Housewrap? Check. Flashing? Check. Just when you think you’ve protected a home against water, it’s shower time. The sound of running water from the bathroom could mean that moisture is finding its way into the walls. That’s why strategies for water management are important both inside and out.
Water stains, wet grout, and trapped water within the hardware are a few signs that water management has gone awry in the bathroom. A poorly designed or improperly installed shower pan is a likely culprit. The pan should have a generous slope that guides water into the drain. A pan that is too level allows water to rest along the perimeter, which gives water the opportunity to wick into the wall. If a sloped shower pan is not available, then the next best tactic is to install a shower pan liner. Another problem area is the shower door assembly. The shower door sill track should have weep holes that release water that gets inside the sill. Make sure the weep holes are low enough that water can easily drain out the assembly. If they’re not, make a notch in the hole, so water doesn’t get trapped inside and eventually wick into places you don’t want it to be.
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Water became trapped in this weep hole, set roughly 1/8" above the edge of the shower pan, on the door sill track.
Without a backer, the lath and plaster in contact with the shower pan will wick water outside of the shower enclosure.
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