Walk-in shower: when it's a bad idea (and why)

The walk-in shower has become a must-have.
Aesthetically, it's clean, modern, minimalist.
But in practice, it's not always a good solution, especially in renovation.

Here are the situations where I clearly advise against a walk-in shower, and why.

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🚿 1️⃣ Insufficient available height

A walk-in shower requires:

• Sufficient recess
• Correct slope
• Suitable trap

❌ In renovation, we often encounter:

• Concrete slab
• Existing floor
• Pipes too high

👉 Result:

• Insufficient slope
• Standing water
• Overflows

Without sufficient height, a walk-in shower is a source of problems.

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📐 2️⃣ The slope is poorly managed

👉 Too shallow a slope = water remains
👉 Poorly distributed slope = stagnant areas

❌ Common mistakes:

• Slope done "by eye"
• Tiles poorly oriented
• Trap poorly positioned

👉 In the long term:

• Grout turns black
• 
• Odors
• Infiltrations

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🧱 3️⃣ Waterproofing is underestimated

A walk-in shower forgives no mistakes.

❌ What I often see:

• Absence of WPDS (Waterproofing Protection System Under Tile)
• Sealing tapes poorly installed
• Neglected corners

👉 An infiltration can take months to manifest, but the damage is significant.

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🧍♂️ 4️⃣ PRM and actual use

For a PRM bathroom:

• The walk-in shower is often relevant
• But must be perfectly executed

❌ Poor execution = danger:

• Slips
• Insufficient drainage
• Complicated maintenance

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✅ When I recommend it (when done well)

The walk-in shower is an excellent solution if:

• ✔️ New construction
• ✔️ Sufficient height
• ✔️ Controlled waterproofing
• ✔️ Professional installation
• ✔️ Constraints analyzed upstream

Otherwise, a quality ultra-flat shower tray is often a better solution.

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