Wet Room Construction Options - Advice Pls!

[dashing66]

Hi there folks, I'm a newbie to this forum so apols if I commit a gaffe or two. Quick question if I may, my plumber has offered me two choices regarding the construction of a wet room. Either Marmox sheets or moisture board which would then be tanked. After a bit of impartial advice as to which method I should go with.
Thanks in advance!
Dashing.

 

[White Room]

What do you class as moisture board....

 

[thompsonbrown]

Hi Dashing & welcome to the forum.
Plumbers offering advice on wet-room construction can be a real hit or miss calculation you should make before committing to installation.
Is he competent of installing a wet room and has he a proven track record of installations previous.
Most plumbers I know should stay clear of wet room installs and without experience or wet room qualifications, should not be quoting for these jobs anyway.
In my experience most plumbers are not capable of installing wet rooms.
Right! back to your question.
If your "Plumber" has given you a choice between Marmox or moisture boards I hope your talking about wall preparation and in my opinion Marmox is superior!! However, Moisture board installed with a good tanking kit like Ardex will work fine and also should be more cost effective.
I would also recommend you should Incorporate UFH with all wetroom installations and your tiling is carried out by a competent fitter.
I honestly don't mean to give Plumbers a bad name in fitting wet rooms as I am also a plumber, but trained in Impey wet room installations, and has a proven track record to back it up.
Sorry if I give you earache in this plumber bashing and wish you well with your install.

 

[One Day]

It really doesn't matter what you use if it's installed incorrectly, which i have to say is so often the case when installed by anyone who hasn't had proper training. before letting anyone prepare a wetroom you would do well to ask to see his certificates of attendance on an installers course. Don't take any chances with wet area prep.

 

[One Day]

To answer the question though, marmox is inherently waterproof but only if all the joints and fasteners are taped and sealed. Internal corners are where most leaks will occur due to failure of the installer to prepare these properly. Also drain assembly is a weak spot and if the installation isn't 100% that can cause issues too. Simple rule is that you should be able to safely use a wet room before any tiles are fixed. If you can't, then it's not been prepared correctly.

 

[dashing66]

What do you class as moisture board....

Hi Whitebeam, by moisture boards I was referring to green plasterboard, which would then be tanked.
Thanks,
Dashing

 

[SJPurdy]

Many wet area fails that I have seen have been due to leaking plumbing behind the boarding - Marmox type boards will be unaffected by this and the dampness showing through other walls/ceilings will give an indication of the leak that can then be fixed. A tanked plasterboard (whatever the colour) wall with a leak behind it will just disintegrate.