can take one or two days and often requires a second and third flood test or more. The "bottom line" is...a simple single flood test is rarely conclusive as to whether there is a pan liner failure. Under most circumstances flood testing is performed by the pest inspector (if a pest inspection is called for). Generally, no inspector will flood test shower pans which are installed over finished or unfinished rooms below. Any leaks resulting from the flood test would damage walls and ceilings of the rooms below. Please contact the inspection company should you need further information regarding this limitation. If leaks are noted in ceramic tile, marble or granite pans contact a Ceramic Tile Contractor for repairs. Expect repairs to run from $300.00 to $900.00 and up.
File last updated February 08, 2012 * Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved by: Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm 56 Woodland Drive, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) NJ 07424 973-812-5100 providing New Jersey Certified Home Inspections in NJ, by New Jersey Licensed home inspectors. Inspector of record Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector License GI 0121.
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