Tile Shower Wall Prep

Preparing A Shower Wall For Tile within measurements 1537 X 2049

Tile Shower Wall Prep – When most people enter their tile shower they rarely take into account the behind the scenes method that went into making that shower be effective. Unfortunately some contractors will use this for their advantage to go cheap and save a few bucks. I have to say most contractors making the effort to do an adequate job, and some ones never learned the proper procedure and why these processes are important. The best way to find the best tile contractor is to you can keep them explain the theory. If they can show you the ins and outs behind the scenes, higher you will definately get a great job. If friends and family refer somebody for your requirements will still be OK to ask these questions, all things considered what can friends and family fully realize concerning the foundation a tiled shower? They may have discovered a contractor that’s nice and an easy task to work with as well as their brand-new shower looks great, in case you don’t want to fight mildew in six months but for the next 20 years you may ask a few of questions.

So let’s begin at the start and explain common language and theory of a tile shower. First you have what is called a shower pan. This is a completely waterproof section that covers the shower floor or over the walls about 10″. This is sometimes a hot mop, (the quantity of layers of tar paper, hot tar, tar paper, hot tar and the like) or it can be a PVC membrane that’s folded in the corners well as over the dam. The most important thing about this for you personally the homeowner to learn is naturally it is absolutely waterproof but also it has what is called a sub-pitch. A proper sub-pitch is simply float of cement or similar product within the pan that can cause a flow to the drain along with the shower pan. This is important because, say for example your shower pan is flat (no sub-pitch) water will travel through your grout and earn its way to the pan while showering. If this water forms a puddle through your tile floor rather than flowing for the drain it will become stagnant and very quickly will end up mildew with your grout. With a sub-pitch water which makes its way to the pan continues to circulate for the drain always being replaced with water. It is much like the difference between a pond and a creek.

Next there is a vapor barrier that’s applied to the walls directly to the wood studs. This is commonly a paper which has a tar trapped in the center. This paper keeps moisture from the walls. Why is this important? Not a lot of water penetrates the shower walls, however the substrate (the substrate is whatever surface your tile is stuck to, backer board, cement float, etc.) this surface are 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 definately get small amounts of water into your wall cavity. So you say “why should I be worried about this kind of little bit of water”. The reason is when you’re getting a drop of water within your wall each time your shower is used, those drops mount up when your wall has no ventilation for evaporation, so eventually the wood is always moist. Do you know what loves moist wood? Termites, they love these conditions since they never have to travel back to the ground to acquire a drink, they can just keep eating. It would be as if you and I never having to go to the supermarket. Think of how productive we’re able to be in the event it were the case.

Well that’s the theory of waterproofing behind your shower walls. When you follow the following tips your shower has the best chance of looking wonderful for quite some time, without extreme maintenance.

So to summarize, I hope this has been an informative and also understandable explanation of why an adequately waterproofed shower makes a difference. As a Contractor I welcome customers who’ll ask me these questions, it tells me they comprehend the value of a job done well.