How To Install A Waterproofing Membrane In A Shower?

Wet areas in your home are highly prone to water leakages due to the sheer amount of moisture that is consistently filling it. Given how much damage water can do your home’s structure, it would be in your best interest to take strong preventive measures against such leakages. In particular, one area that you should be weary of is your shower, which easily introduces the most amount of water into your bathroom.

By virtue of the activity of showering, you can expect a large splash area, affecting all four walls as well as your bathroom tiles. In order to protect these surfaces, we recommend engaging a waterproofing contractor for the installation of a waterproofing membrane in your shower. How do they perform this? In this article, we will be covering the steps taken for the installation of the membrane.

Why Use a Waterproofing Membrane

By applying a waterproofing membrane in your shower, you would be preventing water from penetrating your bathroom floor. In the event that water manages to first infiltrate the grouting of the tiles, your membrane acts as a main and second line of defence. Since water cannot pass through the membrane, it is eventually displaced towards the drain. A the same time, since water is not trapped in the structure, the growth of mould is prevented.

Previous Installation Methods

In the past, plumbers would install thin sheets of lead to give your shower area water resistance. However, since lead is potentially hazardous, substitutes have since been fielded in order to combat moisture safely.

Installing the Waterproofing Membrane

There are 4 steps that contractors take to install the waterproofing membrane in your shower area.

Step 1 – Examining your Shower

Before any works can be done, a waterproofing specialist will need to examine your shower area and prepare it for the works. This includes taking measurements and determining if there are already any existing bathroom leaks. Furthermore, the shower area needs to be combed for nails or sharp objects that must be removed before the installation of the membrane. Finally, all dust and grease is removed using a vacuum cleaner.

Step 2 – Levelling the Floor & Walls

Once preparations are complete, a thin layer of mortar is applied to the walls and shower area. In addition, a waterproof substrate made for shower areas is applied to the base. A recommended practice here is to create a slope with the substrate so as to direct water towards your drainpipe and prevent any water settling or the formation of miniature pools.

Step 3 – Applying the Membrane to the Floor & Walls

Based on the calculations of the shower area’s perimeter, you would then prepare the membrane to fit it. The exact measures taken here varies depending on the type of waterproofing membrane chosen by the contractor for your shower area. However, regardless of the type of membrane chosen, the main idea here is to cover the entire floor, while leaving a hole for the drain.

Furthermore, the waterproofing specialist will have to ensure that the membrane bonds tightly to the floor with no gaps. This is especially important in the corners and around the drain where little pockets of space or gaps are typically found.

In similar vein to how the contractor applied the waterproofing membrane to the floor, the same must be done with the walls. A challenge that emerges here lies in the fine line between the walls and the shower floor. It is here where waterproofing systems tend to be the weakest and thus need to be given more attention during the installation phase.

Step 4 – Test Your Waterproofing System

Once the waterproofing membrane has being installed, a simple test is done. The drain is blocked while the shower floor is filled with water up till a certain marked height. A full day is then given in which the water is allowed to remain.

On the next day, a check is made as to whether the water level has decreased. If it is has, it is indicative that water is leaking through your floor. In which case, the water is drained while an additional layer of waterproofing membrane is laid over before the test is repeated.

If the membrane works as intended, then the shower pan is put in place while the shower is left to dry overnight. Finally, a sealer is applied on the edge while tiles are used to cover the entire membrane.

Choosing the Right Membrane for your Shower

Two types of waterproofing membranes are commonly used for shower areas – sheets and liquid.

Sheet Waterproofing Membranes

Bonded sheet membranes are a stable and reliable solution for your shower area. Being pre-manufactured, contractors do not have to worry about the thickness of each layer applied to your shower area. In addition, sheets can be applied and bonded quickly, with no need to apply multiple times or wait for them to cure.

One challenge that is inherent to sheet membranes is the difficulty in waterproofing the seams. To overcome this, most waterproofing specialists will choose to overlap one waterproofing membrane over another. Furthermore, in the corners or where the walls and flooring meet, banding material is used to offer an extra layer of protection.

Liquid Waterproofing Membranes

Liquid membranes offer contractors greater flexibility in their approach to protecting your shower area. Without having fixed configurations, you could have your shower in any shape or makeup while still having your contractor install the liquid membrane.

Having said that, it is definitely more complex to apply than sheet membranes. The challenge here is that your contractor will need to get the proper thickness of each coat, which is way more difficult than it sounds.  Another drawback of liquid membranes is the amount of time it takes to dry. In reality, this means that after each coat is applied, it must finish drying completely before another coat can be laid.

As such, if you are in a hurry to complete the works, a liquid membrane may not be the most suitable solution for your project.

Choose ProSeal Contracts For Your Waterproofing Needs

ProSeal Contracts is a waterproofing company in Singapore with more than 20 years’ experience. As one of the leading waterproofing contractor companies, we use the highest quality of materials to ensure long lasting results. Trust us to assess, choose and apply the right waterproofing procedures for your building’s needs. Enquire about our water leakage specialist Singapore services today.