Bathroom done June 2025, still under warranty. Grout never sealed per contract, mold already forming, wall behind shower crumbling. Contractor keeps delaying inspection. Are these legitimate warranty claims? Need professional input (First time remodeling/home owner)
Demo down to studs, new waterproofing membrane, mortar bed, large-format porcelain tile walls (I bought these in 2022), custom tile shower pan with a darker large-format porcelain floor tile, quartz curb/bench/ledges, diamond mosaic niche, and all new fixtures (tile and fixtures I sourced myself). Licensed contractor, written contract, signed change orders, full documentation from start to finish.
Major issues during construction were addressed before final sign off (mostly from dealing with Foreman, like trying to hide that he broke my bathroom window. He was very dismissive and the Project Manager had to intervene on my behalf multiple times after I escalated complaints to her because I felt consistently steamrolled).
The overall layout, waterproofing, and design came out close to what I wanted. I'm not here to torch the contractor publicly, I just want the work corrected under warranty especially because my family had to loan me money in order for me to afford it (I thought my original budget was adequate). I'm posting because I want to walk into the contractor meeting knowing whether these issues are within normal tolerance or represent genuine workmanship failures, and how to present them clearly without being dismissed.
Within weeks of completion: Grout already looked dingy at first (they said it's just construction dust) but then it kept looking dirty despite light use, proper ventilation, and wiping down surfaces after every shower.
March 2026: Wall on the opposite side of the shower (shared garage wall) begins cracking and crumbling but only in areas directly behind where the bathroom remodel was performed. Foreman came out, opened the wall a bit more, and stated it was unrelated to the remodel and not their responsibility. Contractor has not personally inspected it but said Foreman could fix it but for extra cost - I said I don't want him working on anything else in my house and asked if there were anyone else.
March-May 2026: Continued attempts to schedule a joint walkthrough with the contractor himself. He has been consistently difficult to pin down. No inspection has occurred. Other issues are popping up (towel bar broke off wall and not properly installed to framing. Didn't even use the blocking I asked them to add in specific areas behind the drywall... only for them to not use them)
Now-June 2026: Warranty expiration approaching. Pink mold still forming in grout despite non-stop exhaust fan use and door left open. Grout voids, cracking, and slab edge issues now clearly visible and documented.
My Questions:
This shower is lightly used, exhaust fan runs every time, and I wipe down all surfaces after every use. Is pink mold forming within months of completion a sign of unsealed or porous grout, or is this consistent with normal maintenance even on a properly sealed shower?
The grout voids I'm seeing are not just hairline settling cracks but actual open gaps in the grout fill. Is this typically a sign of under-mixed grout, poor application, or inadequate cure conditions? Do they warrant a full regrout or can they be spot-filled?
The written contract includes grout sealing in scope. The foreman told me verbally that sealing wasn't necessary and I could easily do it myself. For cement-based grout in a wet shower application, is sealing optional or standard practice? Does the contractor's failure to perform a contracted service give me standing to hold them responsible for downstream issues like mold penetration?
The wall on the garage side directly behind the shower started cracking and crumbling ~7 months after completion, only getting worse in areas where remodel work was performed. The foreman says it's unrelated without doing any investigation. What are the likely causes (moisture migration, waterproofing failure, structural)? How would a professional properly investigate this?
I've been trying to schedule a joint walkthrough with contractor since March. At what point does repeated avoidance during an active warranty period become legally significant, and is there a formal written notice I should be sending to protect myself?
When the contractor does finally show up, what documentation should I have ready and what should I specifically ask them to test or inspect on-site?
TL;DR: Full bathroom remodel completed June 2025, still under 1-year warranty. Grout was never sealed despite being listed in the contract. Pink mold forming, grout voids visible, caulk gaps present, and the wall behind the shower is now cracking, possibly from moisture. Contractor has been stalling on a walkthrough since March and project manager who I thought was my advocate, has not replied once. Looking for professional input on whether these are legitimate workmanship failures and how to approach the warranty conversation before time runs out.