Will my Perth shower job need a building permit?

It depends on the wider scope of work rather than the membrane alone. Moving walls, changing plumbing or altering structure may bring approvals into play, so check with your local council before starting and ask the contractor what they expect for your shower recess.

What changes the price of waterproofing a shower recess in Perth?

The price mainly depends on the size of the recess, whether old tiles and membrane must come off first, and the hob or hobless detail. The membrane product, coat count and flood testing matter too, so ask for each item listed separately in a written quote.

Is DIY shower waterproofing a good idea in WA?

For most homeowners it is a risk best avoided. A small gap at the waste or a corner can leak unseen for months, and a clear record of who did the work helps if problems appear later, so licensed and insured contractors are the safer choice.

Which shower membrane should be used, and how many coats?

Ask for the membrane product by name and follow its maker's instructions, since coats and cure times vary between products. The written quote should state the product, the exact number of coats, the wall heights and the cure time before tiling, so you can check each one.

Should a new shower recess be flood tested before tiling?

Yes, asking for a flood test is sensible. Once the membrane has cured, the recess is plugged and filled with water for a set period to show it holds before tiles cover it. Ask whether testing is included and how the result will be recorded for you.

Shower Waterproofing in Perth, WA

Who shower waterproofing in Perth suits

If you are replacing a tired shower or building a new one, the membrane under the tiles keeps water out of the walls, the slab and the room next door. This work covers the recess alone: the floor, the wall corners, the hob or hobless edge and the waste. Getting it right before tiling costs far less than lifting tiles later.

What a sound shower membrane looks like

A well done recess has membrane across the full floor and carried up the walls to a set height, with flexible detailing at the wall and floor joins so movement does not crack it. The waste sits in a puddle flange that the membrane laps into, so any water reaching the screed drains away instead of tracking under the tiles.

Hob or hobless shower set-ups

A hob gives a raised lip that holds water inside the recess. A hobless or level entry shower relies on floor falls, the drain position and membrane continuing past the recess edge, so the detail carries more weight. Ask how your chosen set-up will be falled, drained and membraned before anything starts.

Membrane, coats and flood test questions

Ask which membrane product will be used by name, how many coats go on and how long it cures before tiling. Ask whether the recess will be flood tested once cured, and whether the product, coats, wall heights and testing will all be written into the quote. Clear answers here make two quotes easy to compare side by side.

Why the check before tiling is the deciding moment

Once tiles go on, the membrane is hidden for good. Photos of the cured membrane, the coat count and a flood test result give you a record of what sits behind the finish. The work should follow AS 3740, the Australian Standard for wet areas, and be done by licensed and insured contractors who will show you the recess before it is covered.

Next step for your shower recess

Note whether the old tiles are already off, whether you want a hob or a hobless entry, and roughly how wide and deep the recess is. A couple of clear photos of the floor and waste help as well. Add your suburb and a short description of the shower in the form.

Shower Waterproofing Services We Offer

✓New Shower Recess Waterproofing

Membrane for a new build or a fully stripped recess, applied to the bare screed and walls before any tiling.

✓Shower Re-waterproofing in a Renovation

Old tiles and failed membrane come off, then the recess is membraned again from the substrate up.

✓Hobless Shower Waterproofing

Membrane and drainage detail for level entry showers, where floor falls and the edge detail matter most.

How it works

1
Describe the shower
Note the recess size, the hob or hobless set-up, whether the tiles are already off and which suburb the home is in.
2
Agree the scope in writing
Confirm the membrane product by name, the number of coats, the wall heights, the waste detail and any flood testing.
3
Membrane and cure
The recess is primed and membraned with the waste and corners detailed, then left to cure fully before tiling begins.
4
Check before tiling
Inspect or photograph the cured membrane and confirm the flood test result before the tiler covers the recess.