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Shower former wet rooms


Wet rooms – Wet room bathrooms – Wet room ideas – Wet room designs

Wet rooms are becoming more and more desirable, and they're a great way to add value to your home. But how exactly do you go about designing a wet room? We've put together a handy guide with everything you need to know, from what tiles to choose to specialist wet room companies you can contact about installation.

Want more bathroom ideas? READ: Small bathroom ideas to optimise your tiny space

Can anyone have a wet room?

In theory, yes. Wet rooms are basically shower rooms that do away with the shower screen and tray, and have an open, fully tiled shower area. If your bathroom is on the small side you probably will need to include a shower screen to prevent everything getting sprayed.

(Image credit: Future PLC /Matthew Williams)

Water drainage

Installing a wet room is a job for the professionals, as a gradient needs to be created along the floor to channel the shower water into a drain and then the entire room needs to be tanked (waterproofed).

The most common method for creating a gradient is to install a sub-floor made from WBP Ply (a type of plywood), which is then tiled over.

Another option is to install a ready-made sloping shower former (a bit like a giant shower tray), which is also then tiled over.

A final method is to use a bespoke floor in the non-porous material HI-MACS that slopes towards a drain, and can be fitted across the entire floor without the need for tiling over.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing wet rooms involves priming the floor, the lower section of the walls and the whole of the wall area around the shower and then covering with a syrupy membrane. Once it's set, the room is then tiled.

It's also worth raising the bathroom door threshold by about 5mm from the floor in case the room fills with water (if someone covers the shower drain with a towel, for example). This will keep the water contained.

(Image credit: Future PLC/Damian Russell)

Layout

(Image credit: C. P. Hart)

Rebecca Milnes, Designer at C.P Hart says, 'One of the first things to consider when planning a wet room is where to position the drain. Ideally the drain should be as far away from the bathroom door as possible to minimise any risk of water escaping the room.

If you have a wooden sub-floor, the way your joists run is crucial to where your drain can be positioned. You'll also need to think about which way the gradient falls towards the waste will run, to avoid any tricky wedging effects.'

Advantages of wet rooms

(Image credit: C.P. Hart)

Related: If a wet room isn't for you, have a look at our shower room ideas

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Brown)

Disadvantages of wet rooms

Related: 10 Ways to make your Bathroom feel Bigger

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lucinda Symons)

Related: Hotel-style bathroom ideas to inspire a luxurious scheme

How much will a wet room cost?

The cost of installing a wet room is usually between £5,000 and £10,000. If you are paying a company to tank and install a wet room, including floor-to-ceiling tiles, suite and shower, expect to pay more. Retailers such as Victoria Plum and Wickes may offer you some ideas or can sell you those little extras you need to complete your wet room.

(Image credit: Future PLC /Jake Fitzjones)

What type of surface materials should I use in a wet room?

(Image credit: TBC)

Tiles are the most popular wall and floor covering, but you can opt for sheet vinyl for the floor, or even Corian, which is a seamless, non-porous material that is low-maintenance. Concrete and tadelakt (a waterproof plaster from Morocco) will lend your wet room a rough luxe look.

If you are going to use tiles, choose non-porous bathroom tiles like ceramic or porcelain. Porous tiles, such as slate, marble and limestone need sealing every few months to prevent water damage. Only use floor tiles specifically for bathrooms on the floor so they aren't slippery.

C.P. Hart designer, Rebecca Milnes says 'When deciding which wet room system to go for, think about what your sub-floor is made of. There are systems for both solid and wooden floors.

Forgoing a shower tray in favour of a wet room allows the floor tiles to run through to the shower, which adds visual space to a room. However, not all surfaces are safe in a wet room.

It is crucial to know the slip rating of materials. I'd recommend using a material with a structured, textured finish to give extra grip. Mosaics are a great choice for wet areas, as the grout between the tiles gives appropriate grip.'

Try Topps Tiles for a good selection for your wet room.

Can I install underfloor heating?

Many fitters recommend installing underfloor heating as it keeps the tiles warm underfoot and helps to dry out the water on the floor.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Nikki Crisp)

Wet room decorating ideas to consider before you start

Before you even think about getting the builders in, make sure you have thought through every element of your wet room scheme. From shelving to shower fittings, take your time in the planning stage to ensure that everything will be just as you want it.

Choose your sanitaryware

Rebecca Milnes, Designer at C.P. Hart says, 'If you're embracing the full wet room and foregoing any kind of screen, it is essential to think about your choice of sanitaryware, as it is likely to get wet from the shower spray or condensation in the room. Opt for ceramics that are flush to the wall and ideally wall-mounted. A wall-hung toilet is a brilliant choice in a wet room, as there are no areas for water to pool and makes cleaning easier.'

Pick your shower fittings

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Decide whether or not you want shower valves to be exposed or concealed. Exposed shower valves work well in a modern country scheme and are also easier to install. But if you want a super-sleek look, a fixed rainwater shower head with concealed pipework can't be beaten. If you only install a fixed shower head, it can be hard to avoid getting your hair wet - annoying if you don't shampoo every time, and they're not terribly useful for cleaning the shower. The best solution is to include a handheld shower as well.

Double up

Side-by-side showers are perfect for bathrooms designed for sharing,' says Jonathan Carter at Victoria & Albert Baths. 'It's often a style you'll find in luxury hotels and allows plenty of personal space while making a bold statement. Try pairing with a freestanding tub to enjoy the best of both worlds.'

Choose sleek modern drainage

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Bolton)

Longing for an invigorating power shower? Then you'll need to install a drain that can handle high water volumes efficiently. A flush-fitting, channel-style drain collects water across its full width, effectively preventing floods. Look for a drain with an easy access dirt trap to help keep the water running freely.

Create a natural partition without glass

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Armelle Habib)

Many wet rooms have a glass panel for containing splashes, but that's not the only way to section off the shower part of your wet room. A tiled partition wall is also a great way to stop water from flowing all over the room, while providing the easy walk-in access that makes wet rooms so popular.

Store well

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Matt Cant)

Allocating a dedicated space for storing shampoo and soap inside your shower area is essential. One of the smartest solutions is niche shelving, which can be built into a stud wall at construction stage. Unlike chrome racks and rails, niche storage doesn't encroach on your showering space. It's important to tile the actual shelf on a slight gradient to prevent water from pooling at the back. Add discreet waterproof lighting to softly illuminate.

It's best to employ a specialist company rather than a separate builder, plumber and tiler. The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (kbsa.org.uk ) and the Federation of Master Builders (fmb.org.uk ) both have online databases of specialists in your area. Before choosing a company, ask to see examples of their work.

Also try:

Bathstore - design and installation of wet rooms (including sanitaryware)

Homebase - supplies wet room panels and kits

Solidity - offers an alternative to tanking using HI-MACS

Wetrooms UK - provides a tanking service with a 10-year guarantee

Wetrooms Online - wet room products and installation guides

C.P. Hart - this premium bathroom retailer has in-house designers who can help plan your scheme

Related: See all the Bathroom Tile Trends

Have you been converted, or will you be sticking with a more traditional bathroom for now?

Thea Babington-Stitt is the Assistant Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles for nearly 10 years. 

She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors.

Wet room floor former size guide v| Choosing the correct size of wet room shower floor former

A floor former simplifies the creation of a wet room shower floor

Creating a steady gradient towards the waste outlet is not as simple as it sounds. Sure you can make a shape in a floor, but will the angle be consistent and will the structure withstand the test of time? Creating a slope in a floor manually takes quite a while, so if time is money the use of a floor former makes perfect sense. Not only will a floor former offer you a ready-made slope towards the waste (at the perfect angle), it also offers a strong and durable floor -  enhancing structurally rigidity in the showering area. Furthermore, waste traps are designed to work with their respective floor formers ensuring a watertight installation (no drips or leaks in places you cannot see or subsequently get to easily!).

Specialist wet room shower screens

To compliment your project are an outstanding selection of wet room shower screens. Impey offer frameless, clear-glass screens in the Aquascreen range, Novellini offer Italian styling in their Kuardra and Giada ranges.  Using the right type of screen gives the showering area that finishing touch.

What size wet room shower floor former should I use?

Floor former sizes

Wet room floor formers (also referred to as a floor trays) are available in a number of popular sizes. Needless to say, if your wet room area and one of the tray sizes happen to match then there is little to decide. However, not all installations will enjoy such a happy coincidence.

 

What if the standard floor former is too big?

There are obvious advantages in choosing a floor former that is as close to the size of shower area you wish to install. But remember, although it is unlikely you will wish to exceed the area in which you will shower by much it is not a problem if the former protrudes slightly outside the showering area. The slope on a wet room floor former is subtle, so having it extend slightly into the room should not cause issues or be aesthetically unattractive. Indeed, if you intend to utilise glass shower screens you may prefer to have the drips from the glass landing on the slope towards the gully so a bigger tray might be considered advantageous. (This may not apply if you wish your door or screen to remain in contact with the floor)

 

Trimming a wet room shower floor former

Floor formers can be trimmed. On each size you will see an area on the perimeter designated as the 'trimmable area'. This may be left as is or trimmed to reduce the deck size by the stated amount if it happens to be slightly too big or the wrong shape. It is not advisable to trim beyond this area as the slope of tray could be compromised.

 

What if the floor former is not big enough?

(The following should not be taken as official guidance and may not represent the opinion of the manufacturer)

You may find the situation arises where you are left with a reasonable gap to the wall around the tray having selected the nearest size floor former for your shower area. This is where you might need to become a little creative. There is no 'absolute' way to handle such a problem, but within reason you can overcome such an inconvenience.

 

Within reason you can 'extend' the showering area beyond the perimeter of the former. There can be several ways to achieve this depending on the construction of the floor and the type of floor covering being used. The other obvious factor will be how much of a shortfall you have to make up.

 

For example:

We will assume you are tiling the floor and your wet room floor former is approximately 200mm short of the target width within an alcove.

To begin, it might be desirable to centre the floor former within the alcove - leaving approx 100mm (4") either side to the wall.

It is recommended you waterproof your shower area with a tanking membrane.

When tiling, simply comb your floor adhesive across the deck in the normal manner spreading into the 100mm shortfall area either side of the tray.

 

   

Aquadec installs into the floor onto joists*.
     

*Manufacturer's recommendations should be followed with regard to reinforcement and/or additional support under the floor former.
     

 

When tiling, bed your tile on the adhesive in the shortfall area at a slight angle similar to the angle of the tiles on the shower area - extending the run of tiles from the floor former to the alcove wall.

The extended slope is made within the adhesive around the periphery. As the fall on the floor former is only slight so will the fall be on your extended perimeter. If done well it shouldn't notice.

Centre your Aquadec leaving equal spacing either side

    
     
 

Many installations require a little lateral thinking. Whatever your requirement happens to throw at you a wet room floor former is an excellent place to start creating your wet room shower.

All that's left is to choose which range you wish to use.

To the main Wet Rooms page

  

   

Extend your tiling beyond the edge of the Aquadec
     
     

 

Call us for friendly help, advice or technical assistance

Transfer of the wet zone in the apartment.

All aspects. 2. Legalized redevelopment of the bathroom.

1. Transfer of wet areas in the apartment - all the nuances and features.

1.1. Enlargement of the bathroom due to the corridor.

nine0018 Transfer of the wet zone in the apartment - permission (clause 1.6).

Such works during the redevelopment of an apartment as an increase in the wet zone due to a corridor or other non-residential premises are not prohibited by existing regulations.

Thus, it is permissible to expand or arrange additional wet zones on the area of ​​non-residential premises (all premises inside the apartment except living rooms and kitchens). It is necessary to carry out such work after obtaining the appropriate permit for repairs. nine0019

1.2. Expansion of the bathroom due to the kitchen or room.

Often, apartment owners want to increase the bathroom at the expense of the kitchen or room. Unfortunately, such redevelopment is prohibited by clause 7.20 of SP 54.13330.2022.

According to them, any wet zone inside the apartment (expanded or arranged additionally) should not be located (even partially) above the living quarters of the apartment, which is located on the floor below. Since the officials automatically consider that the layout of the apartment below completely coincides with the layout of your apartment, you, therefore, cannot climb into the living rooms and kitchens with wet areas when repairing an apartment. Even when performing appropriate waterproofing in the floor of such premises. nine0019

Of course, from the point of view of logic, it is not entirely clear why it is possible to transfer wet areas in an apartment to non-residential rooms, but not to residential ones. After all, if you flood the corridor below the neighbor, and not the room, then it will not be easier for him. But, unfortunately, we have such laws, and in order to agree on redevelopment, they must be followed.

Transferring a bathroom or extending it to a living space can only be done if there is no other apartment on the floor below you, but there are offices, shops, basements, and so on. nine0019

1.3. Re-planning of a bathroom - coordination under the project.

Redevelopment of a bathroom with an extension due to the corridor - permission (clause 1.9).

Any change in the location of the bathroom or toilet partitions is considered a redevelopment of wet areas and requires obtaining the appropriate redevelopment project permit. This requirement is given in paragraph 2.2.1 of App. No. 1 to the Post-tion of the Government of Moscow No. 508. The redevelopment project must be ordered from the design bureau, which has the necessary SRO approval (permit) for its implementation. nine0019

1.4. Waterproofing of wet areas.

Firstly, according to SNiP "Floors" the floors of all wet rooms must be made with a waterproofing device. The material and the presence of waterproofing must be prescribed in the redevelopment project. Its implementation is confirmed at the acceptance of the redevelopment by an act for hidden work, filled in by the designer and contractor. You can read more about these acts here.

Secondly, the repair of the bathroom with redevelopment must be done in such a way that at the entrance to it there is a door sill that will not allow water to leak out when it leaks into neighboring rooms. The height of such a threshold should be at least 15-20 mm. Instead of a threshold, it is allowed to make the floor level in wet rooms lower than the floor of neighboring rooms to the same height. nine0019

Of course, it is extremely rare for any of the owners to fulfill these requirements so as not to stumble over the threshold or floor step. However, recently the inspectors of the Housing Inspection began to find fault and pay attention to this much more often, and therefore we recommend that you still install the threshold. In practice, we had a case when the owner of the apartment, after dismantling the threshold, had a water leak in the bathroom. She leaked out of it into the next room, so I had to redo my repair and the repair of the neighbors below in much larger volumes than if it had stopped due to the threshold within the bathroom. The owner himself admitted to us that now he regrets that he did not leave this threshold. Another way to prevent the occurrence of such situations is to install a water leakage control system that shuts off its supply in the event of a leak. Now they have become quite affordable. nine0053
Video comment:
Expansion of wet areas now requires project approval in accordance with a separate paragraph 2.2.1 of Annex 1 to Moscow Government Decree No. 508, which is also valid in 2023, and not due to a change in floor construction, as it is it was earlier before the introduction of Decrees of the Government of Moscow No. 1104 of December 29, 2017. No. 1572 dated 12/17/2018 and No. 1335 dated 08/19/2020.

The exit device from the wet zone to the room or kitchen is now legal, since SanPiN, which previously prohibited this, was canceled from 03/01/2021. nine0056

1.5. Redevelopment of the bathroom in the apartment - the location of the entrance.

A bathroom or a wet area with a toilet bowl used to be designed so that the entrance to it was from a corridor or non-residential premises. Now this requirement has been canceled by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1631, and therefore the exit from the room with the toilet can also be done into the kitchen and into the room.

True, it's probably not very pleasant to eat in the kitchen when someone enters it directly from the bathroom. I'm not talking about smells. But it already depends on the wishes of the owners. From a legal point of view, the main thing is that it is allowed. nine0019

At the end of the article, we will come up with several coordinated redevelopments of bathrooms and wet areas. We also advise you to read the article on the design of redevelopment.

2. Legalized redevelopment of the bathroom

2.1. Redevelopment - expansion of the bathroom.

Before renovation.

After renovation.

These photos show a fairly typical redevelopment of bathrooms. Both bathrooms were expanded due to the corridor. At the same time, the entrance to the kitchen was provided from the room. Thus, it was possible to obtain quite spacious bathrooms by modern standards due to the less usable area of ​​​​the corridor. nine0053

2.2. Remodeling of a bathroom in a panel house.

Before redevelopment.

After redevelopment.

Above is another redevelopment of an apartment with an impact on the bathroom in a panel house of the KOPE series. Here, too, the wet zones were expanded with a corridor, and the entrance to the kitchen was made from the living quarters. There was enough space in the corridor to complete the bathrooms, although not very spacious, but still separate.

2.3. Redevelopment of a bathroom in Khrushchev. nine0017

Before conversion.

After reconstruction.

In Khrushchev, the most common type of impact on wet areas is to increase the bathroom due to the corridor leading to the kitchen. In Khrushchev, unlike panel houses, the wall between the kitchen and the living room is almost always non-bearing, and therefore it can be completely dismantled. True, if the stove is gas, then sliding doors must be installed in place of this partition.

2.4. Relocation of a bathroom. nine0017

Before redevelopment.

After redevelopment.

In this case, the bathroom was moved to the corridor. More precisely, we can say that due to the area of ​​​​the corridor, a second guest bathroom was arranged, while in the dimensions of the former wet areas it was possible to make one large one.

2.5. Remodeling of a bathroom in a new building.

Before renovation.

After renovation.

Despite the fact that in modern new buildings the areas of bathrooms, as a rule, significantly exceed the areas of bathrooms in prefabricated houses and Khrushchevs, they are also quite often expanded. In this example, two bathrooms were combined and expanded due to the corridor area. The result of this redevelopment is a very spacious and comfortable bathroom. nine0019

Bathroom shower cubicle – a versatile solution for large and small spaces

Opting for a glass shower cubicle instead of a bathtub, you automatically choose a dynamic lifestyle and ergonomic interior design.

If comfort and convenience play an important role for you, buy shower enclosure is the right decision.

The modern construction market presents several options for installing shower enclosures. You can buy ready-made solutions, or build a structure taking into account the size, design solutions of the bathroom and personal needs. Unlike the installation of ready-made solutions, the production of custom-made shower enclosures opens up more opportunities in terms of constructive and stylistic options for decorating the space. nine0019

Shower cubicles from the manufacturer

Glassstroy is a leader in the manufacture of translucent structures. Having extensive experience, the company's specialists will produce the most rational solution for the client's premises. The range of ready-made solutions for shower cabins in various sizes and styles. If necessary, the company's specialists will individually develop a project, taking into account the design features of the premises, the wishes and budget of the client. Ready-made solutions have high strength, reliability, safety and good technical properties. nine0019

In its work, Glassstroy uses innovative materials and the latest technical achievements in this field. Production is carried out from high-quality and safe materials, which have previously undergone special processing to increase strength and reliability. Cabins are easy to use and easy to maintain. If properly installed, they will last for decades.

Glass booths look profitable, stylish and attractive. They take up little space, fit perfectly into the spacious and small rooms of city apartments and houses. This is an ideal choice for small spaces, as it takes up minimal space. Cabins are also popular in spacious rooms. In the conditions of an intensive rhythm of life, they have become an indispensable attribute of bathrooms. nine0019

Glass cabinets are the perfect match for modern bathroom designs. Translucent filling makes the room brighter and warmer. If necessary, you can install models with opaque filling. Modern glass design options allow you to implement various design ideas in the interior.

Shower enclosures

Shower enclosures are popular in residential and commercial spaces. With their help, you can solve various problems. Depending on the place and purpose, models with transparent or tinted glass are installed. nine0019

In the design of modern apartments and houses, cabins are often used to save space. Many apartments and houses cannot boast of spacious bathrooms. Replacing a traditional bathtub with a shower stall saves space in the room for other purposes, for example, installing a washing machine, furniture, and plumbing fixtures.

In spacious rooms, shower cubicles are installed together with a bathtub in case you want a quick rinse. Cabins are also popular in the country, where there is often no place to install a full-fledged bath. nine0019

Small shower cubicles are popular in hotels, as they allow many other sanitary fixtures to be placed in a relatively small area. Models that are designed for one person are installed in swimming pools, in sports complexes and in many other public institutions. In this case, opaque glass is used for filling. To do this, use modern techniques of tinting and darkening the color.

Glass shower cubicles - designs

Modern shower enclosures can be purchased in various types. Among the design options, it is worth highlighting the following models:

1.

Square cabin models

Such products are often installed in the corner of the room. Can be installed against the wall or separately as an island.

2.

Rectangular cab models

The most popular design option due to its versatility.

3.

Semi-circular models

This solution is popular for corner installations. Due to their unusual shape, such models save space.

4.

Pentagonal models

Technically complex products. Most often, pentagonal structures are installed in private homes and spacious bathrooms. nine0019

The cost of a shower enclosure largely depends on the complexity of the design, the amount of materials used for manufacturing, the quality and quantity of fittings.

Shower cubicles for small spaces

If your bathroom is small, don't despair. Modern plumbing allows you to most harmoniously equip rooms even of very modest sizes, using innovative technological solutions. nine0019

Shower cubicles are an excellent solution for rooms with limited living space. Modern manufacturers present a large selection of models for these purposes. Harmoniously equipping a small bathroom is no longer a problem.

When choosing a booth for a small room, first of all, you should decide on the overall dimensions of the structure.

For small spaces, a booth with dimensions of 90x90 cm will be a good choice. The product itself can be of any shape - square, round, pentagonal. nine0019

For those who want to save as much square meters as possible, you should prefer models with dimensions of 80x80 cm. The compactness and convenience of such models will allow you to gain space for other purposes, for example, for installing appliances and plumbing.

Models with dimensions 80x90 are suitable for non-standard solutions. Asymmetrical booths are most often used in rooms where additional elements need to be installed.

For the smallest rooms, you can use booths with dimensions of 70x70 cm. There are also models that have dimensions of 60x60 cm. But this solution is used in the rarest cases. Another option for organizing a booth is to install a sliding door in a niche, when the walls of the room act as the walls of the booth. nine0019

Modern manufacturers provide ample opportunities in the design of shower cubicles. Such products are assembled from individual elements, which allows you to create a design of any size.

Design features of shower enclosures

There are many design options for shower enclosures. Among them:

  • open;
  • closed;
  • combined models.

Open models do not have a ceiling. The walls of the room can act as separate partitions. Closed models are presented in the form of boxes. They are closed on all sides, have good noise and vapor barrier. Combined products are a shower stall in which a bathtub acts as a pallet. As an additional functionality, hydromassage, jacuzzi can be used. nine0019

In fact, there are a lot of design options for shower enclosures. Modern technological solutions make it possible to advantageously fit products into rooms of various shapes and designs.

Shower cubicles without a tray

Shower cubicles without a tray are called non-threshold. A distinctive feature of such structures is the installation on the same level with the floor. This is a popular solution for rooms where there is not enough free space.

Cabins without a pallet are rapidly gaining popularity. The demand for these products is growing daily. They attract with their aesthetics, ergonomics and minimalism. nine0019

Modern shower enclosures without tray are distinguished by the following features:

Modern models allow you to implement bold design solutions even in very modest rooms.

2.

Practicality

Another strong argument in favor of such designs. Cabins are not afraid of excessive humidity, temperature changes. On glass models, fungus does not start, and rust does not appear. nine0019

3.

Availability

An important argument in favor of a shower enclosure without a tray is low cost and ease of maintenance.

4.

Safety

The absence of a threshold significantly reduces the risk of injury. Plumbing is convenient to use for everyone - for adults and children, the elderly and those whose physical abilities are limited for certain reasons. nine0019

5.

Conciseness

Style, concise design - a significant plus in favor of thresholdless shower enclosures. Translucent models without a threshold look fresh and modern.

Thresholdless shower cabins visually correct the space of the room, bring light, space, lightness into it, push the boundaries of the room, make the room visually larger.

Some details of installing shower enclosures

If you decide to install a glass cubicle in your bathroom, you need to take into account the following nuances: Mistakes in this matter are unacceptable, as this may result in flooding of neighbors. The throughput of the ladder deserves attention - the water must leave in a timely manner and not stagnate. Water left on the floor can cause an unpleasant smell. All these nuances should be considered at the initial stage of installation. nine0004

  • To install the drain, you will have to raise the floor, since all communication systems are mounted under it.
  • When installing a shower cubicle, make sure that the floor is waterproofed. If the walls of the room will act as the walls of the booth, it is worth considering their waterproofing, otherwise fungus may appear from the water over time.

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