The shower is a place of solace for many. A leaky shower wall is in no way going to help in the ambiance of your bath area. Oftentimes, shower walls tend to lose their color and texture to moisture attacks. Waterproofing your shower walls is therefore quite an essential task.
Today I am going to share with you a few methods to prevent your walls from getting all soaky and list some of the best waterproof walls for your new shower.
Shower walls waterproofing is not an uphill task. The methods mentioned here are all easy to do once you learn how to do them. So let’s see them one by one!
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- Sealing solutions
- Liquid waterproofing membrane
- Fiberglass waterproofing membrane
- Polyethylene waterproof membrane
- Foam backer board
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1.) Sealing solutions for quick results
A remedy that is quite new, sealing solutions is the result of new scientific methods being adopted in the field. Using the self-adhesives ensures a long-lasting effect that the walls will stay safe from any sort of destruction due to moisture.
It works based on foam technology. Due to fleece, free impact bonding moisture damage is prevented to a great extent with sealing solutions. An additional sealing material in liquid form is not needed for these adhesives. They can be directly applied to the walls.
This waterproofing method is gaining popularity with time as it is fast and involves direct processing. Once applied it dries within a few hours making it ready for laying tiles. Due to their effectiveness, sealing solutions are preferred by experts in the field.
2.) Liquid waterproofing membranes to help you make your task easy
Grouts between tiles become a bane at times in the shower. Water tends to leak from them due to the poor way of laying tiles. Hence, grouts need to be properly sealed in those particular areas where the leakage happens.
Liquid waterproof membranes are preferred more than others as these are flexible and can be applied anywhere in any way the user wants. Liquid waterproof membranes are available in many brands that have proven their quality through their line of products.
Unlike other waterproofing membranes, these can be easily spread across using a towel, brush, or roller. Some of the best-branded ones are known to stick to even stainless steel and PVC.
3.) Fiberglass waterproofing membrane for a wide coverage
Yes, waterproofing membranes also come in the form of rolls. Fiberglass rolls are quite common and highly demanded in the market. They are thin and lightweight so they can be unrolled with ease and used.
They come with a liquid rubber polymer that is self-curing in nature and fabric which you can install without any difficulty. This technique can be used before laying stones, tiles, bricks, or any other kind of walls that you choose for your shower.
They are suitable for covering edges and corners. Rolls are durable; they last for years. Quality roll membranes come with a guarantee.
4.) Polyethylene waterproof membrane are best for steam rooms
Steam rooms are areas that are completely under the influence of moisture almost all the time. Their walls are therefore often at the risk of losing their texture, color and developing cracks.
Polyethylene waterproof membranes are the best choice for these rooms and their leaky walls. Having excellent water repellent qualities, these barriers can keep the walls completely dry and safe from moisture damage.
5.) Foam Backer board as a lightweight solution to leakage.
These are lightweight boards that are used to rectify the problems of shower walls. Not as effective as the other methods, yet are used rampantly for home needs. Unlike other substances, these are not heavy and can be carried easily from one place to another.
When used, they replace the need for cement boards. Only a water-resistant sealant is required to keep the boards together. Apart from walls, these are also used to protect floors by reflecting water from their substrates.
Liquid and sheet waterproof membranes are applied after removing the existing tiles or ceramics on the walls. If the tiles are too old and you need them changed, you can go for cement boards for the time being. Cement boards work perfectly as a replacement for tiles or ceramics but cannot give the same look like the latter.
Cement boards also don’t have a life as much like the sturdy alternatives. Waterproof membranes are applied under the cement boards just like it is done with tiles or other similar wall structures.
See also: How to Make a Tile Shower Floor Not Slippery?
Now that we have seen the methods to waterproof shower walls, let’s see the best waterproof walls that you can go for while setting a new shower.
1.) Gypsum panels for beautiful walls
Gypsum walls can make excellent waterproof panels for your shower walls. Also called plaster boards, custard boards, sheet rock, or wall boards, these panels are known for their durability. These panels are made of gypsum plaster that is sandwiched between two layers of paper.
To create a strong waterproof panel raw gypsum is first heated well to dry and get rid of water completely. Again the mixture is dehydrated for making a hemihydrate of calcium sulphate and the resultant is then mixed with a foaming agent, plasticizer and in the end, gypsum crystals are added along with EDTA, chelate, or starch.
This wet mixture is then made to press between fibreglasses or papers. With time the mixture will set, making a strong bond between the two sheets. For this, the board is placed inside a drying chamber.
These walls can give your shower a sophisticated look. Built with strong materials these panels can make the walls stay dry and at the same time enhance your bath area with its design and patterns. You can choose the design that you go with the rest of the shower area.
2.) Laminate walls to have a tough panel.
Yes, laminate walls are tough that they cannot be bent to fit in edges or corners. You have to cut it into individual pieces to make them ready to fit for the shower walls.
Each wall is therefore a separate part. Installing them directly to drywall is not recommended. Before the laminate walls are placed, medium-density fibreboard is to be set on the drywalls.
3.) Wall tiles for a long-lasting
Tiles come in different materials such as ceramic, granite, stone, marble and the list goes on. As these are strong and sturdy, they have a water repellent texture making them the solution lasting for years. Once they are set on the walls, they never come off unless hit hard to remove them.
They can stay forever in their place making them one of the best choices available. Moreover, tiles are available at various prices, qualities, sizes, and designs. Imported tiles are high in demand as they are of the best quality and come in exquisite patterns.
Unlike the other methods, tiles can up the whole space lighting up the area. A good interior designer can help you select the best for your bathroom. In addition to the walls, tiles are also perfect to cover the floors.
4.) Stone walls for a classy look
Imagine beautiful stones on your shower walls. Yes, stone walls or claddings can keep the shower walls waterproof and help to maintain the shower area clean. Just like wall tiles, with stones, you can go for different designs and types.
However, their textures tend to be coarser than tiles. Adding a classy feel to the entire section, these walls are best for preventing your walls from getting wet.
5.) Light-reflecting glass walls
Yet another classic way of ensuring your walls stay dry. Glass walls are quite common when it comes to bathroom interiors. They are majorly used in hotels as they are a symbol of richness and luxury. Also used at homes, these walls will often stay spotless.
The only requirement is to keep the walls dry by sweeping the surface from time to time. You can go for frosted glass if you have to ensure extreme privacy. Usually, shower cubicles are made of plain glass.
6.) Plastic sheets to save money
As simple as they seem, plastic sheets are another way of having waterproof walls. Plastic is known for its water repellent qualities and therefore if used as walls in your shower can make excellent waterproof walls. This is the cheapest option and is easy to carry.
Setting up plastic walls is a piece of cake and can be done within minutes. However, these sheets do not stay sturdy unlike the other types making them a little annoying for some. When dirty, these sheets can be taken off and washed.
7.) Acrylic wall for excellent results
It is an effective and practical way for installing waterproof walls. Variations in sizes, types, and colors are there on these walls. Despite continuous moisture and wet atmosphere, acrylic walls never lose their texture or color.
They are strong and sturdy enough to last for a long time. With acrylic walls, installation is very easy and you can do it without any help from outside.
Final word
All these are methods and choices that have been proven with time. Choose the best you feel is right for you. If you find your shower walls beyond self-repair, do not hesitate to go for professional help. They can be the quickest and easiest way to go in such extreme situations.
We stop here for today. But I will come back with more.
So keep an eye for new posts!