How-To Guides

How to Make a Wet Room

What we’ll cover…

Planning your wet room: Key considerations to make surrounding design and layout.
Waterproofing essentials: Techniques and materials to complete effective waterproofing.
Selecting the right flooring: Different slip-resistant and moisture-friendly flooring options.
Choosing fixtures: Recommendations for fixtures to maximise space and enhance functionality.
Ventilation solutions: The importance of proper ventilation for humidity issue prevention.

Top tips to create a wet room

Let’s take you through what you need to know in order to make a wet room, including how to prepare the space and how to tank and tile your wetroom so that it remains waterproof. If you are experienced at DIY then you may feel confident enough to take this task on, but if not then we highly recommend to call in a professional.

Preparation

A wet room will only ever be as waterproof as the surface that’s used to line it. The surface, whether that may be tiles, tile backer boards, liquid rubber membranes, or some other type of waterproof covering, will not remain waterproof if the surface it’s stuck to is not completely sound.

The first step to creating a wet room is to ensure the floor is not loose and the walls are not prone to excessive movement, and do not have a flaky surface. All surfaces need to be free from dirt and grime.
When constructing a wet room, the tiles are more for form than function as there’s too much water to depend on just the tile grout for a totally waterproof area for very long.
Gravity makes all the water head downwards, and if the wet room floor is not properly prepared and treated it will inevitably lead to problems.
Decide if your wet room will be completely open plan, or if you would prefer to fit a wet room glass screen.
Make sure to follow our step-by-step guide on how to make a wet room waterproof.

Making a wetroom on a concrete floor

The hardest thing about creating a wet room floor on a concrete base is fitting the drain pipe that takes the waste water away. This is usually achieved by using a concrete breaker to dig a channel through the floor, with a large hole at the point where the waste outlet will be positioned.
The floor grid or outlet plate sits on top of the tanking and directs the water into the trap. If any water seeps under the grid it will go directly into the trap.
The drains should be laid in accordance with Building Regulations and if there’s any alterations to existing drain runs or access chambers and manholes, they need to be reported to the Building Control Department of your local council.
The channel that houses the drain is concreted over and a fall is formed into the floor by using a self-levelling floor compound that’s thickened slightly with sharp sand.
You don’t need to create a steep slope – water will find its way to the lowest level. A 10mm fall over 2m is sufficient.
The floor plate is positioned so the pipe goes down into the trap.
The tanking is applied over the plate as are the tiles, and a grid is then fitted into the top of the floor plate.

Making a wetroom on a timber floor

To create a wet room on a timber floor you’ll need to take up the existing floorboards.
The lowest part of the floor needs to be chosen and then the joists surrounding the low point will need to be raised up a little by using strips of timber known as firring pieces.
Ensure the joists are completely solid (if needed, strengthening timbers can be placed in-between the joists). The plywood (a 25mm thickness is recommended) must be screwed down to the joists and strengthening timbers at a minimum of 300mm centres.
The screw heads should be countersunk under the surface of the plywood, so the tanking, that’s glued to the plywood, cannot be pierced.
The drain pipe needs to run between the joists.
The pipework can then be put through the wall to run into an existing soil and vent pipe.
Once tanked, you can then tile over the tanking to complete the wetroom.
Use a flexible adhesive and waterproof grout to complete the tiling paying attention to the joints.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a wet room need to be fully tiled?

A wet room will require the flooring and walls to be waterproofed and fully tiled – a job for a professional builder or plumber to complete.

Many will consider underfloor heating fittings for wet rooms as well, helping the space to dry out quicker and negating the need for bulkier radiators or heated towel rails. This, of course, would need to be installed prior to the floor tiling.

To gain a better insight into all sorts of wet room design nuances, take a look at our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

How long does a wet room last?

A proper, professionally installed wet room should last up to 50 years before the likes of lighting and electronics need to be updated. Of course, certain components such as modern shower systems can be upgraded more regularly.

For a better insight into wet room design nuances and more, explore our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

Can any bathroom be turned into a wet room?

Practically any bathroom can be turned into a wet room no matter where it is situated in the home, on account of the flexibility a wet room system provides.

No restrictions exist regarding the size of the showering area, so even very compact bathroom spaces can be transformed into small wet rooms. However, it is recommended that a surface area no smaller than 1.5m x 1m is used as a basis for a wet room installation.

For further inspiration, take a look at our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

What is the best type of flooring for wet rooms?

The best type of floor tiles for wet rooms consist of mosaic, natural stone or porcelain materials.

Due to their profile, it is recommended to avoid the use of ceramic tiles for wet room flooring, although they do make for an ideal addition to wet room walls.

For a more detailed insight into all sorts of wet room design facets, explore our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

Can you fit underfloor heating in a wet room?

Yes, it is possible to fit underfloor heating within a wet room. It is an especially prudent idea to introduce underfloor heating to small wet rooms, as it will negate the need for the likes of heated towel rails or bulky radiators.

Underfloor heating is ideal for keeping the space at a comfortable temperature all throughout the year, but will also help the floor in a wet room to dry out at a quicker rate as well.

For further information surrounding this, and all sorts of other wet room inspiration, take a look at our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

How much would a small wet room cost?

Much depends on the size of the actual space with regards to the cost of installing a small wet room, though an average outlay between £4000 and £7000 is to be expected.

Professional assistance will be required to waterproof the area and level out the surface, and the larger the space, the longer the job will typically take, resulting in a greater cost.

To gain a better insight into the design nuances of smaller wet rooms, explore our dedicated blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

Do you need planning permission for a wet room?

Planning permission is not required for the installation of a wet room within a home when transforming an existing bathroom area.

However, in the case of new build properties, the design of a wet room will involve applying for building regulations approval.

If you would like a more detailed insight into the implementation of wet room design ideas in general, explore our blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

Is there a minimum size for a wet room?

There is no official minimum size for a wet room, but guidelines would suggest that a surface area of 1.5m x 1m is the smallest that could comfortably accommodate a toilet and basin.

It should also be noted that a wet room of such dimensions would need to be entirely waterproofed, for the protection of all fixtures and fittings surrounding the shower space.

For a more detailed insight into compact wet rooms, take a look at our dedicated blog, How To Introduce Small Wet Room Ideas To Your Home.

John Klee

John has a background in sports journalism, and lists content writing amongst his primary passions. He provides expert bathroom trends commentary and analysis, as well as offering meticulously researched answers to the most frequently asked bathroom posers.

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