If some people prefer the bathtub, the shower is however more functional and saves water. On a daily basis, it allows you to start the day quickly. The trend today is for the walk-in shower:its sober and clean lines make it a sign of style and modernity. If it has its advantages, it also has some disadvantages.
The walk-in shower is inspired by the Roman fashions of yesteryear. It is characterized mainly by the absence of walking. It's a walk-in shower. It also uses tiles instead of the traditional tray. This can give a homogeneous shower, on the floor as well as on the wall. A builder or a good handyman can easily install a walk-in shower, provided they have the minimum knowledge required. This type of shower tends to become more and more common in new homes. Some do not hesitate to swap their bathtub for this new kind of shower space.
The first advantage is practical. The absence of steps offers better accessibility, especially for people with reduced mobility. A wheelchair can easily access it. But even for a healthy person, this kind of shower is just as pleasant. It can also accommodate a chair for the elderly. Taking a shower together is also one of its great advantages. Indeed, you will not be bound by the dimensions of a conventional shower. You decide the size, according to the space available to you and your desires. Feeling of grandeur and freedom, this is what characterizes the installation of a walk-in shower.
Last but not least, aesthetics. A walk-in shower is inspiring. Behind its glass, it is very design, especially with marble. The effect is guaranteed. A house with a walk-in shower always outsells one with a traditional bathroom, it's proven.
Besides its advantages, it has some disadvantages. The first is related to sealing. The use of tiling instead of the tray is not without risk. Water may seep under your house if you are not careful with the seam. Over time, it may weaken. It will be necessary to use water-repellent seals so that your shower can withstand intensive use over the medium term, i.e. ten years.
This is also the verification cycle of your installation. Do not risk flooding and the collapse of your house. Another problem is water drainage. With a very slight slope, you will have a hard time sending the water quickly into the trap. It is usually not recommended to install a hydro massage column in your walk-in shower, which is always difficult to evacuate. The walk-in shower is and remains minimalist. Drainage maintenance is more difficult with a walk-in shower. At worst, you will have to break all the tiles on the floor to reach the drain, which risks generating work and therefore additional costs.
Installing a walk-in shower in your bathroom requires thought and some work. You can hire a professional. But you can also plan to install it yourself, you have to take a few precautions to ensure that your shower is as stylish as it is durable. You will first need to make sure you can create a shower that your bathroom will accommodate. Make sure you can make the connections, whether evacuation or adduction. It may be necessary to break down some walls to install the taps and mixers. For more convenience, make sure to create the drain where your old shower was installed.
Some only use mortar to create a screed and create the bottom, but waterproofing is far from guaranteed. The best thing is to get an Italian shower tray which will then be covered with the materials you have chosen, marble or tiles. These receivers are delivered with a siphon which will already be adapted. It will suffice to read the instructions provided to make the connection. For added safety, only use rustic materials on the floor to avoid dangerous slips.
It is likely that you will need to raise the floor to be able to properly integrate the receiver and the siphon. The installation of the tray, or the screed, just like the finished top tiling, requires a slope of at least 1% for the flow of water. Don't forget to use sealants to keep everything airtight. Also use a resilient band around the catcher to hold it all together. Provide mortar to cover the receiver or the screed and glue for the tiles. Adhesive cement will improve the seal.
There you go, now you know everything about the walk-in shower. If it will give character to your bathroom, think about all the work that awaits you before you start installing it. Remember that you need a minimum of knowledge of masonry to undertake this type of work.
