How do I install a shower waterproofing system?
Find out everything you need to know to install your shower waterproofing system!
00:14 Materials and tools required
00:19 OPTION 1 | LIQUID MEMBRANE WITH ACRYLIC SHOWER BASE
00:24 Fixing gypsum panels for wet areas
00:27 Wick preparation and sealant application
00:48 Preparation and application of liquid waterproofing membrane
01:04 Wick application
01:29 Application of 1st coat of liquid waterproofing membrane over entire surface and drying
01:42 Application of 2nd coat of liquid waterproofing membrane over entire surface and drying
01:53 OPTION 2 | WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE AND VAPOUR BARRIER WITH PREFABRICATED SHOWER BASE
01:56 Marking the 2 X 4 on the floor02:02 Fixing tile panels
02:18 Preparing and applying cement and waterproofing tape
02:31 Installation of drain, shower base and thresholds, and sealing of corners
03:02 Installation of grate
03:12 Application of waterproofing tape
03:26 OPTION 3 | ROLL MEMBRANE WITH ACRYLIC BASE
03:30 Preparation of membranes
03:36 Preparation of thin-set mortar
03:40 Moistening walls, applying thin-set mortar and installing membranes
03:55 Secure membrane to base with sealant
Materials and tools required
Materials
- Waterproofing membrane (liquid membrane or sheet membrane)
- Cement (adapted to the chosen membrane)
- Shower threshold
- Waterproofing tape (often supplied with sheet membranes)
- Silicone or sealant
- Primer (for certain surfaces, if required)
- Waterproofing corners (if base to be tiled)
- Drain compatible with membrane
- Sealing washers and screws
Tools
- Serrated trowel
- Smooth trowel
- Level
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Spatula or paint roller (if using liquid membrane)
- Sponge and bucket of water (for cleaning joints)
- Caulking gun (for silicone)
- Tile saw or tile cutter
- Drill with mixer (to prepare adhesive mortar)
- Ruler or square
- Bucket
OPTION 1 | Liquid membrane with acrylic shower base
Fixing gypsum panels for wet areasUse gypsum panels specially designed for wet areas.
Fasten these panels to the wood or metal studs of the shower wall using suitable screws.
Wick preparation and sealant application
To ensure optimum watertightness of your shower, start by precisely measuring the perimeter of the base, where it comes into contact with the walls.
Make sure you also take into account the corners of the shower walls.
Cut your wick according to the dimensions you've taken.
Once the dimensions have been taken and the wick pieces cut, apply a suitable sealant around the perimeter of your acrylic base.
Preparing and applying liquid waterproofing membrane
Mix your liquid waterproofing membrane before its first use and pour a small quantity into a paint tray.
Using a paintbrush, apply a coat of liquid waterproofing membrane to the gypsum walls where you'll be affixing the pre-cut wick.
Wick application
Glue the wick to the gypsum wall, making sure to glue it to your shower base.
Add a coat of liquid waterproofing membrane to your wick, making sure to smooth the joints to prevent water infiltration.
For optimum watertightness, also add a layer of liquid waterproofing membrane to the corners of the shower walls and install the wick.
Be sure to smooth the joints to prevent water infiltration.
Apply a 1st coat of liquid waterproofing membrane over the entire surface and allow to dry.
Using a roller, apply your liquid waterproofing membrane to the entire surface of your shower walls.
Allow to dry according to manufacturer's instructions.
Apply a 2nd coat of liquid waterproofing membrane over the entire surface and allow to dry.
Apply a second coat of liquid waterproofing membrane to the entire surface of your shower walls.
Allow to dry according to manufacturer's recommendations.
OPTION 2 | Waterproofing membrane and vapour barrier with prefabricated shower base
Marking 2 x 4s on the floor
Mark the location of your 2 x 4s on the floor so you know exactly where to screw in your tile panels, ensuring a solid, secure installation.
Fixing tile panels
Fasten your tiling panels to the wall using suitable screws and washers, based on the marks you've made so you know exactly where to screw them in, to ensure a solid installation.
Leave a slight gap (approx. 1/8") between the bottom of the panels and the floor, or the bottom of the panels and your base, to avoid friction between the substrates.
Preparing and applying cement and waterproofing tape
Mix cement according to manufacturer's recommendations, then apply with a trowel to cover screws and corners.
For optimum watertightness, apply waterproofing tape over the cement.
Installing drain, shower base, thresholds and sealing corners
Install your drain and shower base according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Don't forget to dampen the plywood with a sponge previously soaked in water and wrung out to remove dust and prevent the plywood from absorbing water from the cement-glue during installation.
Using a wooden float, apply pressure to the surface of your shower base to ensure optimum adhesion of the cement.
Continue by installing the thresholds, making sure to seal the corners with the sealing strips.Installing the grille.
Install the grille according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Applying sealing strips
Next, apply sealing strips to the base and panels to ensure optimum protection.
Continue by carefully sealing wall corners with sealing strips.
OPTION 3 | Roll membrane with acrylic base
Membrane preparation
Measure the surface to be covered, then cut the required membrane pieces in advance.
Preparing the thin-set mortar
Prepare and mix the thin-set mortar.
Moistening the walls, applying the thin-set mortar and laying the membranes
Moisten walls to remove dust residues.
Apply thin-set mortar to the wall, then lay the membrane in rolls, making sure it adheres well with a plastic trowel to remove any air bubbles.
Overlap membranes at least 2” wide (see manufacturer's recommendations) in the corners to ensure optimum watertightness.
Securing the membrane to the base with a sealant
Secure the membrane to the acrylic base with a sealant to ensure a complete watertight seal.