River Rock Shower Wall
|River Rock Shower Wall – When most of the people enter their tile shower they rarely consider the behind the scenes method that went into making that shower work effectively. Unfortunately some contractors uses this with their benefit to cut corners and save a couple bucks. I have to say most contractors are trying to do an adequate job, however some of these never learned the correct procedure and why these processes are crucial. The best approach to look for a tile contractor is always to keep these things explain the theory. If they are able to inform you how it operates behind the scenes, higher you will definately get an excellent job. If your mates refer somebody for your requirements will still be OK to ask these questions, all things considered what can your mates actually know in regards to the reasons for a tiled shower? They may have found a contractor who is nice and simple to use as well as their brand-new shower looks great, in case ensure fight mildew in a few months and for the next two decades you’ll ask a couple of questions.
So let’s start at the beginning and explain common language and theory of an tile shower. First you have what is known as a shower pan. This is a completely waterproof section that covers the shower floor or over the walls about 10″. This is whether hot mop, (the quantity of layers of tar paper, hot tar, tar paper, hot tar and so on) or it’s really a PVC membrane that is folded into the corners and over the dam. The most important part of this in your case the homeowner to learn is of course it’s totally waterproof but in addition that it has what is known as a sub-pitch. A proper sub-pitch is only a float of cement or similar product within the pan that produces a flow on the drain along with 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 on the pan while showering. If this water forms a puddle below your tile floor as an alternative to flowing on the drain it will become stagnant and soon can be mildew in your grout. With a sub-pitch the lake that creates its way on the pan continue to flow on the drain always being replaced with freshwater. It is much like the difference between a pond along with a creek.
Next there is a vapor barrier that is applied on the walls directly on the wood studs. This is normally a paper that has a tar trapped in the middle. This paper keeps moisture from 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 can get moist. Moisture will move from substrate toward the lining wall, out over the grout and down on the pan, without vapor barrier paper you will definately get small amounts of water into your wall cavity. So you say “why should I bother about this type of little bit of water”. The reason is when you are getting a drop of water with your wall every time your shower can be used, those drops accumulate when your wall doesn’t have ventilation for evaporation, so eventually the wood is obviously moist. Do you know what loves moist wood? Termites, they love these conditions given that they never have to travel back on the ground to secure a drink, they are able to just keep eating. It would be as you and I never having to go on the market. Think of how productive we could be if it were the situation.
Well that’s the theory of waterproofing behind your shower walls. When you stick to these guidelines a new shower has got the best possibility of looking great for quite some time, without extreme maintenance.
So a final thought, I hope it is been an informative along with understandable explanation of why a nicely waterproofed shower makes a difference. As a Contractor I welcome customers who will ask me these questions, it tells me they view the value of an job well done.