Process and cost factors

Waterproofing sign-off: the stage that protects everything after it

Questions to ask any fitter

Waterproofing should extend well beyond the shower area itself, covering the whole floor in a wet room and a sensible upstand height elsewhere.

Every joint, corner and pipe penetration needs its own dedicated waterproofing detail, a general coat of membrane isn't enough at these points.
Waterproofing should extend well beyond the shower area itself, covering the whole floor in a wet room and a sensible upstand height elsewhere.

Every joint, corner and pipe penetration needs its own dedicated waterproofing detail, a general coat of membrane isn't enough at these points.

Waterproofing should extend well beyond the shower area itself, covering the whole floor in a wet room and a sensible upstand height elsewhere.

A flood test, where the shower area is filled and left to check for leaks before tiling, is a worthwhile step in higher-risk installations.

Photographs of the completed waterproofing before it's covered by tiles give a useful record if any issue needs investigating later.

Can waterproofing be checked once tiling is done?

Not directly, this is why photographing and, where appropriate, testing it before tiling matters so much.

Is tanking necessary outside the shower area?

In a wet room, yes, across the whole floor; in a standard bathroom, a sensible upstand around the bath and shower area is normal practice.

If you already have a quote or a design and something does not sit right, it is worth another set of eyes before work starts.