If you are concerned about the tile grouting that could be penetrated by water when using the shower, then it is important to install a waterproof membrane. This material will act as protection and water will be diverted toward the drain which could also prevent the formation of mold.
Plumbers were able to install chlorinated polyethylene that could effectively act as barrier against moisture. Here are the steps that you can follow to handle this task.
1. You Should Examine the Shower
The shower area must be examined thoroughly in order to determine the existence of sharp objects such as nails. If you can’t remove the nails, a sander can help to flush them down the drain. You can also clean the area with the use of vacuum cleaner so that you can have a greaseless and dust-free area.
2. Level the Walls and Floor
If possible, you can apply a thin layer of mortar to the shower area and walls. You also need to utilize a waterproofing substrate that is designed for showers. Simply make sure that the substrate is being applied sloping downward the drainpipe to prevent water from settling.
3. Apply the Membrane to the Shower Area
If possible, try to measure the perimeter of the shower. After determining the area, you can now roll out the membrane. Membranes are generally marked with lines having six-inch intervals. This can be used as guidelines and not accurate measurements. Thus, you need to cut the membrane based on your calculations using scissors or utility knife.
Manufacturers advise the use of prefabricated shower base. But if you can’t find one, just try to incise the corners using a single cut pattern. Leftovers will eventually each other along the corners. So you need to install the membrane upon the shower base and try to press firmly in the corners. Then, you need to cut a hole along the drain.
You need to withdraw the membrane and apply adhesives to it. This should be fitted to the shower area so that it will bond tightly on the flooring. Just take good care of the drain and the corners.
4. Apply the Membrane to the Walls
Try to follow the steps from the top, measure the membrane and stick the membrane to the walls. If ever the area that needs waterproofing is larger than the membrane sheet, it is essential that you seem sheets together. An overlap must be left to overlap at around three inches. A hot-air gun can be used to flatten the seams and improve its effectiveness. Copper nails can also be used to fix the edge on top.
5. Test and Apply the Shower Pan
Clean the work area after you have installed the membrane. Thus, you can check the shower area if leaks exist. You need to get the shower floor filled with water and mark the top edge with marker. If you observe a decrease in water the following day, you need to remove the water and you have to apply another three-inch membrane around the seams. After doing so, try to apply adhesive to the floor and install the shower pan in place. For best results, you have to leave it to dry overnight. After getting it right, remember to tile the area being covered with membrane.
