Recommendation for shower pan leak / subfloor repair

[Sean Mann]

My acrylic / fiberglass pan leaked into the subfloor, and I need to rip out the pan, fix all the subfloor, and put the pan back in.  Having a hard time finding a contractor that isn't upselling a tile luxury bath.  Any recommendations?

[Richard F.]

You get what you pay for in large part. A fiberglass or acrylic shower pan or full tub/surround are short term solutions. Often they are not installed with proper support under the pan, and will crack due to even a small amount of "flexing" when heavy people are stepping in/out and dancing in the shower. Add to that, the deterioration caused by Tenants NOT using proper cleaning methods and products, which dulls, or even scratches, the surfaces and really shows poorly after a turnover. You are lucky to get a good 5 to 7 years out of the best of these options before they really show their age or leaking hairline (or worse) cracks.

OTOH, a properly installed ceramic tile job, either all tile or with an Americast type tub, with proper tile backer board, and new supply, shower, and waste, and overflow lines and faucets will easily last over 30 years, with minimal maintenance (occasional re-caulk or minor grout touch-up) and no leaks.