subject: What is a wetroom and what do I need to build one? [print this page] What is a wetroom and what do I need to build one?
The idea of having a wetroom in your home is rapidly growing in popularity, and thankfully also in its ease of installation nowadays. What was once a job only for builders and expert DIY enthusiasts has become an achievable task for everyone, with materials available off-the-shelf, and helpful How-To guides available from most tiles specialists. A wet room by nature is essentially a completely waterproof bathroom, characterised by a walk-in shower area with a floor the same level as the rest of the room, and typically, an underfloor heating system. The drainage system is made possible through the use of a gentle sloping floor unit, known as a top deck former', which slopes towards a drain gulley encouraging any moisture from the shower or bathroom to flow away. The underfloor heating compliments the drainage system by drying any remaining moisture from the floor. The benefits of installing a wet room in your home are not only that you get to enjoy the luxury of a heated bathroom, and a walk-in shower area, but also that you never have to worry about spillages or making too big a splash in the bath! In addition to this, it is likely to add value to your home, and create a real wow-factor' when guests come to visit.
As already mentioned, the main component of a wetroom is the top deck former (also known as a wet room tray'). The deck features a gradient of approximately 2 degrees, flowing towards a drainage gully and is central to the functionality of the whole room. Available in a number of sizes, this is the first item that it's advisable you measure for, taking into account that it's always better to buy one that's slightly bigger than your shower area will be, than too small. In addition to the top deck, it is also necessary to completely waterproof your floors and walls, ensuring there are no gaps between tiles and features, and a proper seal has been made through the use of tile grout and sealant.
In order to help waterproof the floor of your wetroom, and achieve an even floor level between your top deck former and your bathroom tiles, HardieBacker board can be used as an alternative to plasterboard or plywood to provide protection and to create the right surface to tile onto. This cement-based board is excellent in providing a strong bond for tiles, and features a water-resistant formula with special Mouldblock technology to inhibit the growth of mould and harmful bacteria. One of the most important features of HardieBacker board, and one that distinguishes it from other materials using in tile-backing is the way in which it provides a consistent level of dimensional stability, even when exposed to moisture for extended periods of time. This is very important to achieve when creating a wet room, as the dimensional flow of moisture needs to be maintained in order to prevent water from pooling on the floor.
Used in conjunction with HardieBacker board, a layer of waterproof matting that covers the walls and floor of your wetroom is laid just before tiling begins to ensure a complete waterproof seal, and to prevent any moisture that does happen to pass through the tiles or grouting, from reaching and damaging your floor. On top of this matting, an underfloor heating system can be laid, ready to heat the tiles that will go on top of it.
