An accessible wet room has to do two things at once: remove every step and stay completely watertight. Those goals pull against each other, which is why the waterproofing detail matters more here than in any other bathroom job.
The build, stage by stage
- Strip out and expose the floor, then check joists or screed for strength and level.
- Set the drain and form the falls with a sloped former or a screed to a fixed gradient.
- Tank the floor and wet zone walls as one continuous system, taped at corners and pipe collars.
- Water test the falls and the membrane before a single tile is fixed.
- Tile in a slip resistant format, small enough to follow the falls without lipping.
- Second fix the valve, seat, rails and screen, then test and certify the electrics.
Layout decisions for assisted use
- Drain placed away from where the chair or frame sits, so nobody stands over the wettest point.
- Shower controls reachable from seated height, ideally 750mm to 1000mm from the floor.
- Half height glass screen or a hinged panel, so a helper stays dry without blocking access.
- Wall hung basin with clear knee space and a lever mixer.
- Door opening outward or sliding, freeing the floor inside the room.
Floor and safety detail
- Slip resistant tiles rated for barefoot wet areas, not polished porcelain.
- Rails fixed into timber noggins or reinforced board, tested by hand before handover.
- Thermostatic control with a temperature limit set at commissioning.
- Good even lighting, with no shadow across the shower area.
- Extraction sized for the room and run to outside air, not into a loft void.
Local housing, real conditions
Terraces around Hanley, Burslem and Longton often have shallow joists that need attention before a recessed former is safe. Post war semis around Trentham, Kidsgrove and Newcastle-under-Lyme frequently have solid ground floors, which suits a low build up with a gentle threshold. We tell you which applies to your house at the survey rather than on day three.
Arrange your free survey
Call 01782 901390 or request a quote online. Free design and quote visit, fixed itemised price usually within 24 hours, one insured local team from strip out to handover.
Common questions
Is a wet room suitable for a wheelchair user?
Yes, when it is planned as one. That means a genuinely level threshold, a 1500mm turning circle where the room allows, a wall hung basin with knee space and a drain positioned away from the transfer route.
Can a wet room be fitted upstairs?
Regularly. On timber floors we either recess the former between the joists or build a shallow deck with a linear drain. We confirm which is possible once we have seen the joist direction.
How is it kept from leaking into the rest of the house?
A full tanking system across the wet zone floor and walls, taped at every corner and pipe penetration, water tested and photographed before the tiles go on. We do not mix products between brands.
Does a carer need extra space?
If someone is assisted, yes. We plan for a helper standing alongside the shower seat, usually needing 700mm to 900mm of clear space on the open side, plus a shower head on a flexible hose.
How long does an accessible wet room take?
Typically 8 to 14 working days depending on floor construction, with the tanking and drying stages fixed in the middle of that programme.
Are you insured and guaranteed for this work?
Fully insured, 5 star rated, over 25 years of local experience, and every wet room carries our written workmanship guarantee. All plumbing, tiling and electrics are done by our own fitters.