Can I have a wet room upstairs?
Yes, many upstairs bathrooms can be turned into wet rooms, but the details matter. The floor, drainage, waterproofing and shower layout all need to be checked before anyone promises a fully open wet room.
The floor needs to be suitable
An upstairs wet room puts more demand on the floor than a normal shower tray. The floor must be solid enough, flat enough and prepared correctly so the shower area does not move, flex or crack.
Timber floors often need strengthening, boarding or a purpose-made wet room former. If the floor has movement, leaks can appear later even when the tiles look fine at first.
Drainage is the biggest layout check
Wet rooms need a fall in the floor so water runs to the drain instead of spreading across the room. The waste pipe also needs enough space and a sensible route away from the shower area.
In some homes, joist direction, pipe routes or ceiling space below can limit where the drain can go. That does not always rule out the wet room, but it may affect the best shower position.
Waterproofing must be planned properly
Tiles and grout are not the waterproof layer. A wet room needs a tanking system, which is a waterproof barrier fitted behind the tiles and across the shower floor area.
Good waterproofing should cover the vulnerable corners, joints, wall-to-floor areas and any penetrations. This is especially important upstairs because a small leak can damage ceilings and rooms below.
A screen may still be a good idea
Some customers picture a completely open shower, but in real homes a glass screen can make the room easier to live with. It helps control spray, protects furniture and keeps the rest of the floor drier.
A walk-in shower with a low-profile tray can sometimes be a better answer than a full wet room, especially where drainage depth or room size is tight.
Questions to ask before choosing a wet room
- Is the upstairs floor solid enough, or will it need strengthening?
- Where can the waste pipe run without awkward boxing?
- Can the shower floor be formed with the right fall to the drain?
- How much of the room needs tanking?
- Would a screen or walk-in tray make the room easier to use?