Shower in a living room?

Conberg Ehitus team was asked whether a shower is suitable in a room that has not been previously prepared
Installation of a shower cabin in a room where wet room requirements are not met is possibly hazardous for the entire building. Excess water vapor in air leads to additional moisture, an underlying reason for potential damage.

The biggest problems arise in spring, autumn, and winter when the outside temperatures are low and humidity levels are high. Usually, the results are “sweaty” windows, spoiled finishing materials, swelling of windowsills due to dampness and mold. Mold can also develop on interior materials in dry rooms because they have not been manufactured to resist constant moisture. Materials used in dry rooms do not contain biocidal products, which could prevent mold. In addition, mold could grow on clothes, shoes, books, or other items made of organic materials that have been stored away in storage rooms or wardrobes.

In addition, one of the biggest hazards is leakages from the shower cabin, in which case water could get to the building structures. Dwellings do not have relevant hydro isolation and emergency support to block or direct water into sewage. Water that has gotten into building structures will spoil the interiors and moisture is locked in an unaired environment which in turn creates a favorable environment for fungal growth. Fungi damages structures and in time the consequences could be irreversible, as the structures might lose their load-bearing capacity or the entire building needs major repairs to eliminate fungi.

In case of such damages, it is not possible to claim any compensation from the insurance company, because it is a construction fault. In the worst-case scenario, third parties might also suffer damages which means that the insurance compensates repair works for the neighbor and collects the damages from the owner of the shower cabin.

When installing a shower cabin, the room needs to have hydro isolation, forced ventilation, and emergency support according to the instructions of the material manufacturer. We should use materials that are suitable for wet rooms. We should not forget about electricity safety, since all lights, switches, and sockets have to be resistant to moisture.

Every building consists of different structures and solutions which means that in the case of a bathroom, we should take into account the specifics of a wet room and we would recommend commissioning a specialist who has the experience and building logic to avoid later permanent faults.