Question 1

How do i tile a shower niche properly so it doesn't leak — my last contractor in Moncton did it wrong and water got behind the wall?

Accepted Answer

A properly waterproofed shower niche is all about what happens before a single tile goes up — the waterproofing membrane is everything, and it sounds like your last contractor skipped or rushed that step.

The most common failure point isn't the grout or the tiles themselves — it's the substrate and membrane behind them. Here's how to do it right.

Start with the right substrate. Regular drywall or green board have no place inside a shower niche, full stop. You need either cement board (Durock,

Question 2

Where should a New Brunswick bathroom fan duct terminate?

Accepted Answer

A bathroom exhaust fan in New Brunswick must duct to the exterior of the building — never into an attic, wall cavity, crawlspace, or soffit. This is one of the most commonly violated ventilation requirements in NB homes, and it causes serious moisture damage when ignored.

The National Building Code of Canada 2020 (adopted in New Brunswick effective May 1, 2025 for new applications) requires that all bathroom exhaust fans terminate at an exterior wall cap or roof cap with a backdraft damper. The

Question 3

What's the best waterproofing membrane system for a tiled shower in New Brunswick where humidity swings are extreme between seasons?

Accepted Answer

For a tiled shower in New Brunswick, a sheet-applied or liquid-applied waterproofing membrane bonded directly to the substrate — not relying on the tile itself to stop water — is the only reliable choice given our climate. The two systems that consistently perform best here are Schluter Kerdi (sheet membrane) and liquid-applied membranes like Laticrete Hydro Ban or RedGard, each with distinct advantages depending on your situation.

New Brunswick's humidity swings are genuinely punishing on show

Question 4

How do i deal with the black mold behind the tub surround in my Bathurst bathroom — can i just paint over it with mold-killing primer?

Accepted Answer

Painting over black mold is not a solution — it's a delay tactic that will make the problem worse. Mold-killing primer is designed to prevent future mold growth on clean surfaces, not to kill or encapsulate an active colony. Whatever is growing behind your tub surround will continue spreading through the substrate even with primer on top.

Here's the reality of what's likely happening in your Bathurst bathroom: moisture is getting behind the surround through failed caulk, cracked grout, or a dam

Question 5

What's the best vanity and layout for a narrow 5x7 bathroom renovation in a Riverview split-entry?

Accepted Answer

For a narrow 5×7 bathroom, a 36-inch single vanity with an offset sink is your best friend — it gives you counter space on one side while keeping the visual footprint compact. In a split-entry home (very common in Riverview, built heavily through the 1980s and 90s), you're likely working with a standard layout that can be optimized significantly without moving any plumbing.

Layout Strategy for a 5×7

The classic layout for this footprint puts the toilet at the far end, tub/shower along one lon

Question 6

Can i add a half bath under the stairs in my Dieppe bi-level without major plumbing work?

Accepted Answer

Adding a half bath under the stairs in your Dieppe bi-level is definitely possible, but "minor" plumbing work is relative — you'll still need a licensed plumber and permits, though the scope can be manageable depending on your home's layout.

Most 1970s-1990s bi-levels in Dieppe have their main plumbing stack running through or near the central area of the home, which often puts it reasonably close to under-stair spaces. If your existing stack runs within 10-15 feet of your proposed location, yo

Bathroom Renovations