A wet room is a great way to transform your bathroom from a functional space into something luxurious. It was a complicated process that could not be reliably completed if the concrete floor of the bathroom was used. It was not suitable for homes that have a wood floor in their first floor bathrooms. This has changed, and you can now build a well-constructed wet room almost anywhere.
Important to remember that a “wet room” is not just a space that has a tiled floor and a shower tray, but a room that is completely waterproof. It is constructed in the same way as a basement tank.
Waterproofing is the most important aspect of any wetroom. Any leak can be catastrophic so make sure you understand how waterproofing works and what areas are susceptible to leaking. This is not a job for amateurs, but professionals with prior experience.
Before attempting to convert the space, make sure the walls and floors are in good condition. Remove any remnants of tiles and fill in any cracks. Next, plan carefully where the floor drain will be placed to allow water to drain quickly. Nothing is more likely than water sitting on the surface, waiting for it to drain.
Shower Tray for Wet Rooms
Pre-formed shower tray for wet rooms that is pre-formed and has a slope ready to drain is the best option. These are manufactured in a way that makes it easy to install wet rooms.
There are two main methods of installing a preformed wet-room shower tray, depending on what type of floor. It can either be laid directly on the subfloor and raised with a step, or it can go into the floor to create a level space.
The Drain
The type of drain you can install depends on how much space there is under the floor. A vertical outlet is the best option, but there are other options. Low profile outlets that have limited space can be used if space is tight. These outlets can be placed in depths as low as 70mm and offer high flow rates.
Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is essential in cold climates. However, these systems have advanced beyond recognition in recent times. They provide comfort and ensure that the floor is dry quickly, so it is not slippery.
Although electric underfloor heating can be installed on an existing floor, it is more expensive than the alternative. A system that runs off central heating is another option, but it can be difficult to install within an existing space.
Waterproofing a wet room
After the surfaces have been prepared and the tray and drain positions are determined, it’s time to waterproof the room.
Waterproof matting is available for certain types of walls. However, specialist waterproof matting can also be used. Usually, a tile backerboard will be installed first before the matting or waterproof coating. Every backer board is sealed around its edges with waterproof sealant, and all joints are sealed with waterproof tape. Waterproof tape is also used to seal any gaps left for pipes or other fittings.
A waterproof membrane is used for the floor. Many of these membranes have flexibility to allow movement beneath a wooden floor. All edges, joints, and gaps are sealed with waterproof tape. The ceramic tiles are then attached directly to the membrane using a flexible thin-bed adhesive. Smaller floor tiles are more suitable for a shower area.