New shower tray (1 month old) has a 'blister'

longwalks1

We had this shower and tray fitted on Christmas Eve, and last night I noticed what looks like a blister on the base of it

https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/diamond-1200mm-x-800mm-frameless-offset-quadrant-shower-enclosure-8mm-glass-with-tray-left-hand-entry-19490-1254416-19490-1254416

I felt it as I was showering, a slightly raised bump on its surface (that 100% wasnt there when it was fitted), and today, now its dry you can see the shadow it casts?  If you click on the link and scroll down it shows the tray being tested by a giant lorry - Any idea why its blistered so soon and whats caused it? 

Jeepers_Creepers

"The Strongest, Toughest Shower Tray You Can Buy"

Wow, that's some claim! Does the blister move when you squish it? Even if it doesn't, it's time to call back the installer. I hope he'll be a complete pro about it and take it on the chin with good humour, but if he starts the "Oh it ain't that bad..." malarkey, you may need to get insistent.

Bottom line - it wasn't like that on installation. It's a top quality shower tray and not budget. This is an inherent fault that was undoubtedly in the tray on manufacturing (unless the plumber dropped something on it that bruised and delaminated the surface) - and it will likely only get worse. It needs replacing.

Do you have LegProt on your house insurance? Have that on stand-by.

searchlight123

who purchased the shower tray? the OP or the installer? as it wasn't damaged when installed i cannot see the installer replacing it free of charge if he didn't supply the item. if he did supply it and it's subsequently faulty then i would expect an arrangement between the OP and installer on the cost of the labour to replace it. the shower tray should be replaced by the bathroom sellers as a faulty item however.

Jeepers_Creepers

Good point - I'd assumed the plumber supplied & fitted.

If you supplied it, BB, then you'll have to pay the plumber to remove and replace it - and tackle the supplying company for a replacement.

Alter_ego

Possibly osmotic blistering if it's polyester resin (fibreglass) Could have been damp during manufacture which  combined with chemicals in the resin. Google osmosis in yachts.

longwalks1

Hi everyone, sorry i should of said i purchased it myself from the supplier, and paid with Paypal (not sure if that makes a difference)
Its definately a blister, as alter-ego says, looks exactly the same as photos of osmosis on boats.  Is it likely to get bigger, and in time burst?
It was installed by a close friend, who is a builder.  i dont want to have to remove it if possible as it's tiled down onto etc and will be a pain to get out.  But, if there is no way of treating it then I guess it'll have to come out.

I've mailed the supplier and called 3 times, but the number transfers to a mobile that is always not available.  (angry face)

Jeepers_Creepers

It's either an inherent fault - most likely if it's a smooth blister - or it was caused during the installation, say by an impacting object that delaminated the skin but didn't penetrate it.

I guess.

If the former, then you are fully covered by the manufacturer's warranty. You have it removed, you send it back, they send you a replacement, you have it refitted. You pay your fitter for the labour. £££.

Or, it was damage. If the manufacturer claims it's this, then a bit of a 'mare will begin. It'll likely involve an independent assessment to determine this before you can prove it wasn't accidental damage, and of course if the assessment is also 'damage', you're stuffed. This will also cost ££.

So, it's going to cost you £££ either way.

Had the guy supplied&fitted, you'd just report it to them and it should be replaced without complaint and at no cost to you. (Or a good discount offered if you could be convinced it wouldn't deteriorate any further.)

So give that some thought. There's a good chance - I think - it won't get any worse, so could happily last many years like this - but I dunno.

GDB2222

britishboy said:

Hi everyone, sorry i should of said i purchased it myself from the supplier, and paid with Paypal (not sure if that makes a difference)
Its definately a blister, as alter-ego says, looks exactly the same as photos of osmosis on boats.  Is it likely to get bigger, and in time burst?
It was installed by a close friend, who is a builder.  i dont want to have to remove it if possible as it's tiled down onto etc and will be a pain to get out.  But, if there is no way of treating it then I guess it'll have to come out.

I've mailed the supplier and called 3 times, but the number transfers to a mobile that is always not available.  (angry face)

The cost of the tray is around £100. The labour to replace it is more like £500. Even if the supplier eventually sends you another tray, he won’t pay for the much bigger labour costs.

Do you have lots of spare tiles? If not, I suggest buying some whilst you can still match them.

andyhop

Get a cosmetic repair done, magic man or similar will repair 

longwalks1

Thanks all, will try the supplier again tomorrow and give magic man a call. It’ll break my heart pulling it all out again