rotten & water damaged framing around shower base?

[chriskamen]

Hi everyone,

Would love to get your thoughts on whether I need to worry about some water damage and rotted framing around my shower base. I've just had the asbestos lining of the shower cubicle removed, to reveal the framing in this condition (see photos).

I'm planning to reline the walls and retile. I'm going to waterproof everything properly so that no more water damage can occur, but I'm wondering if I need to do any remedial work on this framing before I cover it over again?

It looks to me like the framing isn't too structural, it appears to just be timber used as moulding in the original shower base concrete pour.

If you think this needs remedial work then please let me know what you would recommend I do.

Thanks,
Chris

873718737287373

[chriskamen]

Hi again peeps, thought I might check in at the end of the day to share my experience.

Today, on the advice of an experienced handyman, I removed all those concrete blocks from between the studs and generally cleaned away all the rotted timber. Now I'm going to make some new noggins between the studs so that I can attach the new Aquachek plasterboard to them at the bottom near the base.

I've been told that the biggest thing to focus on is the waterproofing. You've gotta have multiple levels of waterproofing so that there is absolutely no chance of water getting into the timber framework again and causing any more damage. So that's tomorrow's job for me...

I'll try to come back tomorrow with another update.

Cheers,
-CK

[Oldsaltoz]

I would avoid the plasterboard, it only takes a pinhole through the paper and the plaster turns to mud.

Villaboard is stiffer and stronger, something worth having if you plan tile the walls.

If you plan to do the waterproofing yourself, look for one that comes with a proper membrane, not just a paint on.

Good luck. :)

[woodchip]

Get some fixings down through the noggin into the floor, the idea is to acheive a solid member to fix the lining to, so the waterproffing doesnt break.
I would also use villaboard.
cheers

[chriskamen]

Hey guys, thanks for the thoughts.

I was tossing up between villa board and Aquachek as the lining. Gyprock say it's specifically designed for wet areas, and I even called them up to double check they recommend it for showers, and they do. The plaster in Aquachek has been treated to deal with any moisture that gets back there. But the aim of the game is to waterproof properly with membrane which I intend to do very carefully, with lots of silicone on the joins. I decided to go with Aquachek in the end because it'll be easier to work with and it's a bit cheaper too.

(Out of interest I was also considering this new style of board called MO2 board, or magnesium oxide board. These guys call it Modakboard: ModakBoard - The Australian Building Board Alternative (http://www.modakboard.com.au) - looks good but they don't yet stock it at Bunnings)

I'm going to make some noggins tomorrow so that I've got a secure base to screw to attach the Aquachek against.

Oldsaltoz - I don't know any membrane other than the ones that you paint on. What other types are there? I just got a waterproofing kit from Bunnings which has the bandage for joints, the waterproof membrane in a paint tin. Two coats I think.

Cheers!

-CK