New Jersey
home inspection NJ home
inspectors perform
Certified New Jersey home
inspections in NJ.
Cultured marble shower pan, / acrylic bath tub, acrylic shower pan: These are
prefabricated (actually precast) units which
come in many color variations, often with
"swirls" and patterns. Their
characteristics and care are quite similar to
that of fiberglass. Acrylic materials which look
like "cultured marble" but that are
far more expensive and durable are available.
One of these is Dupont Corian ®. These
materials can usually be repaired by the
homeowner if burned or scratched. The color in
these materials and their usable surface extends
completely through the material as opposed to a
fraction of an inch of usable surface on plastic
resin type materials. This allows the user to
"sand" or scour the burn or scratch
off the surface. 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. 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 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.
