Bathroom shower floor

Yes, it is possible to install new tile flooring on the shower floor without chipping the side wall tiles, but it requires extreme care and precision. Here’s a breakdown of the process and the major risk: The Process 1. The Goal: The shower walls were likely tiled first, with the bottom row of wall tiles overlapping the edge of the shower pan or the mortar base. This overlapping edge is your protection! 2. The Challenge (Demolition): The contractor will need to carefully remove the existing "rock base" and the old grout/thin set. This involves; precise cutting, and targeted chipping. 3. The Crucial Risk (Waterproofing): This is the most critical part. Beneath the old rock base is the waterproofing membrane (the shower liner). If that membrane is punctured or damaged during the demolition, the entire base is compromised, and you may be forced to remove the bottom row of wall tiles to install a new, secure waterproof pan. Recommendation: In short, hire an expert tile setter for this job. They need to inspect the current installation and confirm that they can confidently remove the existing floor without puncturing the waterproofing membrane or chipping the wall tiles. Please verify these recommendations with the contractor you will be hiring to ensure they are confident in their ability to perform this specialized, delicate removal safely and guarantee the integrity of your shower's waterproofing layer. Good luck with your project!