Waterproofing Showers Before Tiling

After the second coat is dry and the whole shower area is prepped it s time to make tile decisions before going any further.

Waterproofing showers before tiling. You re going to want to use ardex 8 9 for the shower pan and cover the seam between the shower and tile floor by waterproofing at least 3ft out past the shower. Use the notched trowel to spread mortar over the entire shower floor then press a sheet of waterproof membrane into the wet mortar. Measure each wall area calculating the width times height.

Smooth the membrane with the trowel. There are two types of waterproof membranes sheet and liquid applied options. With the installation of a waterproof membrane followed by water resistant cement boards your enclosure will be safely sealed usually within the course of a single afternoon s work.

Always use site mixed thin set mortar. So where i last left off i had taken out the old shower tile and cut out the damaged drywall. Never use mastic or premixed thin set.

To prevent water damage you must install a waterproof membrane just below the tile bonding mortar as close to the tile as possible. Once the waterproofing membrane s been installed and after it s been left undisturbed for a couple of days to properly cure it s time for the tiles to be put on wherever they re required. Most waterproofing problems occur before the tile and grout is installed within the layers above.

Fortunately waterproofing an enclosure is only a matter of proper preparation of the walls before the first tile is laid. There are however a few things worth noting in this last layer. Waterproofing and tiling the master shower an overview 1.

Apply masking tape around the wall to the level you want to make waterproof. If you re going with a built in shower base the mortar bed screed for the shower will also need to be put in before the tiles go on. Remove the old shower tile and green board drywall.