How to Waterproof a Shower — Tanking Explained
Tanking is the process of applying a waterproof membrane to shower walls and floors before tiling. Done correctly, it prevents water ingress and protects the structure of your home.
Waterproofing — or tanking — is one of the most important steps in any shower installation. Without it, water can penetrate behind tiles and cause serious structural damage over time, including rot, damp and mould.
Tanking involves applying a waterproof membrane to the walls and floor of the shower area before tiles are fixed. The most common systems use a liquid-applied membrane painted onto the substrate, or a sheet membrane bonded to the surface.
The critical areas to tank are the floor, the lower sections of all walls within the shower zone, and any joints between the floor and walls. These joints are where water ingress most commonly occurs.
In a wet room, the entire floor and all walls must be fully tanked, as there is no enclosure to contain water. This is a more involved process and requires careful attention to falls (the slope towards the drain).
IK Master Build Ltd use professional-grade tanking systems on every shower and wet room installation. Call 07402 059 555 to discuss your bathroom project.