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WetBase Wet Room Shower Tray FAQ's

The following frequently asked questions are the most common queries we are asked in relation to the extremely popular Wetrooms Online WetBase® wet room floor base tray and kit.
If after reading these FAQ’s your question/query has not been answered in full please call our wet room experts on 0800 280 8008 for further help.

What is the difference between a centre drain and offset drain?

A WetBase® with a centre drain has the drain aperture located midway between both the long and short edges.
With an offset drain the drain aperture is located in the centre of the width or short edge of the base but is 450mm from one end of the base. The choice between an offset or centre drain is often determined by the need to avoid joists and/or to have the drain immediately below a shower head.
Please see the WetBase®plan diagrams in the product descriptions for the exact location of the drain in each WetBase®size.

What is the difference between a linear drain (WetBase® Linear) and a standard drain (WetBase® Standard)?

Unlike a WetBase® Standard that has a square shaped drain the WetBase® Linear has an oblong (linear) drain that runs along most of the edge of the WetBase®.  The drain cover can be reversed on the WetBase® Linear to allow the cover to be tiled to match the rest of the floor. A linear Wetbase® may be best where joists present an obstacle to drainage because the water can be drained from any one of three locations along the length of the drain. It may also be chosen for its appearance and fit with the style of the rest of the room.

Does the WetBase® need to cover the whole floor?

No, the WetBase®only needs to cover the showering area. There is no need to place a WetBase®other than where the shower is to be positioned.

Can the WetBase® be used for showering in a wheelchair or other point loading device?

No the WetBase® is not designed for point loading and cannot therefore be used for showering in conjunction with a wheelchair. There are products which are designed for showering in a wheelchair or similar and our call centre staff will be happy to advise.

Can the WetBase® be trimmed to size?

Yes, a maximum of 50mm may be trimmed off each edge using a hand saw. Equal amounts must be removed from opposite edges. For example if you need to trim the WetBase® by a total of 50mm in length, then 25mm should be taken off of both the lengths and not 50mm off one length alone.

I have a concrete floor; can I still use the WetBase®?

Yes, however you will need to either mount the WetBase® on a raised platform (step-in) or create a channel in the concrete floor so that the drain and drain pipe can be accommodated.

Can the WetBase® be finished with vinyl flooring?

No the WetBase® is only designed for a tiled flooring finish.
For a vinyl floor finish we we recommend the Impey AquaDec Easy Fit.

Do I need to support the underneath of the WetBase®?

Yes the WetBase® needs to be supported underneath (under-boarding) prior to installation. This is to ensure it does not flex and induce cracking of the tile grout.

How do I connect the wetbase® drain to the existing waste water pipe/system?

A standard 43mm (1 ½ inch) solvent weld waste pipe (available from DIY stores or plumbers merchants) is pushed firmly into the drain outlet of the drain supplied with the kit, this is secured with an appropriate solvent weld glue (available from DIY stores or plumbers merchants) and connected to the nearest soil pipe using standard jointing products. After allowing the weld sufficient time to set it is advised to test the connection by pouring a cup or two of water down the drain and checking for leaks BEFORE continuing with the fitting of the WetBase®.

What do you recommend for under-boarding?

We recommend that the WetBase® is under-boarded using 18m marine ply panels placed between the joists or on a platform.
Please see the WetBase® installation instructions for full details etc.

How should I fix / secure the WetBase® tray to the under boarding platform?

The WetBase® should be fixed to the under boarding platform securely  using a good quality flexible tile adhesive, bought in powder form. The reason is buildings potentially move, albeit only marginally,  as the ground below them shifts according to the time of year and without that flexibility the tiles above the WetBase® potentially will move too leading to cracks in the grout or even the tiles themselves.

Under no circumstances should any of the following fixings be used.

Solvent based adhesives—they will damage the composition of the WetBase® Screws—they will damage the WetBase® and its the waterproof properties

Ready mixed adhesive—only adhesive mixed from powder should be used. Ready mixed adhesive contains too much water, and additives that extend its shelf life, that can delay or even prevent adequate drying out and therefore adhesion.  

Suitable brands of powder adhesive include Weber (Floor Flex or Weberset SPF), Mapei (ProFlex or Keraflex), Granfix, and Larson Proflex.

Do I need to waterproof / tank the wet room / wet area?

Yes, the whole of the showering area and at least a further 300mm (splash zone) around the showering area needs to be fully tanked prior to tilling. We also recommend that the walls of the showering area are waterproofed prior to tiling.

Do I need to waterproof the whole of the room?

No, you only need to waterproof the showering area and a further 300mm (splash zone) around the showering area. However if water is likely to ingress further into the room, then waterproofing a larger area is recommended to be on the safe side.

Why do I need to board the rest of the floor before tiling?

Floor tiles need a solid inflexible base in order to prevent the tiles from moving over time and so causing cracks in tiles and/or grout lines. 10mm thermal tile backer board is ideal for this purpose since it also provides excellent insulation, particularly valuable if undertile heating is also to be fitted. The WetBase is 20mm thick ,approximately the same as conventional floorboards, and so in order to achieve an even level floor area throughout, the area beneath the wetbase needs to be raised by 10mm using a section of 10mm tile backer board placed across the top of the joists and its supporting platform.

By over-boarding the floor boards with insulated tile backer board, (and taping all joints) a level, stable and waterproof floor is achieved ready for tiling.
Please see the WetBase® installation instructions for full details etc.

What is the maximum size tile that can be used with the WetBase®?

We recommend the use of mosaic tiles with the WetBase® because their flexible backing sheet allows for the contours of the WetBase® to be followed ensuring the speedy drainage of water. . If you wish to use larger format tiles they will need to be cut with an ‘envelope’ cut to help maintain the fall to the drain. If in doubt please consult a professional tiler for advice.

Can the WetBase® be used with under-floor heating?

Yes the WetBase® can be used with under-floor heating.
We recommend Warmup® under-floor heating products.

What depth is the drain / how much space does it require?

We ship the WetBase® with the high quality Dallmer Fast Flow Drain. The total depth of the drain, below the base is 86.5mm The grate measures 140mm by 140mm.

What are the differences between the tanking kits, Jackoboard & Weber Sys Protect?

In all honesty there is little difference between the two tanking kit choices. Both are ready mixed and simply paint on. Both have a coverage of approx 5 -7sqm.
We offer a choice between the two as some professional fitters have a preference. If it helps you to decide, our own wet room fitters use the Jackoboard tanking kit.

I have seen similar wet room trays on sale for cheaper with other sellers, why is the WetBase® more expensive?

The simple answer is because the WetBase® is a quality product, designed and manufactured in the European Union, FOR the UK market. It is not a cheaply manufactured far eastern import.
For many more reasons why the WetBase® will provide you peace of mind for your wet room see our blog article: Why buying a cheap wet room kit can end up costing more!