Waterproofing Shower Walls Before Tiling

Preparing A Shower Wall For Tile in measurements 1537 X 2049

Waterproofing Shower Walls Before Tiling – When most people enter their tile shower they rarely consider the behind the scenes method that went into making that shower work correctly. Unfortunately some contractors use this to their benefit to cut corners and save a couple bucks. I have to say most contractors want to do a passable job, and some ones never learned the correct procedure and why these processes are important. The best method to find the best tile contractor is usually to keep these things explain the theory. If they are able to inform you the way it operates behind the scenes, it is more probably you will get an excellent job. If your pals refer somebody for you will still be OK to question these questions, in fact what can your pals truly know regarding the foundation a tiled shower? They may have discovered a contractor that’s nice and all to easy to use and their brand-new shower looks great, but if you dont want to fight mildew in half a year and for the next 20 years you are going to ask a couple of questions.

So let’s move on from the outset and explain common language and theory of the tile shower. First you have what is known a shower pan. This is a completely waterproof section that covers the shower floor or more the walls about 10″. This is either a hot mop, (that is a variety of layers of tar paper, hot tar, tar paper, hot tar and so on) or it’s really a PVC membrane that is folded to the corners well as over the dam. The most important much of this for you personally the homeowner to learn is needless to say it’s totally waterproof but additionally who’s has what is known a sub-pitch. A proper sub-pitch is simply a float of cement or similar product under the pan that creates a flow towards the drain in addition to the shower pan. This is important because, say for example your shower pan is flat (no sub-pitch) water will traverse your grout making its way towards the pan while showering. If this water forms a puddle below your tile floor rather than flowing for the drain it might be stagnant and shortly can be mildew in your grout. With a sub-pitch the river that creates its way towards the pan continue circulation for the drain always being substituted with fresh water. It is similar to the difference between a pond along with a creek.

Next you have a vapor barrier that is applied towards the walls directly towards the wood studs. This is ordinarily a paper that features a tar held in the guts. This paper keeps moisture out of the walls. Why is this important? Not a lot of water penetrates the shower walls, though the substrate (the substrate is whatever surface your tile is stuck to, backer board, cement float, etc.) this surface is certain to get moist. Moisture will move from substrate toward the interior wall, out through the grout and down for the pan, without vapor barrier paper you will get small amounts of water into your wall cavity. So you say “why should I concern yourself with a real little bit of water”. The reason is when you get a drop of water within your wall every time your shower is utilized, those drops mount up as your wall has no ventilation for evaporation, so eventually the wood is definitely moist. Do you know what loves moist wood? Termites, they love these conditions since they never have to travel back towards the ground to secure a drink, they are able to just keep eating. It would be like you and I never having to go towards the food store. Think of how productive we’re able to be if that were the truth.

Well that’s the theory of waterproofing behind your shower walls. When you adhere to the following tips your shower has the best possibility of being confident for many years, without extreme maintenance.

So in conclusion, I hope it has been an enlightening and also understandable explanation of why an adequately waterproofed shower makes a difference. As a Contractor I welcome customers which will ask me these questions, it tells me they view the value of the job congratulations.