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You must consider some simple points now.

Existing Floor Waterproof Tanking System Waste & Trap Installation Guides

Once you've got a simple ACTION PLAN, you can research the products in more detail. How they are installed depends upon the system type, & floor structure its being fitted into. Remember, you can fit almost all system types, into almost all floor structures. Each project is unique, so each one will have different priorities, resulting in different solutions.

Therefore, your product choice is dependant upon finding the best combination of solutions to questions like the technical characteristics, installer skills, aesthetics, & naturally the budget.

We're here to help guide you so call us on 01761 241133.

Wet Room Product Choice

Wet Rooms: THE SHOWER BASE & OUTLET

EUROPEAN Style (thicker bases)

These wet room systems are very common in all European countries, where buildings are more likely to have concrete floors. A number of European manufacturers supply shower Base Formers that create the shower area instantly. Ready to tile, & with a gradient leading to the waste outlet, these shower bases either drop into a hole excavated out of or left in the concrete screed. Usually a minimum of 45mm thick, they instantly build up the floor with an integral slope or gradient & allow the waste pipe to fit to the grating & trap. However, these thicker bases mean that when fitted onto UK Style wooden floors, an additional layer of board (often marine plywood) is fitted on top of the current floorboards. This extra layer is screwed down across the whole bathroom floor, meaning a small step (usually less than 1 inch / 20mm) is created at the entrance to the bathroom. This rise is often partially hidden behind thick carpet, and presents no significant barrier when entering the bathroom. Additionally, the plywood covering, being robust, & stable, drastically reduces the chances of tiles lifting from the floor at a later date.

UK Style (thinner bases)

Wet room fitting onto wooden floors commonly found in UK & Irish properties is made more difficult because of the floors we have. With floorboards being thinner than the European style wetroom floor systems, some UK firms developed shower formers especially for this market. They can be very simple to fit, as they're designed to replace the floor completely. Made from a variety of materials including GRP or formed plywood, they allow a level floor transition from room to room. Being thinner, some people are less happy with the stability & the increased risk of tiles lifting. They can be used on concrete floors, but because they were designed for wooden floors, it is here that they are most suited.

Gully's & Shower Channels

Floor Gully's (normally a small round or square grating) & Shower Channels (long & thin linear channels built into the floor) have been around for many years, and can be described as a simple waste outlet connected to the drains, with no base at all. They are the kind of thing found at swimming pools & spa. However, because they don't include a gradient or incline directing the waste water towards the outlet it has to be built up by hand, which can be a very expensive & time consuming job. Additionally material cost should be considered along with the skill of the fitter to create a perfect gradient. Gullies are especially difficult as the gradient has to surround the hole, so they can only be formed by hand using cement of some kind. Thus a floor gully really is best left to experts. Shower channels are different because they are straight, so a simple incline can be built (1:40) directing the water away.

Wet Rooms: THE WATERPROOF TANKING SYSTEM (or Installation Systems)

It will be vital to seal the room structure to stop water seeping into the structure and wet room systems provide this by the way of an installation kit, These waterproof systems are also known as ;

TANKING,
WATERPROOFING, waterproofer
SEALING, sealant, sealer

Types vary & usually fall into either;

Rubber Paint & Chemical Seals
Has the advantage of proven waterproofing ability, & complete simplicity of application. Applied by brush, or roller the choices are a thicker 'rubber type' polymer that completely coats the area's at risk & forms a visible protective barrier, or a thinner chemical seal that soaks into a substrate to resist water ingress into that material. Application & drying times can be similar. A tape is often used to bridge gaps & joints so they can be sealed. Rubber paint has the advantage of being much more visible during the build-up time that may take a day or two. Thus, gaps can be seen & re-covered more easily.
Cement
The use of joint sealing tape is used to secure cement that dries to for a barrier. Relying on cement only depends upon the manufacturer in question. Some wet room systems completely rely on 3rd party suppliers for waterproofing. In these circumstances, the question of responsibility becomes almost impossible to judge, & therefore who should be approached if leaks occur can become an impossible battle. If this worries you, consider a company that provides the complete system & will back it up.
Rolls of Material
Some systems offer rolls of material to form a barrier. Made from rubber, re-enforced matting, or even a bitumen style material, these can require many more processes and be more difficult to apply than a rubber paint or chemical system. They will also need a higher level of skill, knowledge & experience than a brush & roller system. They should be considered suitable for those with higher levels of knowledge, skill & experience.

Wet Rooms: THE WASTE & TRAP

This is a method of connecting the water outlet in the wet room floor, with the waste pipe (or drains) that will join with bigger pipes and eventually the sewer system. A trap made to specific regulations should be fitted, to ensure no unpleasant smells come back into the room. The majority of the systems come from the same source, but there are many variations on a theme. Some systems have multiple parts needing to put together in the right order, with high levels of accuracy to reduce risks of leaks at a later date. In addition, some systems require considerable levels of preparation before the trap & waste system can be fitted. This can be extremely time consuming so and as the quality is generally the same, things like simplicity, & ease of assembly can be deciding factors. It is also worth considering the volume of water the shower will produce, because the waste will have to handle this too. Additional wastes can be offered on Custom made bases should the standard capacity no be enough.

The many systems available offer combinations of these three criteria, each with advantages & disadvantages. We will try to make the decision easier for you, but before you can make any decisions, you need to do a little research.

Wet Rooms: EXISTING FLOOR

What type of floor is there in the proposed wet room?
Generally there are three different types.
A. Wooden flooring. Very common in the UK & Ireland. This floor type (usually with planks, or boards) covering supporting joists or beams. The joists or beams support the whole floor & sometimes even the 'studded' walls dividing a space into different rooms. Found in most houses, especially on the 1st floor and in older buildings. These floors do have some movement, although after about 3 to 5 years much of a building will have 'settled'. Movement is more of an issue in newer homes, especially those less than 2 or 3 years since completion.

B. Concrete floor. European homes are usually made in this way but it is less common in the UK & Ireland. Made in a variety of ways, this is a very strong, and stable floor. Commonly found on the ground floor of a building, throughout apartment blocks, or in recently built structures.

C. Other. More difficult to define, & certainly less common, combination floors exist such as a wooden framework, with a floorboard covering floating (not fixed) on top of a solid concrete floor. Sometimes found in older apartment blocks.

How big do you want the shower area?
A shower area should be the same size as the shower base you choose. Most people choose areas about the same size as traditional trays, although there is a trend towards larger open areas. A huge shower base costs more but the further away parts won't handle anywhere near as much water as those near the outlet. Thus, the choice of base size is a compromise between size & cost.
How enclosed will the area be?
Generally, the more enclosed, the greater the total expenditure, but the better controlled the water will be. Open areas will allow water to get everywhere, so single screens are a good compromise between control & freedom of movement.