Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcle ?

[Cottage lady]

Hello Tilers I am a new girl on this site and I desperately need some good advice. It seems every bathroom installer has a different way of doing things and products used and the differences are also influenced by how long they have been installing showers. Some still defend using Plywood and even he dreaded PVA or maybe SBR ... some prefer Hardibacker or Aquapanel or Wediboard Can someone please list for me the best way to achieve a waterproof shower that will last "forever" ! We have a leaking shower, with cracked up grouting stained brown where the shower water has gone against the tiles. It was installed using 12 mm Plywood which was apparently treated with SBR before tiling. Was this ever good practise ? If Hardibacker is used should this be tanked with a waterproof membrane on top > and Ditto re Aquapanel oe Wediboard ? Is grouting water resistant only (not epoxy grout as per in catering establishments) and if so what happens if the shower water goes through the grout and onto the backer board ? How does one stop it running down into the room below ? I am a total wreck here with our leaking shower and post traumatic stress about it ever happening again ! The installer says it was not "his fault" and that lots of installers used plywood in 2008 and the SBR alone was okay. This is a jumbled posting but my mind is confused by too many opinions and conflicting comments. Please help me out !

 

[cam_low]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Hello, welcome, go make yourself a cuppa and chill. You have come to the right place and soon, a tiler will have answered all of your questions. As for me, I'm off to sleep as I've done 12 hour session on the Marmox boards 😉

 

[White Room]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Hi and welcome....Plywood should'nt be used in any shower, as you mentioned the grout is turning brown due to the ply.

Hardie backer is water resistant, if water penetrates it it will not breakdown with water but does allow water to pass through it.

Just reread your post, was the shower done in 2008 ?

 

[Perry]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

the only product you mentioned that is waterproof is wedi type boards (lightweight tile backer boards) imo is the best way to go if starting from scratch you don't need epoxy in a domestic situation

 

[Lee@emctiles]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Have a look at this tanking video.
[video=youtube_share;4Rx1OKHz_-E]http://youtu.be/4Rx1OKHz_-E[/video]

 

[AliGage]

Hi cottage lady and welcome.

Is there any chance you could upload a few snaps of the room in question.

 

[Cottage lady]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Hi and welcome....Plywood should'nt be used in any shower, as you mentioned the grout is turning brown due to the ply.

Hardie backer is water resistant, if water penetrates it it will not breakdown with water but does allow water to pass through it.

Just reread your post, was the shower done in 2008 ?

Yes it was installed in March 2008 and I noticed cracking grouting in Oct 2009 and queried it with installer who I think did some more grouting ... this is a very old cottage and the water was seeping into the thick walls below and the lath and plaster kitchen ceiling below for a long time we now see

 

[Cottage lady]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Hello AliGage... if I posted pics at the mo you would see a really lovely shower with pretty tiles and a Daryl screen ... all gorgeous but with brown staining in the lower grouting and a history of water coming through the kitchen wall and ceiling (plaste and lath along the edge... all got to be ripped out ... talk about shock and stress and the guy says it is not his fault.

 

[AliGage]

Most of the products you listed in your original post could be used. How the walls are constructed will help with what would be the better product to use. Size and weight of the tiles you want to fix etc. And ultimately what you want the plan and design of your room to be. For example if you were constructing somewhere for a counter top basin to be and it was to be tiled i would opt for Wedi over hardie.
One things for certain the ply has got to go

 

[Cottage lady]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Many thanks AliGage ... it will ! Do you think the installer has a duty to cover costs as we have such a nightmare here ?

 

[AliGage]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Personal perspective yes. But i wouldn't suggest pursuing, it's been 5 years i think you'd be wasting your time. But then again there certainly is no harm in asking!

 

[Cottage lady]

Re: Step by step guidance about installing a waterproof shower cubilcl

Wow !!!! This is most instructive ! Thank you ... how does this system compare to using Hardibacker/ Aquapanel/ Wediboard ? Is it a good idea to tank THESE the Weber way ? Cottage Lady