Why a Shower Seat Needs a Slight Slope
A pre-drywall inspection in Las Vegas is the best time to catch details that are easy to correct now, but annoying to live with later. One of those details is how water is directed inside the shower, including the slope of a built-in shower seat.
In this inspection, the shower seat appeared to be installed perfectly flat at the time of inspection. While that may look clean and level, a flat seat can allow water to sit on the surface instead of draining off. We recommend a slight slope so water naturally moves away rather than pooling on the seat.
What This Means For You
A shower seat is a surface that gets wet every time the shower is used. When it is installed perfectly flat, water can linger longer than it should.
Here is what that can lead to:
Water pooling on the seat after each shower
More soap scum buildup and more frequent cleaning
A damp surface that stays wet longer between uses
Higher chance of moisture getting into grout lines, corners, or seams over time
A small amount of slope helps water run off instead of staying put.
A flat shower seat can turn into a daily frustration.
This is an easy correction to make during a pre-drywall inspection in Las Vegas, and it can improve both comfort and long-term shower performance.
Why it Matters
Many new construction homes in Las Vegas use tile showers, and it is easy to assume tile means “waterproof.” Tile and grout help manage water, but the long-term performance of a shower depends on whether water is guided where it should go.
When water repeatedly sits on a flat shower seat, that area stays wet longer. Over time, prolonged moisture can stress grout, caulking, and transitions between materials. Even with good workmanship, it is always better to help the shower dry out faster by preventing standing water in the first place.
We Recommend Addressing It Before Drywall
We recommend having the shower seat sloped between 2% and 4%. That is typically enough to encourage drainage without making the seat feel uncomfortable.
We do not recommend sloping the seat steeper than 4%. Past clients have reported that overly sloped shower seats can feel awkward and uncomfortable to use, especially if they plan to actually sit on the seat during showers.
Common ways the builder may address this include:
Adjusting the seat framing or substrate to create the correct slope
Confirming the finished surface will maintain slope after tile is installed
Making sure the slope directs water toward the shower floor and drain area
Main Takeaway for Las Vegas Home Buyers
A flat shower seat can turn into a daily frustration if it holds water, stays damp, and needs extra cleaning. This is an easy correction to make during a pre-drywall inspection in Las Vegas, and it can improve both comfort and long-term shower performance.
If you are building a home and want a second set of eyes before drywall goes up, a home inspector in Las Vegas can help catch the small details that make a big difference after move-in.
