shower cubicle

craig1 · Post by **craig1** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:07 pm

Hi, could do with some advice on whats best to use on my shower cubicle walls prior to tiling.was thinking of using a Tanking shower kit (Dunlop) directly onto plasterbooard x 2 walls and a solid wall skimmedl.Don't want to use aqua board as it needs to be screwed to batens. Any ideas would be great..

royaloakcarpentry · Post by **royaloakcarpentry** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:17 pm

You also need a 38mm clearance behind the aqua board. I also wouldn't screw aquaboard to batten......they will get wet and rot if there is a paroblem.

You can use normal plasterboard and tank over it. We use a tanking system by Impey so haven't a clue about Dunlop. All do pretty much the same.

Make sure you apply silicone to internal corners and around the tray.

I have said before in this part of the forum that with all the shower areas we have to insurance work on, it isn't the materials that cause problems but poor workmanship and maintenance since installation.

craig1 · Post by **craig1** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:24 pm

thanks for reply, will I need to add plasterboard to the solid skimmed wall and do you have to skim plasterboard or just tank and tile over..

royaloakcarpentry · Post by **royaloakcarpentry** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:35 pm

You can tank straight over the plasterboard. No need to board over the skimmed wall.

The most important part of a shower cubicle is the workmanship. I have lost count of the amount of cubicles we have had to rip apart because of a broken tray, normal plasterboard has been used with absolutely no tanking. However because of the workmanship the board was completely dry and in as good a condition as day it was fitted. These are in flats that are 20 years old!!

In the same flats where silicone seals have not been maintained and workmanship was poor........boards get knackered.

craig1 · Post by **craig1** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:41 pm

thanks again. will tank all walls before tiling. Don't mind paying that bit extra as long as it lasts.

DIY_Johnny · Post by **DIY_Johnny** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:19 am

royaloakcarpentry wrote:
In the same flats where silicone seals have not been maintained and workmanship was poor........boards get knackered.

Its a good point actually, maintainence of the silicone joint can save you a huge job later on.

royaloakcarpentry · Post by **royaloakcarpentry** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:23 pm

Hi DIYJohnny, it is even simple things that get neglected. Cover plate for shower mixer gets pushed into place and that is it. Only it isn't, where does the water go that runs down the wall go?.......behind the plate, into cut out for mixer and then damages wall and over time gives problems. people have a habit of putting silicone along inside and outside edges of shower doors, that again causes problems.

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:57 pm

if your using the dunlop paint on system i would advise you use a plasters trowel to apply it so you can get full coverage.or else you can get the homelux or dura wall membrane these are easier to apply and less messy...its just like hanging wall paper..