Thread: bathroom,damp,alternatives

Originally Posted by ana58

Hi everyone,
I want to rip out my old bath shower and basin and just replace with shower and basin my H&S concern is I live in a damp area and mold keeps appearing . I am going to put up damp proof plaster sheets but I dont want tiles anymore and I dont want to just paint I was hoping someone could give me some ideas on alternatives to keep it looking good and I will put in a stronger fan I think . Leaving the window open in winter it is just too damn cold ps I want to have wooden cupboards under the basin and wooden floor boards as well thanks. Ana58

Do not use aquacheck plasterboard (damp proof) in the shower area, especially if it is untiled and not waterproofed. In the shower area, mould will be present due to an improperly constructed or maintained recess that allows moisture to get under tiles ie, a leak in a service or waste pipe, degraded silicone and grout, damaged or absent water proofing. The shower recess should be constructed of fibre cement sheet, correctly waterproofed and tiled or you can use one of the range of sheet products for wet areas that look like tiles eg this one. (which can be fixed direct to studs, although you will need to pack out the studs with f c sheet so it matches the thickness of the plasterboard in the rest of the room). I don't know how you would maintain the plasterboard without painting, I think it is only going to encourage even more mould. I would use a good semi gloss or gloss acrylic with an added mould inhibitor. Good ventilation will help. Wooden cupboards and floorboards will be no problem.

Cheers
Michael

Hello,
You could look in to a shower system ( Englefield, Marbletrend etc) that uses a poly carbonate sheet ( 2 sided 1 piece) glued to the wall board, a shower base & screen. Components are sold seperately or as a unit. These are simple to fit and reliable, I have fitted a lot of them without a problem, used them in my own house.
Lamipanel and the like would be another option. Even mini orb.
Kill existing mould in the wall cavity with bleach or inhibitor and check timber for soundness.
Positive ventalation is necessary, ducted to outside the best or you are pumping moisture into the ceiling cavity. (Most bathroom extraction fans do.)
Plaster board in wet areas is a poor choice as Michael pointed out.
Regards, Bill

I hate tiles so I used Lamipanel sheets, it is a thicker version of laminex.
I think it is a CSR product.
very easy to keep clean.
We cut it with an angle grinder.

Yo can get enclosed showers that have a cover over the top and steam extraction built in like this

Steam Showers | Stalls | Shower Enclosures | Tubs | Tekon |Bathroom Improvement

might be a way of minimising moisture access to the bathroom generally

Andrew