Annex B. Daily Use, Maintenance, Inspection, and Repairs
Correct use and maintenance reduce the exposure of materials and constructions, thus extending the lifespan of the materials and constructions. Project supervisors should prepare written guidelines containing the necessary information on correct use, inspection, maintenance, and renovation.
Guidelines for Using the Wet Room
At minimum, guidelines should contain the following information:
the necessity of wiping of wet surface areas and airing of the room well after showering. This will reduce the moisture load in the room. Moreover, a daily wiping will reduce the need for intense cleaning.
correct cleaning and maintenance of floor and wall coverings, surface finishes, installations, fixtures, and fittings.
the advice that ventilation ducts should never be completely shut because there is a permanent need for ventilation to remove residual moisture in shower curtains, towels, and other elements in the room.
the need for ventilation increases when drying clothes in a wet room as wet washing may contain as much as 2–3 kg of water.
how to clean waste outlets, ventilation ducts, and valves for ventilation systems.
the recommendation that nothing should be fixed to the walls in the wet zone (i.e., in and around shower stalls and bathtubs) because penetrating the watertight substrate (such as the waterproofing membrane) may produce leakages.
where and how pegs, hooks, holders, shower curtains, clothes horses, and grab rails can be fixed with the lowest risk of penetrating the watertight substrate and/or minimising the risk of damage.
how best to fix elements to best ensure continued watertightness (prioritised sequence):
Fixing with adhesives
Fixing with plugs and screws in a drilled hole (as small as possible) filled with liquid waterproofing membrane before inserting the screw
Fixing with plugs and screws in a drilled hole (as small as possible) filled with liquid silicone sealant before inserting the plug and screw.
Inspection
The wet room should be checked regularly, so that any indication of emerging problems can be detected as quickly as possible. At minimum, checks should uncover:
any cracking in the floor or wall surfaces, possibly indicating movement in the substrate.
mould growth which may be due to inadequate ventilation/airing or thermal bridges. Mould may constitute a health risk.
loose fittings or other loose fixtures and fittings potentially causing water infiltration at the point of fixing.
cracked, leaky, or loose pointing, potentially causing water infiltration.
Repairs
Instruction in how to carry out minor repairs should be given. At minimum, instructions should cover:
information on the materials used, such as the type of paint and tiles (type, brand, colour, etc.).
information on the installations fitted (such as toilet, fittings, and washbasin) with ancillary information to assist in obtaining spare parts.
information on replacing damaged single tiles. This can be done by milling out the sealant after which the tile can often be removed by heating it with a heat gun.