Replacement Tiled Shower

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Replacement Tiled Shower

NZFlyer

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#258649 14-Oct-2019 21:34

So I had a shower over a bath that was leaking. It’s a small bathroom and I’m limited with width so called a shower replacement company who recommended to replace with a tiled shower as I didn’t want another shower over bath. They said that it wouldn’t need a building consent if got a custom made waterproof shower tray they installed on the floor and then tiled the walls- only need a consent if I wanted a level-with-floor wet area shower.

All well and good and they’ve done the work and I’m happy but someone was telling me all tiled showers need a building consent and so I did a bit of research and am now confused. Most of the online guidance says wet area tiled showers which are level with the floor do need a consent and so therefore shower trays that you can tile over don’t as I was led to believe? None of the plumbing fixtures were changed around and all in the exact same spot.

Any advice?

timmmay

20591 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2337147 15-Oct-2019 08:35

Call your local council for advice. We had Bathroom Solutions in Lower Hutt do our bathroom about 8 years ago, they didn't bother with a consent even though they knew it was required.

Bung

6505 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2337206 15-Oct-2019 09:46

I would be very cautious. There is plenty of scope for the walls of a tiled shower to leak.

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#2337421 15-Oct-2019 13:57

What are the walls? If they're simply tiled then I believe you need consent. If they're a proprietary continuous liner over a raised tray (tiled of otherwise) then you're OK. I don't know of any proprietary liner than can be tiled over to eliminate the need for a membrane, but they may exist.

The guidance as I understand it is that 'wet area' showers includes, as you stated level entry (accessible) trays, but also any membrane work. This would include a typical tiled shower wall construction that includes a membrane behind the tiles. See section 9 of Schedule 1. https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/projects-and-consents/building-work-consent-not-required-guidance.pdf

At the end of the day the building code sets out minimum standards for construction when using a membrane for waterproofing and this work requires a council inspection before the walls/floors can be lined so they meet these minimums.

Also see: https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/e-moisture/e3-internal-moisture/wet-area-showers-need-building-consent/

mattwnz

20181 posts

Uber Geek

#2337422 15-Oct-2019 14:03

Also contact the council. Don't trust what an installer may tell you becuase they aren't always right. I know someone who had a roof replaced and it was replaced with a different roofing system. The roofer said they didn't need consent because it was a replacement for an old 30+year old roof. However when selling it, the council was asked to check it, and they discovered it did need consent because it wasn't a like for like replacement.So it always pays to ask the council.

Bung

6505 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2337478 15-Oct-2019 15:39

mattwnz:
Also contact the council. Don't trust what an installer may tell you becuase they aren't always right. I know someone who had a roof replaced and it was replaced with a different roofing system. The roofer said they didn't need consent because it was a replacement for an old 30+year old roof. However when selling it, the council was asked to check it, and they discovkered it did need consent because it wasn't a like for like replacement.So it always pays to ask the council.

It's not exactly like for like in that the roof has to be exactly the same as previous roof. You can go from heavy tile to pressed tile or long run and pressed tile to long run but not light weight steel roof to concrete or earthenware tile.

mattwnz

20181 posts

Uber Geek

#2337521 15-Oct-2019 17:03

Bung:
mattwnz:

Also contact the council. Don't trust what an installer may tell you becuase they aren't always right. I know someone who had a roof replaced and it was replaced with a different roofing system. The roofer said they didn't need consent because it was a replacement for an old 30+year old roof. However when selling it, the council was asked to check it, and they discovkered it did need consent because it wasn't a like for like replacement.So it always pays to ask the council.

It's not exactly like for like in that the roof has to be exactly the same as previous roof. You can go from heavy tile to pressed tile or long run and pressed tile to long run but not light weight steel roof to concrete or earthenware tile.

Guessing it comes down to the council and what their interpretation is.

NZFlyer

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2337558 15-Oct-2019 17:34

Thanks. I’ll talk to the council but I have a feeling they’re going to tell me I needed a consent.

The replacement company said I wouldn’t need one for a custom waterproof tray you can tile over as its not a level with the floor wet area which you do need a consent for. When I asked them to clarify this today they’ve totally gone on the defence and now saying that they advised me I needed a consent over the phone (which they didn’t otherwise I would have got one) and that if I haven’t got one then that’s my problem not theirs. Anyway I haven’t actually paid them anything yet and I’m not going to if it turns out they’ve told me I didn’t need a consent and I do

Thanks for the advice around the council - talking to them tomorrow about it and hopefully sort it out soon

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

htweedie

23 posts

Geek

#2337569 15-Oct-2019 17:57

Trays that don't require a membrane for tiles do exist ...

https://www.henrybrooks.co.nz/product/tileable-shower-trays/

These guys specifically state that you don't need a permit.

ratsun81

508 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2337640 15-Oct-2019 18:23

htweedie:

Trays that don't require a membrane for tiles do exist ...

https://www.henrybrooks.co.nz/product/tileable-shower-trays/

These guys specifically state that you don't need a permit.

Permit does not = consent and is an american/canadian term so id be very cautious with this.

As already mentioned, contact your local council if in doubt.

htweedie

23 posts

Geek

#2337651 15-Oct-2019 18:31

This version has been developed in NZ and is a membraneless tile tray so there is no membrane that needs certification. It is effectively the same as a standard plastic tray with the ability to tile over it.

Your are delusional if you think the Council will given you a coherent independent answer. Their standard response is to get a consent.

NZFlyer

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2338384 16-Oct-2019 19:13

Thanks for your advice. A couple more things you guys might be able to help with:

1. They've siliconed where the tiled base meets the wall on three sides but on the 4th side of tiled base that faces out to the bathroom they haven't. When I asked them they said they wouldn't usually do it as the fall sends the water to the waste and they use epoxy grout. Should this be siliconed. First pic is silicone and 2nd and 3rd is the side that isn't

2. Where the tiled shower meets existing wall apparently they had to screw the gib aqualine in. I've just seen a bit of cracking and bulging and in one small area between two screws on the existing wall. Asked about this and they said it's due to having to screw the gib/wall in and I could get a plasterer in if I wanted but best to wait till I do the rest of the bathroom walls. They said thats also why they hadn't siliconed between end of tiles and wall. Thoughts?

mattwnz

20181 posts

Uber Geek

#2338387 16-Oct-2019 19:17

What is underneath the wall tiles between, eg between the gib board and the tiles? Is it a liquid membrane or some other type of plastic liner or membrane?

NZFlyer

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2338389 16-Oct-2019 19:20

mattwnz:
What is underneath the wall tiles between, eg between the gib board and the tiles? Is it a liquid membrane or some other type of plastic liner or membrane?

Liquid membrane. Here’s a pic I took of the first coat.

Bung

6505 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2338541 16-Oct-2019 23:21

If the council do get involved one thing they may want to know is whether the internal corners were reinforced witn a metal L bracket behind the gib. I've heard of one job in Wellington that was redone because these were left out.

Handle9

11411 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2338542 16-Oct-2019 23:34

ratsun81:

htweedie:

Trays that don't require a membrane for tiles do exist ...

https://www.henrybrooks.co.nz/product/tileable-shower-trays/

These guys specifically state that you don't need a permit.

Permit does not = consent and is an american/canadian term so id be very cautious with this.

As already mentioned, contact your local council if in doubt.

Showerwell make one as well

https://showerwell.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Showerwell-Tile-Safe-e-Brochure.pdf

It's basically a plastic sheet with aluminium in the corners feeding into a plastic tray. I used it about 10 years ago and it was a really good system.