Bathroom to wetroom remodel but with a leak All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[MJohnson]

Hi, I've just had a full bathroom remodelled into a wetroom/shower room and I'm looking for some advice on the results. Only a few days after the plumber left I had the downstairs neighbour complain about water leaking through the floor. After phoning the bathroom company up they came, added a bit of silicone, and called it fixed. The water leaking downstairs has stopped but it has left me doubting the waterproofing quality of the whole job.

I've attached a picture of before the floor tiles went down to show what was done. I believe the white tray in the shower area is a waterproof panel but it doesn't look like there is any sealing of the edges as I would have expected.

So I have a few questions:
1. Am I just being overly cautious here?
2. How does BS 5385-1 apply to this job? It appears that there hasn't been any waterproof tanking been done, is that now required or only recommended?
3. What are my options with the job? I've said I am withholding the final payment for the work until I understand why it was leaking but do I have any right to get them to waterproof it properly if its a problem?

Can anyone help me please?

[stoneyboy]

Hi mjohnson
You are in an unenviable position, there are 3 options when fitting a wet room type shower: Tile wall and floor and hope the surface sealing of the tiles will suffice; use a liquid tanking kit which is a thick goo which is painted on the walls and floor before tiling; fit a tanking membrane which effectively forms a paddling pool under the tiles.
The last option is expensive to buy and fit but it is the only effective one on timber floors.
A lot will depend on what you asked to be done and how much you paid - were you given any job quality options? It is difficult to advise what you should do.
Regards S

[MJohnson]

Thank you for the input.

So from your comment am I right in thinking that using a tanking kit isn't required at all?

When I asked for a wetroom I had the expectation it would be tanked rather than just relying on the surface sealing but I was never given any options for the quality of the solution. It wasn't a cheap quote either, roughly 16k (in Edinburgh) so I'm not happy with it.

There are other problems with the job that make me question the overall quality of the work (including windows no longer shutting) so the leak was just the icing on the cake.

Not sure if I have any recourse or if I need to consider redoing the floor.

[stoneyboy]

Hi mjohnson
As far as I am aware there are no legal requirements to carry out tanking. I don't think there are any guidance videos on this web site.
Good installation practice should always include one especially with a timber floor. The manufacturer/supplier of the shower base probably specified that a tanking kit be used - if you can establish the source of the tray you could always seek their advice.
Regards S