Microcement is the perfect for a wetroom or shower environment and a great alternative to tiles.
The preparation for a shower is slightly more involved than just a standard wall and we always recommend using cement board or a tile backer boards for the walls and potentially floors if this is being done as well.
The team over at NoMorePly have some great resources when it comes to installation. Not the adhesive which goes between all the joints to ensure a watertight seal to prevent any moisture ingress to the frame behind.
Once the cement boards are installed and the adhesive is cured any adhesive stranding proud of the boards should be cut level with the cement boards so you have a smooth flat surface. Be mindful to ensure that the boards are level. Any mismatches where one board stands proud from another could cause issue further down the line.
Now with the boarding complete there is one final step required prior to the application of the microcement and that is to apply a tanking liquid.
The team over at Dukkaboard have a really great solution!
The boards are first primed and once this is complete the tanking liquid can be applied. The benefit if this system is that the liquid can bridge gaps of up to 3mm and as such is REALLY strong.
The system also involves a fleece tape to go over any joints between boards or wall/floor/ceiling junctions. The fleece from Dukkaboard is very thin being a mere 0.2mm in thickness so unlike other tanking systems on the market which have thicker tapes there is very little potential for it to shadow through once the Microcement is installed.
Here are the full instructions for the tanking system application - https://www.tilingsuppliesdirect.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DB-Aqua-77-Tanking-Kit-Leaflet.pdf
Once the tanking system has been applied as per the instructions, the microcement can then be applied and sealed as you would any other surface so you can create the bathroom of your dreams.
If you’re unsure about any wet areas and that could be worktops, bathroom vanity units and the like then a liquid tanking membrane should be considered. It just ensures that any substrate will behave as it should and not expand or move ultimately resulting in hairline cracks or worse with repeated wetting!
If you have a project coming up and would like to discuss it or get advice on materials the please email us or use the contact form on our website and we'll be more than happy to help.