GB2465619A

GB2465619A - A floor assembly for a bathroom with drain outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2465619A
Application number: GB0821567A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Laverty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-26
Filing date: 2008-11-26
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-26
Also published as: GB2465619B; IE20090882A1; GB0821567D0

Abstract

A floor assembly for a bathroom comprising a water impervious or waterproof membrane or layer 10 covering substantially the entire floor are of the bathroom. The floor assembly also includes an upstanding peripheral wall 20. The water proof layer defines a water catchment tray 100 for collecting any leakage or excess water from a sanitary fitting, such as a bath, shower or toilet, located within the room. Also provided is a drain outlet 40 defined by the membrane. A method of fitting the assembly is also provided.

Description

Floor Assembly for a Bathroom This invention relates to a floor assembly for a bathroom and to a method of installing a floor assembly in a bathroom.

Leakages from bathroom fittings can cause significant damage, particularly where the bathroom is located upon an upper floor where water can teak through into a room heow, even in the event of a small leak, causing severe damage, in particular to ceilings, carpets and plasterwork, requiring time consuming and expensive remedial work.

An object of the present invention is to avoid such problem.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a floor assembly for a bathroom comprising a water impervious membrane covering substantially the entire floor area of the bathroom and including an upstanding peripheral wall whereby the membrane defines a water catchment tray for collecting any leakage from sanitaly fitting located within the room, a drain outlet being provided in the membrane communicating with a drain conduit for draining away any water collected on the membrane.

Preferably the drain outlet is provided in a depression or recess to define a water collection sump located below the level of the remainder of the membrane.

Preferably the membrane is coupled with, or incorporates, a raised saddle adjacent the or each doorway of the room.

The membrane may be provided below a floor covering of the room.

In one embodiment, a water impervious barrier layer may be provided on at least a lower portion of the walls of the room, a lower end of said barrier layer overlaying said upstanding peripheral wall of the membrane such that any moisture collected upon the banier layer is drained into the catchment tray defined by the membrane. A wall covering, such as tiles, may be provided overlaying said barrier layer. Preferably the barrier layer is formed from a breathable membrane to avoid the formation of condensation thereon.

Preferably the membrane is formed from butyl rubber or any other suitable polymeric material.

Preferably one more conduits or pipes of one or more sanitary fittings within the bathroom, such as a shower, bath, sink or toilet, pass through the membrane, said membrane forming a water tight seal against the outer surface of said one or more pipes. Said one or more pipes may he provided with axially cooperating flanges or connecting means engaging said membrane to form a seal therewith. Alternatively, or additionally, the membrane may be chemically or adhesively bonded to the outer surface of said one or more pipes to form a liquid tight seal therewith. In one embodiment, one or more upstanding conduits or passages may be provided on said membrane through which said one or more pipes or conduits may be passed.

Preferably the membrane is supported upon a base member. In one embodiment the base member comprises a concrete floor. Alternatively the base member may comprise one or more planar sheets of substantially rigid material, such as wood or fibre reinforced resin.

The base member may comprise a plurality of floor boards laid upon joists.

A shower tray may be located above or on top of said membrane. The shower tray may include or be provided with a drain conduit passing through said membrane, wherein said membrane is sealed to said conduit to form a watertight connection therewith. Preferably the shower tray is located upon spacers above the membrane. Alternatively, the base of the shower tray may be shaped or configured to allow water to flow therebeneath into the drain outlet of the membrane.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a floor assembly in a bathroom comprising the steps of locating a water impervious membrane upon a base member defining the floor of the room, said membrane comprising an upstanding peripheral wall abutting the walls of the bathroom, whereby the membrane defines a water catchment tray for collecting any leakage from sanitary fitting located within the room, and providing a drain outlet in the membrane communicating with a drain conduit for draining away any water collected on the membrane.

Preferably the method further comprises the step of providing a depression or recess in said base member and locating said drain outlet within said depression.

The method may comprise the further step of providing a water impervious barrier layer on at least a lower portion of the walls of the room, a lower end of said barrier layer overlaying said upstanding peripheral wall of the membrane such that any moisture collected upon the barrier kyer is drained into the catchment tray defined by the membrane.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a sectional view through a bathroom incorporating a floor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view through a bathroom incorporating a floor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention incorporating a shower tray.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a floor assembly for bathroom comprises a tray-like butyl rubber base membrane 10 dimensioned to cover the entire floor area of the room and having upstanding peripheral side walls 20 extending up the walls of the room to a height of approximately 200 mm from the floor to provide a waterproof barrier to prevent water damage due to leakages from bathroom fittings, such as showers, baths, sinks or toilets.

At doorways, the base membrane 10 incorporates, or is coupled with, a raised saddle or sill 30 of approximately 20 to 30 mm in height to provide a barrier to water.

A drain 40 is provided in the base membrane 10 for removing any water collected thereon.

The drain 40 communicates with a drain outlet 50, which may be adapted to pass through an external wall of the building to provide a visual indication that a leak has occurred in the bathroom while safely canying away the leaking water. Preferably the drain outlet 50 is provided with a water trap, such as a U-bend, and may have a grill at its outlet end to prevent ingress of odours and vermin respectively.

The base membrane 10 is supported upon a base member 60 comprising coplanar sheets of 19mm thick plywood located upon wooden joists 65 to provide a smooth and even supporting surface for the membrane 10. A recess or depression is formed in the base member in the region of the drain into which the membrane 10 conforms to define a sump region 70, whereby the drain 40 is located below the floor level of the room to ensure that any water collected upon the base membrane 10 flows into the drain 40. Alternatively the drain 40 may he integrally formed in the base of a moulded sump formed from a substantially rigid material, such as a thermoplastic material, to define said sump region 70, the edges of the moulded sump being connected to base membrane 10.

The base member 60 may be ananged to provide a gentle sloping surface leading towards the drain to avoid "puddling" of water on the membrane.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the base member 60 may comprise a concrete or screed floor, again having a depression or recessed region to define the sump region 70 and providing a drain passage therethrough for the drain outlet conduit 50.

Where sanitary fittings are provided in the bathroom, such as shower units, baths, sinks and toilets, the drain conduits thereof may be arranged to pass through the base membrane 10 in sealing contact therewith. Fittings may be provided on said outlet conduits which engage the membrane to form a seal therewith, and/or the membrane may be adhesively or chemically adhered thereto. Preferably water (for sinks and radiators) or other supply pipes are passed into the bathroom up the walls, behind the membrane. Alternatively some or all of such pipes may pass through the membrane, possibly through upstanding tubular ports having openings arranged at or above the level of the peripheral side walls of the membrane.

The wall coverings of the bathroom may comprise waterproof surfaces, such as ceramic tiles and/or waterproof render, preferably overlapping the peripheral side walls of the membrane to drain any water collected thereon onto the membrane.

As shown in the drawings, one or more waterproof wall membranes 80 may be affixed to at least a lower portion of the walls of the room, a lower edge of the or each waterproof wall membrane 80 overlapping the peripheral side walls 20 of the base membrane 10 so that any water collected thereon drains onto the base membrane 10. An outer wall covering may be affixed over the top of the or each wall membrane 80. Preferably the or each wall membrane 80 is formed from a breathable material, such as Monoperm" breathable felt, to prevent the formation of condensation thereon. Preferably the or each wall membrane 80 extends up the walls to a height of approximately 1200mm from the floor level.

Where a bath is fitted, the wall membrane 80 preferably extends to a height above the uppermost sides of the bath.

Preferably a single wall membrane 80 is provided in the region of a shower tray, said wall membrane extending around the sides of the shower tray in contact with the walls to avoid the formation of any gaps that may lead to leakage, particularly in the corners of the room.

As shown in Figure 2, where a shower tray 100 is provided in the bathroom, such is located on top of the base membrane 10, preferably over the drain 40 thereof. The shower tray 100 is preferably spaced above the base membrane 10 by spacers, such as plastic packers, to allow water to pass beneath the shower tray 100 and reach the drain 40. Alternatively the base of the shower tray may be shaped to allow water to pass between the base of the shower tray and the base membrane.

Preferably the peripheral side walls 20 of the base membrane 10 are dimensioned to extend at least 75 irn above the sides of the shower tray 100.

A shower outlet 110 may pass through the base membrane 10 and be sealingly connected to the base membrane 10 by suitable fixtures and/or adhesive.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A floor assembly for a bathroom comprising a water impervious membrane covering substantially the entire floor area of the bathroom and including an upstanding peripheral wall whereby the membrane defines a water catchment tray for collecting any leakage from sanitary fitting located within the room, a drain outlet being provided in the membrane communicating with a drain conduit for draining away any water collected on the membrane.
2. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drain outlet is provided in a depression or recess to define a water collection sump located below the level of the remainder of the membrane.
3. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is coupled with, or incorporates, a raised saddle adjacent the or each doorway of the room.
4. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said membrane is provided below a floor covering of the room.
5. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a water impervious barrier layer is provided on at least a lower portion of the walls of the room, a lower end of said barrier layer overlaying said upstanding peripheral wall of the membrane such that any moisture collected upon the barrier layer is drained into the catchment tray defined by the membrane.
6. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein a wall covering, such as tiles, overlays said barrier layer.
7. A floor assembly as claimed in claim S or claim 6, wherein said bather layer is formed from a breathable membrane.
8. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said membrane is formed from butyl rubber or any other suitable polymeric material.
9. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one more conduits or pipes of one or more sanitary fittings within the bathroom, such as a shower, bath, sink or toilet, pass through the membrane, said membrane forming a water tight seal against the outer surface of said one or more pipes.
10. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said one or more pipes are provided with axially cooperating flanges or connecting means engaging said membrane to form a seal therewith.
11. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said membrane is chemically or adhesively bonded to the outer surface of said one or more pipes to form a liquid tight seal therewith.
12. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein one or more upstanding conduits or passages are provided on said membrane through which said one or more pipes or conduits may be passed.
13. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said membrane is supported upon a base member.
14. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said base member comprises a concrete floor.
15. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said base member comprises one or more planar sheets of substantially rigid material, such as wood or fibre reinforced resin.
16. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said base member comprises a plurality of floor boards laid upon joists.
17. A floor assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a shower tray is located above or on top of said membrane.
18. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said shower tray includes or is provided with a drain conduit passing through said membrane, wherein said membrane is sealed to said conduit to form a watertight connection therewith.
19. A floor assembly as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the shower tray is located upon spacers above the membrane.
20. A method of installing a floor assembly in a bathroom comprising the steps of locating a water impervious membrane upon a base member defining the floor of the room, said membrane comprising an upstanding peripheral wall abutting the walls of the bathroom, whereby the membrane defines a water catchment tray for collecting any leakage from sanitary fitting located within the room, and providing a drain outlet in the membrane communicating with a drain conduit for draining away any water collected on the membrane.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising the step of providing a depression or recess in said base member and locating said drain outlet within said depression.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, further comprising the step of providing a water impervious bather layer on at least a lower portion of the walls of the room, a lower end of said barrier layer overlaying said upstanding peripheral wall of the membrane such that any moisture collected upon the barrier layer is drained into the catchment tray defined by the membrane.