How Do Wet Rooms Work?

Bathrooms are necessary in every household, but for those with mobility concerns, they can be extremely tricky to navigate. That is why wet rooms are increasing in popularity among disabled people, as they provide easy access to the shower, allowing them to maintain their independence when washing.

So, if you’re considering installing a wet room in your home, it is important to find out how they work first.

 

• Wet room design

What is a wet room? Well, unlike a traditional bathroom with a tub or shower situated in an enclosure, a wet room is entirely open, meaning the shower head is attached to the wall and the flooring is the same throughout.

Water, therefore, sprays directly on to the floor, which can lead people to, rightly, question how the drainage works to prevent flooding in the bathroom.

 

• How does it drain?

It works as the floor underneath the shower, while looking exactly the same as the rest of the room, actually tilts ever-so-slightly towards a drain, Express Clear explains. The slope should have a gradient of between 1.5 per cent and two per cent, as this helps avoid the problem of pooling and, consequently, mould forming on the floor.

The shower head should be pointed towards the drain, and the drainage needs to have the capacity for the amount of water produced.

 

• Waterproofing

As wet rooms can be entirely open, they tend to get, as the name suggests, very wet.

Therefore, it is necessary to have excellent waterproofing throughout, with floor and wall tiles carefully sealed to avoid leakage on to the flooring underneath or the walls. Otherwise, this could cause damage to the rest of the house.

Click here to read more about functionality of wet rooms and best wet room flooring options for the elderly!