How to waterproof stucco in bathroom/shower?

c2g

A few weeks ago we came up with the idea to do a bathroom in stucco. Now I'm hoping I can find a good waterproofing solution! After applying a scratch & brown coat over wire lathe, we applied a finish coat of stucco and added Quikrete bonding adhesive/color. We also poured a concrete shower basin near the tub and did the whole thing in stucco as well. That bathroom looks incredible with the curved corners and everything, but I assumed there was definitely a product out there to waterproof it. Now I'm not sure.

I've been researching products and have it narrowed down to Damplock by SealKrete (although it goes on white & would have to be tinted), Water Shield by AFM Safecoat, and something by Aquron. Each place I contact, they're hesitant to say it would work 100% because they've never heard of anyone using the product for a shower stall (hot water, etc.). Does anyone have any suggestions?

Tscarborough

I hate to tell you this, but nothing is going to work well in that application.

However, the solution is simple, but too late. On your finish coat, you should have used marble dust as an aggregate, and it would be inherently waterproof.

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c2g

When you say nothing will work well, what do you mean? I actually did this in two bathrooms and I'd hate to think I have to do them both over again.

Tscarborough

There are no non-surface sealers that I know of that are approved for immersion use, and even most surface sealers will not warrant their product in that application.

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Tscarborough

Also, note that that doesn't mean it won't work, just that if it fails you are on your own.

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c2g

I just spoke to a distributor who says Aquron SPT-1200 would work and that if I have someone certified to do their applications, it would be covered with a 15-yr warranty. I'm probably going to go ahead and try it. It's around $350/5 gal, but anything that might work is fine by me at this point.

Tscarborough

Excellent! This one looks like a better choice, though:

http://www.aquron.com/our-products/c...proofing/cpsp/

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ccarlisle

A shower is a system, not just a collection of made-for-it elements...stucco on shower walls? sure why not? Even though it's a porous cementitious compound similar to mortar and can be trowelled onto cbu or any other cement base... Trouble is that it's a rough surface and very hard to clean, as you would see when you applied it.

But, since you built a shower system all by yourself, and apart from being porous and hard to clean, the waterproofing membrane behind it will stop the water and allow the whole shower system to breathe and dry out, so you're good to go!

Uh...you did put a membrane there didn't you? oh-no, maybe not...

Well then, you're sorta stuck. Personally, I think you have a mess on your hands.

Ya know, I don't assume anything much in my life anymore because when I do, I mistakenly figure I have all the bases covered and have all the answers. Seems like the more I know, the more I know I haven't got the answers...Having said that, I do assume I have enough food in the fridge to eat a good meal tonight - but thats as much of making an a** of myself as I want to go...

If I'm wrong I'll get hungry; but when I work for others or work on my own house, I certainly don't assume anything as I just don't know all the answers - and people pay me to know them. So I research a lot first before I do anything - to put chance on my side.

Now, and correct me if I'm wrong, first you built a shower assuming that stucco could be waterproofed afterwards. Then you went out looking for an answer and a product.

I don't know of any product (except RedGuard) that trowels onto another surface to make a shower waterproof, even as a first line of defence against water infiltration. No paints, no coatings, nothing. And especially not a cementitious product. I mean, I love thinset - but only for certain things.

On the bright side stucco is cheap and so you can afford to replace the shower in a few months as it starts falling off the wall. So just put up another one...done right this time.

Oh...and since you would hate to have to think about doing it over, you'll probably hate me for saying this: Be warned: you're going to hate your shower soon - and I'd really hate for you to hate me wouldn't I?

Yeah right...

Tscarborough

You raise good points, ccarlise, but you can use stucco in showers, and it can be easy to clean and 100% waterproof, requiring no more than normal underlayment. You have to use the proper stucco and techniques, though.

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ccarlisle

Yes, I know you can...

Lasqueti

Hi there - I read through the threads and was hoping someone could outline in 5 or so broad steps how to stucco a shower. I understand that we should use marble dust for the final layer - but any information before that would be much appreciated.

Lasqueti

Donn2390

The thought of brushing up against a stuccoed shower wall with my cute nude little body gives me the shivers...!

Lasqueti

Really, I personally think of it as exfoliation treatment while getting my hair clean at the same time.

yesitsconcrete

we've used our polymer-modified mtls on shower walls & sealed it w/epoxy,,, they are proprietary mtls,,, 1's been in place for 7yrs w/no troubles.

220/221

I have done it in two of my homes. Simply use "synthetic stucco".

It looks like stucco but acts like paint. It's made for exterior application and works perfectly in my shower/tub surround. Used every day for 5 years and no issues.

I hung Durock on the walls and used a pretty liberal coat over it.