If you’ve recently completed or have plans to do a shower remodel, you’ve probably wondered what shower waterproofing is all about.

The decision to have a waterproofing membrane is an important step in renovating your shower area. Here, we’ll provide you with basic information about this material so you’ll know why it’s important. Read on.

Shower Waterproofing: A Brief History

Shower waterproofing is not a new concept. About 15 years ago, it was assumed that the shower surround was relatively watertight, with the shower base being the only place where any waterproofing was installed.

Older homes were notoriously drafty from significant air leakage between the inside and outside of the structure. Under such conditions, moisture that leaked from the shower stall could often evaporate. This resulted in a less comfortable ambience at home. It also made it more expensive to heat the home.

Nonetheless, it was able to reduce the risk of mold growth and dry rot. Also, it prevents toxic air from becoming trapped in your home.

Although adequate air movement helped a little, the problems could never be ignored because of the wrong assumption that tiled shower walls are essentially waterproof.

This was the flaw that eventually caused all showers built during that period to fail, regardless of installation quality. Because of the higher absorption rates through the tile, ceramic tile usually failed faster than porcelain tile, but they all failed eventually.

Types of Waterproofing System for Shower Floor

There are several options for waterproofing the floor beneath your shower tiles. They are installed directly beneath the tile layer to prevent water from penetrating the cement or mortar subfloor.

• Sheets Membranes

Sheet membranes are made of various plastic compound blends adhered directly to the tile backer board and shower surface. For ease of installation, most sheet membranes use “peel and stick” technology.

• Liquid Membrane

This liquid membrane is essentially a shower waterproof paint. These items are applied with a standard paint roller. When the membrane dries, it transforms into an elastomeric layer that remains flexible. RedGard provides one of the most popular and simple-to-apply products for quick shower waterproofing.

• Foam Wallboards

As tile backers, foam wall boards are installed to provide structural stability. They also provide a waterproof shower membrane because they are made of extruded polystyrene foam. Kerdi Board is a popular type of foam wallboard used for shower waterproofing.

• Foam Shower Bases

Foam shower bases are frequently sold as kits that include a foam shower curb that is waterproofed in the same manner as the base. A membrane bonding shower drain and seam tape may also be included in the equipment. The foam used in these kits is frequently the same as that used in the foam wall boards mentioned above.

The best system for waterproofing your shower floor will be determined primarily by your budget and the scope of the remodel. Liquid membranes are the easiest and quickest to install if you are not completely renovating your shower.

If you’re replacing a shower, however, choosing one of the other options will almost certainly add an extra layer of protection against potential future water damage.

What Is the Best Shower Waterproofing?

The best type of waterproofing for your shower will be determined by several factors. In general, homeowners can use liquid waterproof membranes in a simple, quick, and cost-effective manner.

However, If you want a more durable and long-lasting solution, a sheet membrane or foam backer board is probably your best option. These more durable backer membranes are only marginally more expensive for new shower construction. You can use them in conjunction with liquid membranes to double the waterproofing effect.

Waterproofing Membrane Experts

If you want to make sure that the installation is done correctly and cost-effectively, hire only the experts in waterproofing membrane like iTileNT.

We are a trusted tiling and waterproofing team of experts in Darwin and the entire NT. Our 20 years of experience in the industry speaks volumes of the quality service we can provide you with.

Discuss with us how you want to renovate your bathroom. Give us a call at +61 0400 729 303 and let’s help you from there.