Alright, so what I want to talk about here is waterproofing a shower, because this is one of those things that gets misunderstood all the time.
Tile and grout are NOT waterproofing.
A lot of people think tile is what makes a shower waterproof. It’s not. Tile and grout are decorative. Water goes right through grout, and if you don’t have proper waterproofing behind it, that water is going somewhere you don’t want it to go.
What we’re building here is basically a waterproof box before any tile ever gets installed.
So the first thing I’m showing is the shower structure itself—the walls, the pan, the corners. This all has to be solid and properly prepped before you even think about tile. If the base isn’t right, nothing you put on top of it matters.
From there, we get into the waterproofing system. This isn’t just rolling something on and calling it good. You’ve got panels, membranes, seams, and transitions, and every one of those details matters. Water will find the weakest point every single time, so you can’t skip steps here.
Corners are a big deal. Seams are a big deal. Anywhere two surfaces meet is a potential failure point, so we reinforce all of that. Same thing around the drain — that area has to be sealed correctly, because everything in the shower is directing water there. If that connection isn’t right, you’re asking for problems.
The order of things does matter.
Another thing I want to be really clear about: you always waterproof before you tile. If you’re tiling first and trying to waterproof later, you’re doing it backwards. Tile does not stop water. Waterproofing does.
This is why you’ll see showers fail even when the tile looks great. Everything can look perfect on the surface while water is getting behind it, soaking framing, growing mold, or rotting things out. By the time you see the damage, it’s already been happening for a while.
What I’m showing here is the right order:
structure ? waterproofing ? tile.
It’s not the flashy part of the job. Nobody walks into a bathroom and says, “Wow, nice membrane.” But this is the part that determines whether the shower lasts five years or twenty.
The whole point of this video is to show that waterproofing isn’t optional, and it’s not a shortcut step. It’s the system that everything else depends on. If you get this part right, tiling is easy. If you get it wrong, nothing else can save it.
That’s really the takeaway. Build a waterproof shower first. Then make it look good.
Do it right so you don’t have to do it over!
Did you know that tile is one of the things that will add more value to your home?
If you are considering re-doing a shower that is beginning to show signs of water damage, we’re here to help!
Our pre-made shower solutions.
We have put together three shower-kits that include EVERYTHING you’ll need to complete a shower re-do from start to finish.YES, even waterproofing materials!
Whether you’re a passionate Do-It-Yourself’er or you want a pro to do it with you, we may just have the right solution for you, starting at a very reasonable price point.
Click below to check out our pre-made shower solutions. If you’re in the Sarasota, Lee and Charlotte Counties in SWFL, you’re within our delivery area. You can purchase your materials right on our website and we’ll handle delivery for you.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 941-681-2641. Or swing by our showroom!
3542 N Access Rd
Englewood, FL 34224