You should turn off the TV and the movies and do more home inspections you might learn something. I just saved my client about $1500.00 while testing the shower pan on my second inspection today. It was a big time leaker, you should understand I am more concerned about the client wanting me to pay for a leaking shower stall than I am about the seller not liking me getting his carpet wet;-)
I guess this will go unanswered…
BTW just looking at this shower stall there was no way to tell if it was going to leak. The tile in this one actually looked somewhat good I was suprised when it leaked
Especially on new construction. I could hear this waterfall before I even made it to the stairs. Trouble is that the builders have now taken to recessing the first floor pans down into the slabs so you can’t find the leaks.
You’re there to find defects. You aren’t going to find what you don’t look for.
http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=100050&d=1440462619
You don’t need an expensive store bought tester though. I just cut a 1-1/4 inch tailpiece down to 1-1/2 inches long then cut a hole through a Walmart drain cover /flapper and stick the tailpiece through it. (~$4)
Is the tail piece an overflow?
Yes. So you don’t over fill the pan causing a waterfall. 
Yes. It allows you to control the depth of water at the drain.
Do you guys also test it when it’s a plastic or fiberglass shower stall or only on tiles?
http://de-lune.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Extended-base-for-a-shower-stall.jpg
Thanks,
David
Definitely!
I don’t use a stopper on the plastic or fiberglass but I do check the drain connection. A stopper seems fruitless
Plastic are the worst
Hows so you have perked my interest
I often find the plastic flexes (when weight is applied) and creates a gap at the drain pipe. Same for hairline cracks, thus my previous question above if anyone applies weight (other than water weight, comparable to a human standing in the shower) when testing?
I’ve seen them installed cracked or defective.
Should roofs be water tested too or does anyone do that?
I found a leaking plastic pan. It was fixed under warranty by the Builder. The service tech told me that he had repaired several in the development. The upper lip had a piece broken out. You could see where the original installer tried to caulk it.
I have agents who will bring a garden hose and hose the crap out of a rooftop terrace while I’m inspecting a new construction home. I don’t take it upon myself to do that, but I will document it for the buyer and agent. These are hard core buyers agents.
http://www.nachi.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=100081&d=1440505742
What brand is the shower base in your comment? I can not find one without an integrated threshold and am wanting one with a tile lip on all 4 sides like the one pictured. Thanks
Cutting the top out of a toilet plunger works too