Waterproofing options for new shower room

[Givey Tago]

Hi,

A newcomer here and thank you to anyone with the patience to read my drivel.

I am renovating an old stone house, have just finished a kitchen, and now need to install a first floor shower room (1.7m x 2.35m).

The previous owner had the room to a state of green plasterboard walls, and chipboard floor. There are hot and cold feeds to one of the long walls, for a vanity, and hot and cold feeds - and evacuation - to the end wall, for a shower mixer and shower drain.

I have yet to lift the chipboard but think it is installed on very thick (300mm square) beams presumably with shimming.

I want to install a curb less tiled shower across the width of the room (1700mm). This will be partially partitioned by a half-height wall, and a glass screen. I think around 90cm deep leaving 80cm access into the shower. I shall install a vanity along the remainder of the long wall (spanning between the short wall with the door into the room, and the half-height partition wall for the shower). So a simple layout. And I would like to heat the floor and the shower floor. But most of all, I want it watertight!

Cost is always an issue but it is a relatively small room and I am not a pro, so I would rather pay for reliability and ease.

The various systems are driving me crazy and if I watch another YouTube shower video I may lose it altogether 🤣

The main choices appear to be Wedi or Kerdi/Schluter.

My understanding is that I would need to…

1) Take up the chipboard, see what I have, but aim for a level subfloor of 22mm marine ply with the ply dropped between the beams in the shower area to accommodate the tray;
2) With Wedi, panel the shower area and 3ft beyond with 1/2” panels (effectively the whole area as it is a small room) - either over or in place of the plasterboard;
3) Build the partition wall by laminating 2x 1” sheets of Wedi;
4) Deck over the plywood floor with 1/4” Wedi (and plan the shower subfloor so it will still be flush)
5) Install a heat mat on the floor and in the shower;
6) Cover with thinset;
7) Tile floor and then walls.

Have I understood the layers and sequence?
Is Wedi a good option for me or should I be thinking Kerdi/Schluter (I do like the lapping and the reliance of Wedi on caulking seems more error-prone)? Or something else?
Can I apply heat mat direct to the polystyrene shower base?

My thinking is that the Wedi will waterproof everywhere and give me a slip layer above the plywood. I would have no slip layer in the shower but I guess I don’t need one as I am tiling onto the shower tray (over the mat set in thinset).

Thanks for any comments, whether I am on the right lines or missing something vital!

 

[Givey Tago]

am I tripping or is the floor not perfectly leveled? No hate just that it ticks me

No offence taken 🤣

It is not level - the two tiles in the far right corner, into the shower stall, are installed on a 2-3 degree Wedi riolito Neo shower tray with a linear drain up against the wall.

It was my worry about preserving the slope, whilst setting the heating mat in self leveller, that I was posting about earlier.

The rest of the floor is plumb, pinky promise!

 

[Givey Tago]

 

[Tile Marble Granite]

View attachment 134363

The ledge, waterproof it well and install a slab on top with a 3/4 overleap and insert it under the wall tile if possible. The ledge should always be pitched down towards the shower. Don't know if you can do that now. Give it a try. There will be loads of water going on top of the ledge. Once done apply Silicon.

 

[Givey Tago]

A quick update! The tiling was largely completed a few weeks ago, now just awaiting the tiles for the back of the niche (madam spent some time choosing) and the Crosswater shower head.. they do one that sits flush in the ceiling, in brushed bronze to match the rest of the fittings, but can’t make it yet! Then I need to make the vanity unit and install the sink (my wife wanted to use reclaimed oak so I have some old wagon floor boards and am just setting up a saw table).

And I need to Silicon the corners but am looking for a slightly off-white Silicon. I bought one called ‘Sable’ (sand) but it is a bit too brown. Any ideas about Silicon brands with a good range of colour options - I’d be grateful…

So once siliconed, niche finished and vanity built I can say it is finished. Once I can be sure it is watertight I shall put this particular job behind me.

PS - have tested floor and it warms up nicely (thinset has now long cured, I am so slow).

 

[Tile Marble Granite]

Looks great!
Ball, Ardex or Mapei Silicon

 

[Givey Tago]

Looks great!
Ball, Ardex or Mapei Silicon

Thank you!

 

[Givey Tago]

Vanity unit now made as per madam’s preference for reclaimed oak boards. Going to need to seal the wood as best I can - it should be well away from the line of fire but there will be water spillage around the sink no doubt. Any product suggestions, please let me know!

I ordered Butech sealant in the end because I used Butech grout and they do a matching Silicon. So I am waiting for that, and a large format wood effect tile for the back of the niche that should match the vanity.

Finally I am waiting for the cross water flush-fitting shower head… they have been very apologetic about the delay as the bronze finish is quite a rare product line I think.

I like the bronze but it is a pain in the arse to try and match to tile trim, shower profile, towel rail, door handles… 😭

Thanks for all the helpful advice I have had along the way, I appreciate it!

 

[Tile Marble Granite]

It looks great!
Inside the shower at the bottom where the wall meets the floor, use Silicon. Apply Silicon all the corners.
The wooden unit looks great as well. If you would go to Builder's Depot, B&Q, they have wood sealers, loads to choose from.