Tile showers - waterproofing?

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heavenlywild

5059 posts

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#157355 28-Nov-2014 11:38

Has anyone put down a tiled shower in recent times?

If so, I would like to know how you waterproofed the area - other than putting down the glue. Did you put anything else underneath the tiles where you stand on to keep water out?

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xontech

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1184837 28-Nov-2014 12:07

Our tiler is doing our bathroom as I type.
Absolutely you need to apply a waterproofing layer between the tiles and the walls/floor in a wet area (shower).
From what I understand, most tiles are pourous, and so it is the waterproofing compound that stops the water getting to the walls/floor etc. This is on a concrete ground level floor, not sure if more needed for other floor types.
The product our tiler is using is "Dampfix Gold - Water based polyurethane waterproofing membrane".
Also you may need to understand any council/building regulations with regards to waterproofing and bathrooms.

Edit: fat fingers and added floor type info.

xontech

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1184841 28-Nov-2014 12:09

Our shower floor is a foam type tray that is glued to the floor, I think some other glue type thing is then applied to the top of the tray that is left to dry (hardener perhaps), and then 2 coats of the abovementioned waterproofing applied before the tiles are glued on.

Disrespective

1925 posts

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#1184848 28-Nov-2014 12:18

Check NZBC E3 Internal Moisture for the regulations around internal linings and waterproofing.

http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Building/Compliance-documents/E3-internal-moisture-3rd-edition-amendment-4.pdf

Fred99

13684 posts

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#1184850 28-Nov-2014 12:25

There's some more info here:
http://www.branz.co.nz/cms_show_download.php?id=21bc58c863c0b548402b2427cb5a15b7fdd807af

In a timber floored existing home, or concrete floored slab on grade house which hasn't got an existing tiled shower base, then I wouldn't do it with a tiled base, but would use a SS or plastic tray base, and villaboard/waterproofing membrane system for shower walls only. If the tiled base was to leak, then you could cause big problems.

heavenlywild

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#1184855 28-Nov-2014 12:33

Thanks for the reply guys. I am actually doing two bathrooms. One shower I had bought like a hard polystyrene-like base for the tiles to go on.

I am wondering if this is needed as it is $300. I suppose it is always safe to have it than not!

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wellygary

8312 posts

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#1184888 28-Nov-2014 13:41

heavenlywild: Thanks for the reply guys. I am actually doing two bathrooms. One shower I had bought like a hard polystyrene-like base for the tiles to go on.

I am wondering if this is needed as it is $300. I suppose it is always safe to have it than not!

Whats underneath it?, if its a wooden floor, you will want something that is solid that will not move or flex for the tiles to adhere to....

heavenlywild

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#1184944 28-Nov-2014 15:11

wellygary:
heavenlywild: Thanks for the reply guys. I am actually doing two bathrooms. One shower I had bought like a hard polystyrene-like base for the tiles to go on.

I am wondering if this is needed as it is $300. I suppose it is always safe to have it than not!

Whats underneath it?, if its a wooden floor, you will want something that is solid that will not move or flex for the tiles to adhere to....

Underneath is the floor. It is stuck on (sorry, I am not a builder) properly, before it is waterproofed as well.

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mattwnz

20141 posts

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#1184957 28-Nov-2014 15:15

Are you using a professional to install it? I am pretty sure you need a building consent for that work anyway, as it would require installing a membrane at the distances as shown in the building code. If you don't get a consent and you need one, it will likely affect you selling your house, as people check these things when they get a LIM and BIM