Installing a new shower—whether a full enclosure, tiled stall, or prefab unit—involves several important considerations. One such consideration is waterproofing. Waterproofing a shower before installation is a crucial step to prevent water damage, mold, and mildew behind tiles or panels. Let’s dive into what you need to know before waterproofing your shower area in preparation for an installation.
Why is Waterproofing Important?
Waterproofing a shower area before installation is crucial to prevent water damage and helps prevent mold and mildew, and protects against wood rot.
The Process of Waterproofing a Shower
Before installing a new shower, you’ll need to get rid of what already exists. You’ll want to get down to the studs by demoing the old tiles and backerboard and replace any rotted plywood. Next, you need to prep the shower area by removing all debris and cleaning the area. After the area is clean and prepped, it’s time to install the mud bed. The proper slope for a mud bed in a shower is critical to ensure water drains efficiently to the shower drain and doesn’t pool or cause leaks.
After the mudbed is set comes the layers of waterproofing membrane. There are two types of waterproofing membrane: liquid and sheet membrane. At Triad Flooring and Bath, we use multiple waterproofing procedures to ultimately make sure your shower is sealed as tight as possible. We can discuss with the client their preferences and make recommendations like Schluter membrane vs Hydroban, which we offer both options.
It’s recommended to perform a water test after installing a shower to verify the waterproofing system is watertight and properly installed before finishing materials like tile are applied.
How To Perform a Water Test
Plug the Drain: Use a test plug (inflatable or mechanical) inserted below the weep holes in the drain to properly seal it.
Fill with Water: Fill the shower base with water—usually to about 2 inches (5 cm) above the threshold level or to the height specified by code (usually 2″ below the curb top). Mark the water level with tape or pencil on the shower wall.
Wait: Let it sit for 24 hours (some local codes may specify a different duration, like 12–24 hours). Make sure there is no drop in water level. Also, check the surrounding areas (ceiling below, walls, etc.) for leaks.
Drain and Inspect: After the test period, if the water level hasn’t dropped and no leaks are observed, the waterproofing is sound. Remove the plug and ensure the water drains properly without pooling.
Once the waterproofing membrane is cured and tested, you can begin tiling over the waterproofed surface.
At Triad Flooring and Bath we can handle any shower installation to bring the vision of your bathroom remodel to life. Call Triad Flooring & Bath today to start your journey to a brand new bathroom!