With more than 5% of homes in the UK having at least one wet room and demand for them continuing to grow, it seems that people are impressed by the variations and benefits that they offer. While more and more people are choosing to forgot the traditional bathroom for wet room installations, it is important to feel confident in your understanding of what to do in the event of a problem or flood. This can range from having a design that takes flood prevention into consideration to dealing with drainage issues and further damage.
Ideally, any potential issues relating to your wet room will be considered and dealt with during the construction phase. However, sometimes even despite the best planning, problems can arise and it is important to still feel in control by knowing how to handle it and what action to take. In the case that you see flood waters rising in your wet room, accept that no restoration work can take place until the water has subsided, identify what the issue is and enquire with your plumber or insurer to give you instructions about the best way to proceed.
Identifying the problem
The importance of a properly fitted wet room is paramount to prevent continuous problems and hefty bills. For a start, when installing a wet room, a gradient needs to be created along the floor in order to channel the shower water into a drain. This is most commonly done by installing a sub-floor and then tiling it over. After that, the entire room needs to be waterproofed, otherwise referred to as being tanked. If this is not done correctly, it can lead to leakage and potential flooding into other rooms. To prevent flooding escaping your wet room, consider raising the bathroom door threshold by about a quarter of an inch from the floor.
Poor drainage could be a problem causing the flooding too. In the event of a flood, it is worth checking if there is any blockage on top or inside the drain, preventing the water from draining away.
Who can help
Depending on what the issue is and the amount of damage it has caused will impact who you need to contact. An issue with a blocked drain may require a plumber to give a helping hand. If your wet room was perhaps not expertly fitted or tanked, a plumber or perhaps a tiler may be your first port of call. If serious damage has occured due to flooding, you may need to contact your insurance company. However, there are likely to be excesses for flooding claims as usually, homeowners and renters insurance does not cover damage from flooding
A flooded wet room is a frustration. However, with some forethought and professional input during the installation process, a lot of issues can be prevented. Inevitable wear and tear problems, such as blocked drains can be sorted through regular maintenance such as cleaning out any trapped hair whenever it is used. The benefits of accessibility and convenient design will prove to far out way the challenges.
