Waterproofing Shower Solutions: What’s the best option?
At Guru USA, as a waterproofing products manufacturer, we’d like to start our blog talking about the importance of waterproofing shower walls and floor, how to detect if you have an issue with your shower… And after that, we will introduce different solutions to waterproof shower walls and floor.
Table of Contents
Why waterproofing shower is so important?
Shower and bathroom waterproofing in general is a real issue… Did you know majority of homes in the USA have reported some issue with mold and mildew or moisture? Lots of people are extremely prone to mold-related health problems. So, reducing excess wetness where mold spores grow is among the most essential elements of boosting your interior air top quality.
Though mold and mildew as well as moisture can form anywhere excess dampness is present, restrooms are among one of the most common areas for mold growth to occur. One research of property owners in the US found that mold existed in 49 percent of shower grouts and also half of the shower walls. Correctly waterproofing shower walls and floor will help to reduce and get rid of unwanted mold growth.
The maintenance of the shower, the integrity of the structure and the possible damages that can be caused by humidity are also main factors in deciding to use the best system to waterproof your shower walls and floor.
Listed below, you can see a complete guide on the shower waterproofing systems that home owners can use to enhance their healthy and balanced home. We will certainly look at the very best, low VOC options to make certain mold and mildew prevention in different sorts of showers.
Why should we use a shower waterproofing system?
Lots of people assume that the floor tiles in the shower are one hundred percent waterproof. Though ceramic and porcelain ceramic tiles on the floor as well as wall surfaces of your shower are virtually water resistant, the grout in between those ceramic tiles is not. Cement is nothing more than fine sand that is “glued” together with concrete as well as various other types of adhesives. Grout does an excellent task at holding floor tiles in place. Still, it also easily takes in water via the tiny capillary pores that exist throughout the blend. This is the reason why using a shower waterproofing system is highly recommended.
Without some type of waterproof membrane layer underneath the layer of cement, those little stonework lines will progressively take in water and also create water damage to whatever is below your shower. Plywood, drywall, as well as also the 2×4 studs of your wall or flooring structure are therefore at risk to put on and mold and mildew growth with time.
Signs that waterproofing shower gone wrong
So exactly how precisely can you tell if your shower has enough waterproofing below the floor tile? Some telltale signs of a leaking shower include rotting floorboards, skirtings, door frameworks around the shower, water damages in floorings and also ceilings in surrounding areas, dampness in carpets around the restroom, the existence of cockroaches, silverfish, and also various other moisture-loving parasites. However, prior to these extreme issues take place, there are methods to spot a potentially dripping shower without removing floor tiles.
Some typical indications that your shower is possibly dripping water include:
- Noticeable openings or fractures in the cement in between specific ceramic tiles on both the floor covering and also the walls;
- Cracking along the boundary and also flooring ceramic tile joints;
- No silicone used along the joints between ceramic tile floorings and walls;
- Lack of silicone seals around the tapware studs of your shower;
- Improperly set up pool flange linked to the drain system of your shower.
Suppose you (or an employed plumbing technician) detect any one of these concerns. In that case, it is highly likely that your shower is improperly waterproofed as well as may be leaking water.
Best solutions to waterproof shower walls and floor
In this section, we’ll mention solutions for waterproofing shower walls and floor, starting with the system to waterproof a shower floor, different solutions that exists and also the importance of waterproofing shower walls.
What are the best systems to waterproof shower walls and floor?
There are a number of various ways to waterproof the floor underneath your shower tiles. In the past, a lot of contractors made use of a rubber or copper shower frying pan liner that was mounted listed below a typical mortar base. This system essentially enabled water to permeate through the mortar joints slowly. The frying pan liner collected this excess moisture to safeguard the subfloor below. A prospective risk of using this sort of system is that shifting or resolving of the shower can impact the liner’s incline. This problem leads to the merging of excess dampness, hence bring about the inescapable growth of mold and mildew.
Today, many service providers have ditched the rubber or copper pan liner in favor of some water-proof membrane layer modern technology. These various water-proof membrane layers are positioned straight beneath the tile layer to prevent any kind of water infiltration into the concrete or mortar subfloor. There are four primary sorts of waterproofing membranes being used today consisting of sheet membrane layers, liquid membranes, foam wallboards, as well as foam shower bases. We’ll dive into them below.
Sheet Membranes
Sheet Membranes (also called Bathroom waterproofing membrane) are produced from different blends of plastic compounds attached directly to the floor tile backer board as well as shower surface area. Most sheet membrane layers have a “peel and stick” technology for easy installation. They are one of the best options due to their ease of installation and durability. If you’re looking for one of the best waterproofing membranes for shower (both walls and floor), have a look at our shower waterproofing membrane WATER-STOP.
Fluid Membranes
This fluid membrane layer is essentially a water-resistant paint for your shower. These items are used with a basic paint roller. Once dried out, the membrane comes to be an elastomeric layer that stays versatile. RedGard uses among the most popular and also easy-to-apply items for a fast waterproofing of your shower. The problem is that the duration is shorter than in other systems.
Preslope Shower Pan
Preslope shower pans are typically marketed as kits that come with a shower foam that is waterproofed similarly as the tray. The equipment might additionally include a waterproof membrane bonded to the tray plus shower drain and accessories like corners. The foam used in these packages is frequently like the foam wall surface boards discussed over.
The very best system for waterproofing your shower flooring will certainly depend generally on your spending plan and also the remodel you are doing. If you are not entirely restoring your shower, liquid membrane layers are the easiest and also quickest to set up. If you are replacing a shower, going with among the other options will certainly most likely include an added protection layer versus possible future water damage. ¿Do you know our Preslope Shoer Pan “Superkit”?
H3: To conclude: what is the best Waterproofing shower system?
Bathroom waterproofing membrane are great but the most effective kind of waterproofing shower walls and floor system will depend on numerous different factors. Generally, liquid waterproof membranes can be applied by home owners for a basic, quick, and economical means to waterproof your shower. If you are looking for a much more robust and longer-term service, going with some sheet membrane or foam backer board is most likely your best bet.
