Raindance :: The Name Behind Wetrooms : How Wetrooms Work

A common mis-conception in bathroom construction is that tiles / tile adhesive / silicon and grouts achieve a watertight solution.

They DO NOT as shown here. In fact, since most flooring systems involve joints somewhere in the process of being laid, nearly all will be susceptible to deterioration and ultimately LEAKING over time.

This TYPICAL picture was taken during removal of an existing bath with overbath shower unit – the client was unaware of the extensive structural damage lurking below!

The Raindance Tanking System uses long established Scandinavian techniques in the construction of wetrooms. We can apply the products to any building substrate including wood, render, brickwork, concrete, plaster and plasterboard. No two wetrooms are the same – in fact with a Raindance Tanking System there are few limitations to designing the room to meet your EXACT requirements.

Initially surfaces are primed to seal their surface (the number of coats and levels of dilution will depend upon exact surface structure).

The second step in the process, and one of the most important, is to apply a special self adhesive, elastic tape into all vulnerable points such as where floor meets wall, internal and external corners and all pipework penetrations. Particular care is taken around shower valves which must be of a suitable design for wetrooms.

We recommend and can supply a range of concealed installation valves to suit – these can be totally sealed within the Raindance Tanking System overall tanking process.

A similar material (based on synthetic rubber) is applied around a suitable drain outlet. This material will adhere to either plastic or metal surfaces and to the surrounding floor substrate (already primed).

primed surface

tape sealing process

We recommend and can supply an outlet drain from an extensive range of high quality stainless steels styles – these can be sited in the middle of the showering area (square grate style), against a wall (linear style) or even a corner style! Within the on-site building constraints, the position of the drain is not limited to a specific position.

We then apply one of three types of waterproof tanking membrane (depending on site conditions), manually in two coats to a final thickness of 2mm OR spray application in larger areas.

The Raindance Tanking System uses a liquid applied membrane and can therefore be applied onto any shaped surface including sunken baths! It does not rely on pre-formed drainage trays or rigid cut-to-size membrane material – as a result the all important corner joints are 100% sealed!

One of the most effective ways of generating the drainage slope (2:100 gradient) is at the point of laying the floor tiles.

With wooden flooring an amount of re-inforcement using exterior grade plywood or floor gypsum boards would already have taken place (as required under BS 5385 Part 3 clause 14.4 for fixing tiles onto a wooden floor surface).

Alternative methods of creating such slopes exist and we can offer advice to the building contractors as necessary. In our full installation service, we would always recommend using large format (ideally 400mm x 400mm minimum) floor tiles to a minimum non-slip standard of DIN 51130 - R11.

With a Raindance Tanking System, electric under-floor heating is an excellent consideration and can be installed across the entire floor area.

Not only will it create a warm environment, but will actually assist in drying the wet areas after showering. We can recommend and supply systems to suit.

With orders placed with us for the application of tanking , advice can be given on a number of areas ranging from:

	Ceramic tile adhesives to use (essential to use the correct types on wooden flooring and when installing under-floor heating systems)
	grout types and silicon sealants to use ( note that we use silicon sealants to complete the clean lines of an installation – they do NOT form any part of the tanking process)
	Supply to site of suitable stainless steel drain outlet – we even can offer bespoke solutions for non-standard requirements,
	Advice and check list of points regarding site conditions ahead of the tanking process
	Advice to plumbers and tilers on the standards required to achieve a successful wetroom design
	Supply and fit of custom size glass shower screens (if the wetroom design requires – not always necessary!)
	custom size bathroom mirrors and de-misting pads to suit,
	bespoke sanitaryware (in particular basins) to specific designs
	Extensive knowledge on lighting requirements including led lighting
	furniture accessories and any special requirements.

The waterproof membrane of a Raindance Tanking System is guaranteed for ten years although the reality is that the product will remain flexible and water impervious for the life of the installation. The most important care to take in maintaining a wetroom is that the membrane is not penetrated at any time in the future. For example, drilling through tiles in the designated wet areas or, more critically, the floor area. Should this happen – CALL US.