Ensuring Wet Areas Do Not Become Exactly That (Part 4)

If your current project requires a wet area bathroom, WarmUp have a solution that raises the bar and addresses the key elements to ensure a true leak free system!

Generally enclosed shower systems have focused on looks rather than function and sustainability and this has resulted in issues around waterproofing integrity, material compatibility and correct installation procedures.

Using the very latest technologies, the innovative and tested WarmUp shower solution is the first completely waterproof and integrated Wet Room Design where all of its components and installation are totally guaranteed.

I spoke to Todd Eglinton, Director of WarmUp ANS Ltd, just before the launch of this fantastic new system and asked him what makes WarmUp wetrooms different from anything else and why they headed down this path in the first place.

Chris Withers: So Todd, what is the point of difference between wetrooms and the other enclosed shower systems available?

Todd Eglinton: Put very simply we supply and install all the things that are typically hidden in a bathroom. Underlay (insulating board), Undertile heating, shower base and walls, waterproofing – things that all need to work together perfectly for the bathroom to look like it’s best for years.  So often shortcuts are taken on these key components either through ignorance or cost cutting because they are not obvious seen – yet often they are the most important.  All the components used are already well proven – independently they are specifically designed to do what we require.  By standardising the procedures and systemising the installations we are able to iron out a lot of the pitfalls that, despite even the best intentions, any amount of regulation or independent installer skill simply can’t prevent.

CW: And what are some of the features and benefits?

TE: Again the supply and install, resulting in a one stop shop guarantee; all key components are all BRANZ appraised; the nature of the key components means we have significant flexibility in design and install so are not limited to a standard size; there are a significant number of individual features and benefits with each of the components – too many to list here!

CW: Who are some of the product partners?

TE: The main ones are: Marmox, WarmUp (of course), Ardex, Metroglass, Sika, and Aquatite.

CV: What is the expected installation time?

TE: Depending on the job it can be done from an unlined bathroom shell to completely waterproofed and ready for Tiling (or flood testing if required) in two days.

CW: So why is WarmUp moving in this direction and designing a system like wetrooms?

TE: It would be easy to sit back and sell components via a distributor (or direct) but then we are just another supplier.  So often when doing undertile heating we were an addition to the specification – an afterthought as it were.  With the move (rightly so) to a system based product approach we feel there is a need for a system product and install approach – a “nowhere to hide” approach if you will.  We have been involved in supply and install of the components for a number of years so this is just a natural progression of what we do.

CW: It sounds like WarmUp have really put some thought into this and the benefits are across the board.

TE: People like it when you make their life easy.  Whether it is by offering a “look” they didn’t know they could have, taking the responsibility for a high risk job, or simply making an “associated trade’s” job easier.  We are lucky enough to be in a position where we can continually research and test what is out there and if appropriate, offer it.  There are a heap of specialist products being launched in our market daily and if an architect or builder could keep up with them all they wouldn’t be doing a lot of their own work. It’s all about making people’s life easier and at the end of the day that is our aim.

Look, this is more than just another company offering a product with a guarantee, here you have a system that looks at some real weak points that are typically associated with wet area bathrooms and showers and addresses them by applying innovative solutions to these problematic areas.

I would recommend you visit www.warmupwetrooms.co.nz/downloads to view the technical information that is available and specify this system for all of your projects that require a wet area bathroom.