New Ideas for Waterproofing a Shower

• New products help seal cracks and other problems that can plaque a shower. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Installing a pre-constructed, single-piece fiberglass shower enclosure makes waterproofing your new bathroom easier. However, these enclosures are limited in their size and style options. Building and waterproofing your own shower enclosure takes more work, but allows for more creative designs. New methods for waterproofing your shower will keep water from damaging the walls and floors around your home.

Use Cement Board

• Tile, fiberglass and natural stone shower materials all require some kind of backing board for a secure attachment. Gypsum board can be used, but cement board is recommend by the Ask the Builder website because it won't breakdown or crack, no matter how long it stays wet. Cement board absorbs small amounts of water that naturally escape from the shower enclosure and prevents it from soaking into the structural supports. Moisture reaching the wood framing around the shower can lead to rot and structural problems. The cracks and softening of gypsum board over time allow more moisture to reach the wood behind it.

Install A Membrane

• Shower membranes are thin liners installed underneath pre-made shower pans or in the concrete of a custom-built shower pan, according to Ask the Builder. A variety of waterproof materials can be used to create a moisture blocking membrane. Plastic sheeting and asphalt-impregnated felt often are already on the job site and will work as long as glue is used as a fastener to avoid creating leak holes. Silicon should be applied over any seams in the materials to seal them. Specially designed thin plastic membranes also can be purchased. Installing the membrane so it is sandwiched behind the concrete or gypsum board that meets the top of the shower pan is the best way to ensure no water can leak behind this material.

Seal Cracks

• Sealing cracks or gaps in an existing shower enclosure will stop moisture from feeding mold growth between the shower pan and the walls. While grout was once the only option for sealing these cracks, new plastic sealants have been developed that will work just as well, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Extension website. Grout is the best option for cracks in tile or concrete shower pans, while plastic sealant is more flexible and will move with a lighter acrylic shower pan as pressure is applied to it. Silicon caulk also will work in both situations, but may not last as long when constantly exposed to water.

Add a Flexible Grout

• New grout products combine the flexibility of plastic sealants with the more traditional look and strength of grout. Primarily designed for use in manufactured homes that shift regularly, gaps or cracks filled with these flexible products are less likely to pull apart than those filled with traditional grout.