Tips on Fitting a Wet Room

Transforming your bathroom or shower into a wet room is becoming more popular. Not only is it ideal for those who have problems walking, but it is also easier for children and creates more space. You can see some designs on Pinterest to give you some ideas.

Fitting a wet room can be a complex task, so you need to have some level of DIY experience before you commence work. If you are unsure, or you do not have the time to commit to it, you can always hire local tradesmen to come and fit the wet room for you, ensuring the job is completed properly.

Sealing the floor

Sealing the floor is one of the most difficult parts of the process, and it will also take the most time to complete. There are four ways that you can seal the room efficiently:

• Rubber Paint
• Chemical Seal
• Cement
• Material

Rubber paint is probably the best option because it is easy to apply with a brush or roller. Because you can see it, you can spot areas that are not covered and therefore prevent leaks. The chemical seal is applied the same way, but it soaks into the floor making it difficult to see if it is correctly used.

The paint or chemical seal must be used on the whole floor as well as floor to ceiling on the walls near the shower. For the rest of the room, a covering of approximately 100mm from the floor up should be enough.

Cement and material rolls should be applied by someone who is an expert in wet rooms. It is hard to use, and there are more risks involved regarding leaks if not done properly.

Fitting the waste pipes

Because the drainage for the wet room will be beneath the floor, it will be necessary to lower the drainage pipes and provide a new trap to avoid unwanted smells.

Fitting the new pipework and drain is time-consuming and complicated. It may be a little easier for those homes with a wooden floor. However, concrete floors may need a channel to excavated to make room.

One consideration is where the shower will be in relation to the drain. If there is a short distance between the two, you may need to fit a bigger pipe to cope with the level of water.

Screens

Even in a wet room, you can have a screen to prevent too much water from going across the floor. It can have an advantage in containing the heat and water, but it might not be practical for everyone.

If the wet room is going to be used for someone who has problems walking or standing, then handrails should be fitted to help them hold on. It is also possible to build a seat into the design so they can sit down to shower in the water.

Installing a wet room is an excellent idea and opens up the shower to some other possibilities. You can add body jets, a drencher head, and other features to give you a luxurious experience.