How to build a wetroom within an existing bedroom?

Question

Interested in how to prepare the shower enclosure. Want the whole area tiled but need to know how to deal with the floor area of the shower

Answer 1

First you must have the proper drain one that will clamp the liner to it and provide weep holes for any water that get through the floor. Then you will need to slope the floor the towards the drain. 1/4" per foot is required. Next a liner is installed such as "Noble Seal, or Dal-Seal. Place pea gravel around the drain weep holes. On top of the liner place a mixture of 1 part Portland cement and 4 parts sand ( with only enough water so that you can form a ball with the mix!!!!!) should be packed and shaped for the water to run at the drain. It should be level at the perimeter of the shower. I also recommend galvanized metal lath as reinforcing Install ceramic tile using thin set mortar over the base once it has hardened. Grout and enjoy.

As you my suspect this is the short version of this I would recommend contacting the tile council of America. They have drawings of this which can back this easier.


Good luck

Jim

Answer 2

If you haven't done this type of work before please take my advice - DON'T ! As a director of a business selling this type of product for over 30 years i have seen the absolute mess that has resulted in inexperienced installations - and also the result of slight house movement or floor movement and its affect on a wetroom situation. There are a number of excellent products on the market including Wedi board which has its own tanking system but without an experienced installer you will be wasting not only your money on buying the product but you can also run into deep trouble with your insurance company. A word of note - when the sellers house-pack is introduced you will be asked for documentation regarding the installation and could well be in trouble if it fails after a period of time. Go to a good family business who have installers, they should be able to advise you and also arrange installation - then the onus is on them.

Answer 3

After remodeling more bathrooms than anything else Curmudge has the most valid, INITIAL clue in getting a shower pan specific to the size you want.

I no longer use PLY. I use concrete backer board exclusively, especially to tile over, and/or in bathrooms. Certainly the backer board has to be attached to studs that will frame out the space anyway.

I'm more curious about your thoughts for disposal of the water to a sewage/drain line, AND the incoming plumbing.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

What Gizmo says, plus, consider using a tanking system, which is a combination of waterproof 'paint' plus neoprene tape to go all round the joints.
e.g. PCI Lastogum, or similar. Ask your local tile shop.
This will completely waterproof the shower enclosure.

Answer 5

It is also important to overlay the 18mm marine ply with a shower pan. That's the name for a piece of heavy rubber like material which goes of the plywood, is folded thru the corners, and is glued down - no nails. The tile goes on top of this.

Answer 6

Typically the wet room floor is made using 18mm marine ply. The floor is tipped slightly towards the drain which is the lowest point and flush to the floor. If you are tiling the floor then the ply will need to be well packed to remove any flex.

Answer 7

poor mans shower - like building a deck so you dont have to cut concrete slab send drain out sidewall & find sewer lin in yards ( if basement this is mute ), rubber liner for floor & seat, dura rock or hardie backer for tile backer board

if you you buy an acrylic shower pan you don't have to deal with the floor ( don't get fiberglass )