Ventilation would help, but there likely has been a lot of rain recently then, and runoff is going under your concrete pad. Likely the reason for the crack too, when freezing underneath.

They aren’t in Canada.

Look for a laser protractor/digital inclinometer for beaming a straight line on anything. Aliexpress.

I DIY everything pretty much so it’s hard to think about what is basic. Set of screwdrivers. Light hammer, utility knife. Basic set of sockets and wrenches. Basic set of pliers. Cordless drill/driver. Caulking gun. Quality drywall anchors. Tape measure and a level. You’ll eventually need to fix small things too.

So you're saying ventilation would not help if that's the case? We haven't had a problem here in almost 10 years living here.

Sorry folks, I'm just not good enough for a magnet. Franklin all the way for me.

Plus1 for this stud finder. More money but is an absolutely fantastic stud finder. Makes everything else look like total junk.

Just an FYI, the Canadian equivalent of "harbor freight" would be "princess auto"

There is moisture underneath where that spot is showing.

Make friends with your neighbors and borrow their tools while you build out your own set. Garage sales/estate sales are great places to get used tools.

Here's a few "after the fact" bench or shelf options - https://www.innoviscorp.com/better-bench/

But I also agree with other posters about the potential water issues regarding screw placement/liner positioning. Are you planning to roll on an additional Redguard (or other brand) moisture barrier coating on the cement board?

Here that is! https://www.innoviscorp.com/better-bench/

Drills are more general purpose than impact drivers.

I used one of these, then used membrane and thinset on all seams before redguard and tile. If memory serves, I did have to taper the bottom a little bit with a coping saw so it would sit flush on the sloped shower pan and sit flush against the wall.

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https://www.flooranddecor.com/shower-systems-installation-materials/schluter-kerdi-board-sb-triangular-bench-16in.-x-16in.-100597855.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjww4-hBhCtARIsAC9gR3b2-K2U-k73uMi9gvOvgPlVoyQvzDlFv2fCdWsiCdxfhG8lXl7g0FcaApwEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Legally it’s supposed to be permitted and inspected. At least in my jurisdiction. So things don’t leak.

You don't need an inspection if you don't get the permit, right? /s

I second this, the last thing you wanna do is accidentally mess up something that works. Ripping the old stuff out or moving things in a basement is the going to cost much to have done by a pro

Unless the shower area is very large, a lot of these seating options serve only to increase the dangers associated with using wet bathroom areas. Variation in the weight of users has also to be factored in, as well as any disabilities of users, both now and possibly in the future. I speak with much experience in these matters, as being disabled myself now, and have tried many of the options available. Most wall-mounted fittings end up being a point of failure at some time, allowing water ingress behind the tiling, etc. I've had to have professionally installed showers to be ripped out to repair water damage caused by the failure of such seating, causing major disruption to the household. Now I will only ever use purpose-made removable seating if it's needed at all.

If you do go ahead with any built-in seating, make sure it's built to cope with weights of over 20 stone or even much more. Remember, a large person falling can exert tremendous forces on such fitments, far exceeding the average quoted weight limits on some of these items, and these structures should take this into account. Nor should there be any sharp corners/edges anywhere.

On a personal level, I think that no shower area should be used without the installation of suitable handrails. Water and soap can lead to slippages, and maybe your old mother or grandma may be using your shower at some time, and you want them to be safe, don't you?!

Whatever you build, I hope it looks great and serves you well.

Ah, thank you, I'll start looking into it. Theoretically, better ventilation should prevent this from appearing then? There are no water sources other than rainy weather.

I just redid our second bathroom.

https://imgur.com/a/grHgoQn

I found folding shower seats...

They don't take up space and don't exist until you want/need them to!

Lol, we're in our early 40's now, but 80 will be here in a few weeks. Might as well be ready for it 🤣🤣

It can be. If you're lucky it's just drywall. If the studs themselves are askew then it's a huge problem. If it's just the drywall sticking out then, sure, you gotta replace the drywall but it doesn't automatically mean there's structural problems. Don't get me wrong, there could still be structural problems, this isn't a hard "it's fine" if it's just drywall bowing.

That's efflorescence. It means you have a moisture problem, not a mold one.

The $20 ones are usually fine for finding studs.

Poured cement? Do you mean deck mud?

that liner should be sloped towards drain. Can't really tell from pictures but doesn't look like it is. Liner covered by cement board is fine but penetrations with screws is bad. On top of liner it should be mortar bed. It is not poured but packed. Surface of that mortar bed should be sloped as well. Not sure how you poured concrete to create such slope. If I were you and this is current state I would just cut liner out, tear out drain. Install kerdi preformed shower base and drain, add kerdi bench of any kind, complete everything with kerdi membranes and bands. It is much better system just because there are less material that gets wet.

If you don’t know, the full scope of precautions you should take and you don’t know anything about electrical and your best Intuition is to ask a bunch of Internet strangers whose expertise may be much less than those that you do not even possess then This is not a project that you should even be attempting. If you make a mistake, the cost is high. Electrocution, electrical, fire, loss of life and property. When the fire marshal comes in to inspect the cause of the fire and your insurance company finds out that it was a shade tree job, don’t expect your coverage to replace the damage and losses. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and do it right.