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Paints, Coatings and Finishes
News Release from: Mapei UK | Subject: Perfect Wet Room Installation
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 January 2007
Mapei and 'The Perfect Wet Room
Installation'
Mapei explain how to install the perfect wet room installation in a Period House.
Mapei and The Perfect Wet Room Installation Example: Installing a 2m x 2m Wet Room in a Period House..
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 9 Sep 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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There are two critical stages to consider when installing a wet room especially when this room is to be located on an upper floor.
Once these considerations are taken into account the success of the installation is ensured.
* The floor and wall backgrounds must be stable, secure and rigid.
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* The floor must be able to take any additional load that will result from the installation.
The weight of the tiling etc must be taken into consideration.
It may be necessary to seek the advice of a Structural Engineer.
* Ventilation must be maintained beneath the timber floor base to prevent any future problems with rot.
* The wet room area must be totally waterproofed or 'tanked' to ensure that the only escape route for the water is via the drainage outlet.
Floor background..
As the premises is a period house it is likely that the floor construction consists of timber floorboards nailed to timber joists.
These boards may be in poor condition where they have been lifted for access.
Damaged boards should be replaced with new timber.
Dependent upon the condition of the floor we would recommend preparation as follows:.
* Where the floorboards are in good condition they may be left in position and screw fixed at a minimum of 300mm centres in all directions.
It may be necessary to insert additional supporting noggins.
* Where the floorboards are in poor condition they should either be * Removed and replaced with a minimum 18mm marine or WBP grade plywood which should be screw fixed at a minimum of 300mm centres in all directions to the joists.
It may be necessary to insert additional supporting noggins.
* Overlaid with a minimum 15mm marine or WBP grade plywood which should be screw fixed at a minimum of 300mm centres in all directions.
The floorboards beneath should also be screwed to the joists.
Waterproofing.
It will be necessary to create falls within the floor so that waste water is diverted towards the drain.
Mapei offer two different sizes of Shower Base that may be fitted directly to the joists to partially replace the timber background.
Convenient pre-cut holes with a matching drain outlet with cover plate provide for a simple yet effective installation.
Mapei are experts when it comes to waterproof solutions and are able to offer comprehensive solutions to cover all eventualities.
Mapei's Mapegum WPS, a ready-to-use liquid waterproof membrane, can be used to provide a watertight finish to the wall and floor areas (except direct to floorboards).
Mapegum WPS can be applied by brush or roller.
To provide extra support in critical locations it is essential that Mapeband, flexible waterproof tape, is used to reinforce wall and floor angles, internal wall angles and along board joints e.g where the shower base meets the main plywood floor.
Mapeband internal and external corners are pre-formed pieces to ensure a watertight corner joint.
Where pipework penetrates the walls they can be easily sealed with the Mapeband Pipe Gasket.
Similarly the floor waste can be waterproofed with the Mapeband Outlet Gasket.
When used in combination with the Mapei Mapeband materials, Mapegum WPS ensures a watertight tank.
We would recommend an alternative approach where the floorboards have been left in situ.
It must be reiterated that the floorboards must be very stable, well secured and rigid (free from undue deflection).
In this case we would use the more robust material, Mapelastic Smart as the waterproof membrane.
This would be used in combination with the Mapeband system in an identical manner as described above.
Mapelastic Smart is a two part material requiring mixing together prior to application.
Similarly this product can be applied by brush or roller to waterproof the walls and floor.
To waterproof the boarded floor it will be necessary to follow these simple steps:.
* sand the boards until clean wood is exposed.
* thoroughly vacuum the dust created.
* prime the boards with Mapei Eco Prim R, neoprene primer.
* fill all gaps between the boards with a sealant e.g Mapeflex AC4.
* apply Mapelastic Smart.
* whilst still wet bed Mapei Fibreglass Mesh into the Mapelastic Smart.
* apply a second coat of Mapelastic Smart.
Tiling.
Once the above preparation and waterproofing measures have been achieved all types of tiled finishes can be installed from glass mosaic to porcelain to natural stone.
Mapei have an extensive range of adhesives and grouts for all these types of tiles. Request a free brochure from Mapei UK ...
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