The shower is, without a doubt, the wettest area of the house, and it only seems obvious that it should be waterproofed. Surprisingly, many modern showers lack the right kind of waterproofing, thereby placing you at risk of experiencing water damage such as structural decay, foundation damage, pest infestations, mould and mildew growth, and structural decay.

Lucky for you, Megasealed is always here to help you answer all your bathroom waterproofing questions. So if you would like to maintain the charming appeal of your bathroom and avoid the costs of fixing water damages, then you are in the right place.

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Did you know? A poorly waterproofed shower can lead to mould growth, structural damage, and expensive repairs. Whether you’re renovating or building new, using the right waterproofing method is critical to protecting your home from long-term water damage.

1. Liquid Membranes

Bathroom waterproofing with liquid membranes is perhaps the easiest and cheapest modern method of waterproofing, which can be applied to any surfaces that come into contact with water or moisture. It can be used for both bathroom walls and floors, including horizontal areas exposed to moisture such as shower benches, shelving, half-walls, niches, and especially the shower floor. This method entails brushing, rolling, or spraying a liquid membrane onto a substrate in the same way you would apply paint. We recommend that, avoid pinholes or voids, it’s best to apply more than one coat as it will ensure you experience no water penetration if you do it right. While this method of shower waterproofing is effective, you will also need to pay attention to the mil thickness, cure times, and mud beds.

Megasealed Pro Tips:

• When installing liquid membranes on horizontal surfaces in a shower such as shelves, half walls, and niches, ensure that these surfaces all have a slight pitch to the drain in addition to applying waterproofing. These surfaces are extremely susceptible to leakage!
• We still recommend installing a vapor barrier behind the substrate, especially if you plan on installing a steam generator in the bathroom.

2. Sheet Membranes

When the waterproofing method is bonded to the substrate with a thinset mortar or other adhesive, it’s called a sheet membrane. The most common sheet membranes are plastic or elastomeric that have to be bonded to the substrate prior to installing tile. Sheet membrane has an advantage over liquid membrane because it’s very easy to see where the membrane is.

On the walls – Some building codes also require these vapor retarder membranes to be installed between the studs and the backer board on outside facing walls, to limit moisture transfer into the framing in wet rooms.

On the floors – Most sheet membranes are pliable, and therefore easy to roll out onto your shower floor or any parts of a wet room.

3. Traditional shower waterproofing

While these methods are rarely used, they are still a viable way of bathroom waterproofing. You can either use shower pan liners or hot mop shower pans.

There you have it, three absolutely effective ways on how to waterproof a shower. For those who already had their bathroom waterproofed by realizing that cracks are forming, you should consider waterproof grout. This entails injecting waterproof grout to the areas affected.

If you need more information, here is a guide on how to waterproof a shower.

Best Practices for Effective Shower Waterproofing

To ensure long-lasting protection against moisture damage, we recommend the following best practices:

• Choose the right waterproofing membrane: Liquid-based membranes are ideal for complex shower designs, while sheet membranes offer superior durability.
• Seal joints and corners properly: Water leaks often occur at tile joints and corners, so use a high-quality waterproof sealant.
• Apply multiple layers: One coat isn’t enough! Apply at least two coats of waterproofing for optimal coverage.
• Conduct a waterproofing test: Before tiling, perform a water leak test to confirm full coverage.

If you have any more questions on bathroom waterproofing, please let us know. Our team of dedicated shower proofing experts are always ready to answer any questions you may have.