A tray is an essential part of a wet room installation, and is necessary for a successful outcome. The tray serves two main purposes: first, it helps to keep a wet room watertight and prevents water from seeping through the floor and walls; second, it allows for a connection between the existing drainage system and the shower area.
This is important because without a tray, water would flow off the floor or down the walls, unable to drain properly.
Trays come in a variety of sizes, materials, and styles in order to suit different wet room needs. The most popular material is usually a steel or plastic construction which has the capability to incline the tray down towards the existing drainage system.
This helps to ensure an efficient flow of water away from the wet room.
Overall, having a tray installed in a wet room is important for both keeping it watertight and helping to connect it to the main drainage system. Without a tray, the wet room may be prone to water damage and could suffer from poor drainage.
It is for this reason that a tray is a must for a successful wet room installation.
What is required for a wet room?
A wet room is a bathroom in which the shower area is integrated with the rest of the space, creating a totally waterproof layer beneath the flooring, which allows the room to be totally waterproof. In order to create a wet room, specific components such as substrate, waterproof membrane and sealing tape must be used.
For the substrate, a high quality, waterproofing and crack-bridging product specifically designed for wet rooms must be used. This can be either a self-levelling compound or a rigid board, such as tilebacker board.
The next step is to lay a waterproof membrane on top of the substrate. The membrane should be laid in two or three layers, with each layer overlapping the previous one. The membrane should be cut to shape and sealed with a waterproof tape.
Finally, a protective sealant should be applied around the edges of the room, including all of the joints, corners and edges. This will help to prevent any moisture escape.
It is important to note that not all substrates, membranes and sealants are created equal, so it is important to research and select the best products for your needs. Additionally, installing a wet room requires careful planning and precision in order to ensure a waterproof, safe and secure wet room.
Professional installation is highly recommended, as it can prevent costly mistakes and make sure the wet room is installed properly.
Can I have a shower without a tray?
Yes, it is possible to have a shower without a tray. Generally speaking, a shower tray is not necessary if the plumbing and drainage are in order – and many modern shower designs offer trayless solutions.
If you are looking to eliminate the need for a tray, there are a variety of designs available. For example, some curved showers, such as waterfall or circular designs, may need no foundation. Also, shower enclosures without an external tray can be installed directly onto a tiled and waterproofed floor.
Alternatively, you can use a stepped design whereby you install a row of tiled steps, both to contain water and to support the shower.
No matter the design you choose, it is important to waterproof the area correctly to avoid any potential leaks. This involves the use of waterproofing material and a shower membrane, which helps contain the water.
If any water should escape, the membrane collects and funnels away any excess moisture.
In addition to trayless designs, there are many materials available for traditional shower trays if space permits. These come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours, and are designed to fit perfectly into the space allocated for the shower.
Whichever design and material you choose for your shower, ensure it is of high quality and able to withstand a lifetime of use.
What is the difference between a wet room and a shower tray?
The biggest difference between a wet room and a shower tray is in terms of installation and the end result. A wet room is created from completely waterproofed tiling, from floor to ceiling, and requires a professional installation.
It is an entirely tiled bathroom, with the shower area separate from the toilet and other fixtures. A wet room provides a luxurious, seamless look and is ideal for modern bathrooms.
In contrast, a shower tray is a pre-formed, plastic-lined tray which goes in the shower area and provides a slightly raised floor. It is usually installed first, and then tiled over. Shower trays are much cheaper and easier to install than a wet room, making them an ideal solution for a quick and easy installation.
Shower trays can also be more cost-effective than wet rooms, since they require less specialist installation.
Is wet room more expensive than shower tray?
The answer is:
It depends. Wet rooms can be more expensive than shower trays, but it can also be the other way around. Generally speaking, wet rooms are more expensive to install because they require more waterproofing and structural work in order to be successful.
A shower tray, on the other hand, only requires a subfloor underneath, and so the installation cost is lower. Additionally, wet rooms may require additional elements such as tiling and drains to be more functional, which can add up to additional costs of installation.
However, if you are looking for more luxury, a wet room may offer more options in terms of design and customization, which can sometimes lead to higher costs. Ultimately, the cost of installation will depend on the size and scale of the project, as well as the materials and labour used.
What can I use instead of a shower tray?
An alternative to using a shower tray is to use a waterproof membrane and drainage system. This system involves laying a waterproof membrane over the floor of the shower area, and including an adequate drainage system.
To provide additional waterproofing, a waterproof sealant should be applied around the perimeter of the shower area. This is especially important if the shower area is located in a bathroom with a raised floor.
Proper drainage will also need to be incorporated into the design, such as a channel drain or a linear shower drain. This type of installation is becoming increasingly popular due to its aesthetic appeal.
You can also use custom tiled or stone showers in lieu of a shower tray. If any of these options are chosen, installing an appropriate waterproofing system is essential in preventing long-term damage.
How do you install a wet room waste?
Installing a wet room waste is not a complicated task, but it does require a few steps and some basic plumbing knowledge to ensure it is done correctly.
First, you will need to buy a wet room waste with the correct outlet size to suit the bathroom sink or other appliance. It is also important to ensure that you buy the correct size cushion, gasket, and any other parts that are necessary for the proper installation of your wet room waste.
Once you have all the right parts, you will need to make sure that the waste outlet is correctly aligned with the other appliance that it is connecting to. You may need to use a spirit level or other measuring device to ensure it is perfectly aligned.
Once the waste outlet is correctly aligned, you will need to install the cushion or gasket included with the wet room waste to see that it creates a good seal around the outlet.
Next, you will need to attach the waste to your wet room wall outlet. This is typically achieved by using a screwdriver or other appropriate tool. Be sure to tighten these screws securely to ensure the waste does not come loose.
Once the waste is secured in place, you will then need to connect it to your wastewater pipe. This is typically done with a large pipe wrench and a few lengths of hose to connect between the two outlets.
Make sure to secure all the connections tightly to prevent any potential leaking.
Finally, you will need to test your work to ensure that the waste is working as it should. Fill up a bucket of water and pour it down the outlet, if it drains away properly then your wet room waste has been installed successfully.
How do you fit a shower tray to joists?
Fitting a shower tray to joists requires a few easy steps.
First, measure the joist width and ensure that it is capable of handling the weight of the shower tray that you intend to install. You’ll find the maximum reached weight for each joist type listed on the side of the joist.
Once you have confirmed that your joists are capable of holding the shower tray’s weight, you’ll need to decide how to fit it. The simplest approach is to use concrete lintels. These come in pre-cut sizes and can be easily fixed to the joists with screws.
Securely fix the lintels to the joists by drilling holes and screwing them into position.
Next, lay a mortar and screed mix over the lintels and joists to provide a flat, even surface. Allow the mortar to set according to manufacturer’s specifications.
On top of the set and levelled mortar, lay a damp-proof membrane that is appropriate for the shower tray. Place the tray on top of the membrane and then join it to the wall with silicone sealant or tape.
Mark the positions of the tray’s supports on the walls and mark the locations for drilling. Use cutting discs to cut through the wall for the correct hole positions.
Then, weld an angle bar to fit the width of the shower tray and screw it into the wall. Make sure that the angle bar is securely screwed into the wall.
Finally, position the shower tray into the angle bars, making sure that it’s level. Secure the shower tray with screws and seal it with silicone caulk.
Do you install shower tray before tiling floor?
When installing a shower tray, there is no single rule about whether to tile the floor first or install the shower tray first. Depending on the type of shower tray, the type of tiles, and the layout of the area, it may be easier to do one before the other.
If installing a wetroom-style shower tray, the shower tray should be installed beneath the shower area before tiling. This ensures that the shower tray is waterproof and can be sealed into place. Then, the tiles should be laid on top of the shower tray.
Once the tiles have been laid, the grout can be mixed and applied to create a waterproof shower area.
If installing a standard shower tray, it is most common to tile the floor first. This is because the shower tray will ‘float’ on top of the tiled area and sit above a waterproof membrane. By tiling the floor first, the area is completely waterproofed, allowing the shower tray to be installed and sealed in place.
No matter which route you decide to go, always make sure the shower tray and waterproof membrane are correctly installed and sealed prior to tiling and grouting. This will ensure that the shower area is securely waterproofed and leak-proofed.
Can you put a wet room on a concrete floor?
Yes, you can put a wet room on a concrete floor. To install a wet room on a concrete floor, you will need to first lay a waterproof tanking membrane. This membrane acts as a waterproof barrier to protect the floor from excessive water.
The membrane also serves to level out the floor so that you can lay your tiles afterwards. Once the membrane is in place, you can then start laying the tiles. Make sure to use waterproof grout to ensure the wet room is watertight.
When the tiles are in place, you will need to install a drainage channel to drain away any excess water. Once the drainage channel is in place, you can then install a shower tray and any other fixtures that are necessary.
Lastly, you should add sealant around any fixtures and the perimeter of the wet room to make sure everything is properly sealed.
Can I put a freestanding bath in a wet room?
Yes, you can put a freestanding bath in a wet room. This can create a very stylish and sophisticated look in the bathroom, however it comes with a few challenges. Firstly, you must make sure the space is large enough to accommodate the bath, as well as having enough clearance around it to allow it to securely sit in place.
Secondly, you must ensure that the floor is perfectly level to allow for the bath to sit securely. Thirdly, you must make sure that the room is protected from moisture and water. This can be done by fitting a waterproof membrane and waterproof sealant around any fittings and fixtures.
Finally, you may want to consider installing a power shower to provide sufficient water pressure to fill the bath. Doing all of these things will ensure that your freestanding bath in a wet-room is both safe and aesthetically pleasing.
Do wet rooms get everything wet?
No, wet rooms don’t typically get everything wet. Wet rooms are installed typically as part of a bathroom and they are designed to be completely waterproof. This is done by applying a waterproof membrane to the walls and floors of the wet room before tiling.
This waterproof membrane is designed to contain any water that enters the room, and any excess water should be able to be drained away into a damp-proof drainage system. Therefore, if the wet room is installed correctly, the majority of the bathroom or surrounding areas should stay dry.