Should I use clear epoxy to level low spots and fill cracks in shower floor, or are there better alternatives?
Hey everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update and say thank you for all the awesome advice. 😊 After taking everything into consideration, I’ve decided to pass on the epoxy idea. I don’t want to risk making the floors slippery, so safety first! Instead, I’m planning to do a moisture test, regrout, wet seal, silicone the seams, and maybe throw in a mat for some extra comfort. I’ll be sure to share a picture once everything is finished. Thanks a bunch for all the help!
So my husband and I recently purchased a cabin, and while we love the bathroom’s overall look and don’t really want to do a full renovation, the shower floors could use a little sprucing up. They’re tiled with different-sized pebbles that feel a bit odd underfoot. There are a couple of low spots that pool water, along with a crack in the grout that runs across the width of the shower. Surprisingly, the showers seem to be leak-free and actually look better when wet.
I’m wondering if applying a clear epoxy layer could help level out the low spots, fix the crack, and give the floors a shiny finish? If so, any recommendations on a good product for
Hey, guys, can we please stop peeing in the shower? The uric acid is breaking down the covalent bonds in the mortar and causing cracks through hydrolysis.
You said exactly what I was thinking.
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I really like the epoxy idea and I’m curious to hear what people with more experience think about it.
I once stayed in a hotel with a shower like that. Man, those things really hurt my feet. And even with a towel under my feet because it was a hotel.
I heard epoxy can be really slippery, unless there’s a specific type that I’m not aware of.
Sandwich
I think epoxy would be a great choice for this floor with stones set in concrete. I’d suggest looking into Everlast Epoxy because they offer a line that has a mold inhibitor and is slip resistant, which is essential for wet areas.
Oh, that sounds amazing! I’ll definitely look into it. Thanks! 😊
Picture a boat deck. My dad applied epoxy and then sprinkled sand over it. Just be sure to add plenty of sand so it’s not slippery. The gloss effect will be gone once the sand is in place.
These floors feel so nice, don’t they? Although, I’ve heard epoxy can be a bit risky.
I’m a fan as well. My husband, not so much 😂
When those floors are installed correctly, they are amazing! I had a heated one in my previous home, and it felt like having a personal masseuse right in the floor.
Epoxy can be tricky. For starters, there’s no surefire way to ensure it’s free of moisture. If you pour epoxy and there’s moisture present, it will create numerous small bubbles that would be a pain to sand down on your floor. You can conduct a moisture test using just duct tape and Saran Wrap. Cover a one square foot area with the Saran Wrap, leave it for 24 hours, and check for moisture. If there’s moisture on the wrap, then you have your answer. While it might be possible to dry it out, the floor could end up extremely slippery. One option is to re-grout to address the low spots (which can be challenging with the river rock material) and then apply a “wet look” sealer. That’s what I would personally do in this situation. I’ve had to do this a few times for clients who wanted river rocks in their showers. Whenever clients request river rocks, I provide them with flat, cut river rocks instead of the rounded ones typically used.
I appreciate your advice, I’ll definitely conduct a moisture test. That was actually one of my concerns. I wish I could regrout with epoxy grout, but given how it was originally done, I might end up losing the exposed stone completely.
Hey, you’ll still notice that big crack. Maybe try applying a thin skim coat of epoxy grout first. Just keep in mind, if you go with the epoxy pour, it comes with a big risk. It’s super slippery, almost like showering on ice.
I’ve tried a couple of pebble floors before, and one in the shower was a no-go for me. I won’t be doing that again.
My husband and I recently renovated our shower and went with white tiles accented with blue and gray stones. I’m not sure if you can cover it with anything, but I might be mistaken. I absolutely adore mine! 😄
I once stayed in an Air BnB with a shower that had the same design. It was a spacious shower with a rainfall showerhead and looked absolutely stunning…but it had those uncomfortable pebbles on the floor. They were so painful to stand on that I had to rush through my showers and couldn’t fully enjoy the experience. If it were me, I would remove those pebbles and install a different type of flooring.
https://a.co/d/2UGID0i
I love using this shower mat. It’s so comfy to step on and could be the perfect solution for you.
Are these designed to target specific pressure points on your feet? Am I understanding that correctly?
Yes, I agree, but occasionally it can be overwhelming. ☺️
If you decide to epoxy the surface, have you thought about how to slope it for proper drainage?
When using epoxy, remember to angle it towards the drain. Just be cautious of how slippery it can become.
Just let it be. It’s handmade, so we should appreciate the craftsmanship.
The craftsmanship is stunning, just needs a little upkeep.
The teak floor tiles could be a good option.
In my opinion, using epoxy wouldn’t be safe. There are regulations in some places about the slipperiness of shower floors. It’s probably more common in new constructions, but still, it’s important to prevent accidents in the shower.
Would adding a skim coat of concrete on top completely cover up the imperfections or just minimize them?
Do you think applying a floor grout would help? It can fill in the cracks and help smooth out the uneven parts without causing any pain.
I also have this question! I was told that this flooring needs to be sealed every year, but I’m not sure with what.
You might want to consider using something like this. It can help extend the life of the grout and prevent stains and mildew, but make sure to thoroughly clean it before application. A friend shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you might like to check out: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fila-MP90-Eco-Plus-1-Qt-Natural-Look-Tile-and-Stone-Sealer-44010612AME/206392633
You can use an angle grinder to grind down the rounded tops of the stones and then switch to finer sanding to polish them off, so they end up level with the grout but smoother. I haven’t done a big project like this with stone grinding and polishing, just smaller carvings, so I’m not sure how much effort it would take, but it’s definitely doable if you’re willing to put in the time.
If you want to maintain the wet look without using epoxy, a high-quality grout and stone sealer can help extend the life of the grout and keep everything looking shiny.
My parents actually have a shower floor like that, and it drives my husband crazy to walk on it!