Forgot to install corner shower seat - now what

[rlw1966]

I am tiling a shower using 12x24 travertine on the walls. I had a corner seat cut (16" on each edge) that matches the vanity out of 1.25" stone. Last weekend I installed the first couple of rows and forgot to install the corner seat. Started tiling at the second row so I am now at 36" - a bit high for the shower seat. My plan was to install it on top of the second row of tile at about 24" which seems to work for leg shaving.

Just looking for advice on how to correct this problem. I'm considering not installing it at all but really wanted it. Was thinking maybe I could cut the tile in the spot where I could slip in the seat using a 4" grinder but can't imagine how to finish the cut where I can't fit the grinder.

Used redgard so am a bit concerned about ruining that. Would have to remove 3 full tile if I went that route and they currently look really good

[jadnashua]

Are you willing to have the bench a bit thicker? I ask because you can install the BetterBench on TOP of the existing tile. You'd put your slab on top of it, then need to also cover the front lip with either tile or another piece of stone (it's about 2.5" thick - that's a guess). The BetterBench can be installed before or after the wall tiles are installed. They come in several corner sizes...you'd have to look to see if one is close to what you have for your slab.

The last one I installed went up after the walls were tiled, and it's worked out fine for probably the 5-6 years since installed. The thing is essentially a metal box that gets bolted through the wall (if you hit a stud, good, but it will work with just molly bolts through the wall as well), then filled with deckmud. Once that's set, you add your covering to finish it off.

[pgc555]

Rick,
This MIGHT be another option for you? http://www.wedishowersystems.com/wedi-backer-board/

[Kman]

Welcome to the forum, Rick.

Could you possible have two more pieces cut that are +/- 16x24" and set one on either side of that corner, then set the bench on top of them? The two rectangular pieces could bond to the wall with thinset mortar or epoxy, and the bench could bond to those two pieces and the wall with the same adhesive.

[rlw1966]

thanks for the input. my seat is a pie shape so the betterbench does not seems to be an option. don't want to build the bench down to the floor - pretty small shower and don't want to take that much room.

could have a couple more pieces cut (maybe if they still have that stone) - would that adhere to the tile in place well enough?

any comments on cutting the tile in place to slip in the seat? how could I cut the corners with so I end up with a clean cut-out? what happens to the redgard if I scrape off the thinset in the opening? I assume I can control the cut enough so I don't cut through the redgard...

[jadnashua]

I think trying to cut the existing tile in place while making it neat is not likely to happen! You'd probably damage the RedGard, but probably could paint on some new.

How thick is the piece you want to install?

You could probably use KerdiFix to bond a ledger to the wall (a strip of the same stone?), then KerdiFix the piece on top of it. That stuff sticks to most anything and is VERY strong. Based on what I've seen, and comments during one of their workshops, it usually has MUCH more bond strength than the (minimum) listed in the spec sheet, and that's a lot higher than pretty much any thinset you might find.

You'd need to tape or prop things up overnight and wait a bit before applying full load to it (it cures at about 1/8"/day from each edge), but once cured, it's really strong.

After about 12-hours, during one of the workshops, I was able to stand on a piece of KerdiBoard that had only the edge glued with KerdiFix without any damage. That's a bit over 200#, and it had only cured maybe 5% of the distance (it was a 2" thick piece of KerdiBoard).

[Kman]

I wouldn't try to cut the tile on the wall. You'll likely do more damage, and compromise the waterproofing layer.

If you can get more stone and want to bond it to the wall, I think it'll work fine. Just use a thinset that's rated for bonding tile to tile. Keep in mind you're dealing with shear forces here, so most of the force will be in a downward direction, which is to the floor.