Spotlight on: Using AquaStrap to fit shower trays

When it comes to fitting shower trays in your customers’ bathrooms, we always recommend AquaStrap, if you want to achieve the best result. A well-known and trusted industry brand, AquaStrap is available from Bathshack and, as always, we offer great-value prices for our trade clients.

Whether you regularly use AquaStrap or need a refresh on using it to fit shower trays and baths, we’ve put together some key facts below, along with a step-by-step guide on how to fit it.

AquaStrap is ideal for giving shower trays a watertight finish.

What is AquaStrap?

In a nutshell, AquaStrap is a high-quality up-stand seal which is attached to the exterior of shower trays and baths to provide a watertight finish. Specifically designed for use with new shower tray installations, AquaStrap can be used in both bathrooms and dedicated wet rooms and is preferable over shower strips or trims, particularly if you don’t want a visible plastic sealing strip around your shower.

At what stage is AquaStrap fitted during installation?

AquaStrap should be used before you tile the shower, as it is placed between the wall and tiles. A silicone joint then remains between the bottom of the tiles and the shower tray/bath ledge.

Step-by-step guide to using AquaStrap

When using AquaStrap to fit a shower tray, you’ll need to use sand to bed down the tray first, before using AquaStrap to tank it.

NB AquaStrap has both an upper and lower release liner, so make sure you remove only the upper liner first, as per the instructions below, not both together.

1. Prepare the walls: The first step when using AquaStrap is to make sure the walls are fully prepped, so cleaning and roughening them with wire wool will ensure that the surface is ready to accept the AquaStrap and will be in the best condition to ensure a strong fit.
2. Unroll and fit the AquaStrap: Once the walls are prepped, you can then unwind the AquaStrap, extending it along the full length of the wall and approx. 200mm around the corner, before removing the upper release liner.
   NB The aligning cord (a raised ridge) at the top edge of the AquaStrap should be kept in line with the top ledge of the shower tray as you then press the AquaStrap onto the adjacent wall.
   Continue as above until the first side is finished, removing the liner from the AquaStrap 150mm after the corner.

3. Remove lower release liner: Lift the lower release liner on the AquaStrap (at a right angle to the side wall) and pull it downwards to remove, going 150mm beyond the corner, before pressing the adhesive part against the side wall. Make sure you remove any air bubbles as you attach the AquaStrap to the wall.
   NB If the shower tray or bath has rounded corners then you should pinch the AquaStrap together before bonding the adhesive side to ensure a right angle going around the corner.
4. Repeat AquaStrap installation as above around the remainder of the shower tray.

Top tips!

• Using a seam-roller will help to ensure that the AquaStrap adhesive strip attaches as firmly as possible to the walls, for a more secure fit.
• The foam strip should be cut 45mm in length and the ends capped.
• When the shower tray or bath is installed, the AquaStrap which remains above the tray/bath ledge should be bonded to the adjacent wall. You can use a polymer adhesive for this.
• Use a good quality silicone such as Sealux-N and put this in between the tile/ledge joint.

AquaStrap can be used to install both baths and shower trays.

At Bathshack, we supply the Sealux Aquastrap Waterproof Bath and Shower Tray Seal Black Flexible EPDM Adhesive in a variety of different sizes, including 2m, 2.5m, 3.4m and 5m. Providing a watertight seal around shower trays and baths, AquaStrap subsequently prevents leaks and water damage.

Made from high-quality black butyl adhesive, this flexible material means that AquaStrap has a strong sealing bond and will subsequently stand up against shrinkage and expansion over time, ensuring peace of mind for your customers. After the sealant, AquaStrap is the next line of defence against leaks, while its flexibility means that it also allows for the inevitable movement that accompanies new-builds.

If you need any more information on using AquaStrap, then our trade services team is always happy to help with any queries.

Contact Bathshack for all your trade bathroom needs. Alternatively, email our team at info@bathshack.com or give us a call on (028) 9077 0188.