At the inspection I did today the shower stall had drywall in a place that would get really wet. I’m thinking this would be a defect because pretty quickly the wall would become defined because of so much moisture, but wanted to see if possibly I was missing something. Thank!
Write it up. Move on.
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IMO it should be called out as an improper installation.
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I would mention it. Area should be tiled or otherwise protected. No shower door either. Still under construction?
Cheers
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Unusual having the entire shower wall/stall surfaces without tiles but cement, green and purple board are typically used with a percentage of the shower stall tiled.
I would mention it in my report as untilled shower stall.
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Nope, marketed as newly renovated! Haha the renovations were definitely not done by a professional.
That’s what I was thinking as well, it just seemed such an obvious thing for the “contractor” to miss I thought for I second I was missing something. Haha
More caulk means better protection right? 
You stand between a rock and a hard place being able to see/observe and measure the materials used. The lack of tiles or other water repellant materials is obvious, like waterproof wall panels. Walls above the required height of the tub/shower or shower enclosure are only required to be of water-resistant gypsum board
Request disclosure from the vender as to the materials used in the show stall is the only thing I can think of. Permits as well if this is a reno job.
It could be green board.
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So, where exactly is it stated that a Tub must have non-absorbant walls? Be specific!
There is a requirement for Showers, but this is not a shower, it is a tub with a shower fixture. Not the same thing.
Homes go back to the beginning of time with indoor plumbing and no special wall requirements in bathrooms.
IMO, Tile, Surrounds, etc. are simply a personal design taste, and not a requirement.
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Greenboard drywall is a type of drywall used for walls in damp but not wet zones
Not necessarily accurate…
Is there more to that article that I didn’t see, the thumbnail says it’s not suitable for shower tile installation and very wet areas.
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I doubt homes at the “beginning of time” had any plumbing. How could you possibly know this?
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You may want to go back and read it again.
Also note, that accorcing to the 21 IRC, the use of “non-absorbant” wall materials in ‘Showers’, (NO requirement in Tubs), is only “required” up to 72 inches (Local for 21 UPC), so the use of it on ceilings is a moot issue.
Very accurate to the op’s picture if that is what was used.
water-resistant drywall can be used in wet locations such as behind tile in bathtubs or shower stalls.2
“ASTM C1396 / C1396M - 17.” ASTM International - Standards Worldwide. 2022
According to ASTM C473,
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1.1.4 Water-resistant gypsum backing board, designed primarily to be used as a base for the application of ceramic or plastic tile on walls or ceilings. This product is also suitable for decoration.
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