Wet rooms are a brilliant addition to any British home, offering a sleek look and maximising space in small bathrooms. Planning a wet room renovation yourself might seem like a major project, but it is entirely possible if you take your time and follow the correct steps. You will save a significant amount of money on labour costs by managing the work yourself.
Getting the waterproofing and drainage right is the most critical part of the job to prevent leaks into the rooms below. If you want to tackle this project successfully, read on and find out how to complete each step of the installation.
How to Choose the Best Waterproof Wall Coverings
Traditional tiles are a popular choice for bathrooms, but they require precise grouting and can suffer from water ingress if the seal fails over time. For a DIY project, large waterproof sheets offer a much quicker and more reliable alternative. These panels cover large areas at once, which drastically reduces the number of joints where water could potentially leak through.
When you install these sheets in a high-moisture environment, choosing a product like white hygiene cladding provides an excellent barrier against moisture. This type of material is ideal because it creates a completely smooth surface that is easy to wipe clean and maintain. It’s worth pointing out that these sheets bond directly to your existing plasterboard or backer boards with a strong adhesive, making the installation process simple even for a novice DIYer.
How to Tank a Wet Room Floor Correctly
Waterproofing, or tanking, is the foundation of any successful wet room. You must seal the entire floor area and run the waterproof membrane up the walls by at least 100 millimetres. Liquid tanking kits are widely available in stores and are generally the easiest option for homeowners to apply with a brush or roller.
Before you apply the liquid membrane, you need to reinforce all the joints and corners with self-adhesive waterproofing tape. Movement in the floorboards can cause tiny cracks over time, so this tape ensures the waterproof seal stays intact. Once the tape is in place, you can apply two coats of the liquid primer across the entire surface, allowing plenty of drying time between each layer.
Create the Right Floor Gradient for Drainage
Water will pool in the corners of the room instead of moving towards the drain if the floor is completely flat. To avoid this problem, you need to create a gentle slope towards the waste outlet. The easiest way to achieve this gradient is by installing a pre-formed wet room shower tray mat underneath your flooring.
These mats are made from dense foam and come with the necessary slope already built into the design. You simply fit the tray flush with the rest of the floorboards and lay your final floor surface over the top. It is vital to check the alignment with a spirit level before fixing anything permanently into place.
Select the Right Flooring Materials
The final surface must be completely non-slip and impervious to water to keep the room safe. Vinyl flooring is highly recommended because it is flexible and requires fewer seams than stone or ceramic options. If you choose tiles, make sure you choose porcelain instead of ceramic because porcelain absorbs far less water.
Here is a breakdown of the key tools you will need to complete this flooring stage:
- A high-quality notched trowel for spreading adhesive evenly.
- A heavy-duty utility knife for cutting vinyl sheets to size.
- Waterproof silicone sealant to fill the gaps around the edges of the room.
In the End
Renovating your own wet room takes time and patience, but the financial savings make the effort worthwhile. By breaking the project down into manageable steps and focusing on thorough waterproofing, you can create a durable space.
Just remember to double-check your measurements and let each layer dry fully before moving on to the next task. With the right materials, you’ll enjoy a leak-free bathroom for many years. See More