Van Build Shower: Lining the Shower and Water Proofing

In this van build video, we tackle lining the shower frame with plywood, which really is not easy, you will see us struggling!! lol We also use everbuild tanking to waterproof the whole inside of the shower in preparation for the PVC lining. Overall though we are super pleased with how it turned out.
Come with us as we figure it out and leave any tips or comments for us - it always helps!
Fancy helping us out with a coffee? :)
www.buymeacoff...
Products we've used:
Lining paper (for templating) - amzn.to/44tR9fn
Sealant Finishing Tools - amzn.to/3NHE4Jr
Everbuild Aquaseal Tanking Kit - amzn.to/3HGe65n
Everbuild Additional Tanking Tape - amzn.to/3HHn16H
Gripfill - amzn.to/3p9p1hw
Heavy Duty Velcro - amzn.to/3LB5MVM
Bed Slats - LURÖY, Slatted bed base, Standard Double - IKEA
Scribing tool - amzn.to/3VEnxYA
Tools we use:
Dewalt Router Kit - amzn.to/3pau3dM
Dewalt Power tool Kit - amzn.to/3nlZelc
Dewalt Jigsaw - amzn.to/4265SLT
Dewalt Circular Saw - amzn.to/41o0CCt
About Us
Welcome to Life Adventure Projects, we’re Andy and Sophie and last year we made the decision to work on changing our lives for the better. We’d grown tired and weary of the rat race, only living for the weekend or looking forward to a holiday once a year, so we made a plan to start working on projects to improve our lives.
Head over to Instagram and stay up to date / lifeadventureprojects
Watch the whole van conversion playlist here: • Van Conversion
Click here to SUBSCRIBE and follow along with our life projects (it won’t cost you anything!): www.youtube.co...
Or check out these videos for more of our adventures:
The start of the conversion: • We Bought our First Va...

[@Bugs1953]

Don’t get stressed by what people say they all think they’re experts you carry on what you’re doind😊👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

🙌🙌 thank you so much!!

[@petewarby7158]

All the cutting, it possibly didn't help your mood as you seem to have to walk a fair way between the van and the garage. Great to see you actually going that thought rather than a magic click of the fingers to see a finished shower. I can't believe folk whinge about moy looking at the camera, lol, honestly, some folk complain about ANYTHING. Loving the build series still though, i really look forward to these, thank you both :)

[@johnshaw4140]

Yayyyyyyyyyyyy , jolly well done, meouw

[@lifeadventureprojects]

🙌🙌❤️

[@Simon_PieMan]

Great progress. You’re getting there!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

It is certainly shaping up, need more time! Haha

[@artzi_ip]

finally a new episode.. ! 👌

[@lifeadventureprojects]

❤️❤️👏

[@markelgar8763]

Just finished watching. Lots of work there. Looking forward to seeing what comes next. Remember not to burn out again! xx

[@lifeadventureprojects]

No we won’t, were making sure to try and take some breaks and go out and do stuff too! Xxxx

[@CiaranTravels]

hard work pays off guys! its looking great!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Ciaran! It’s starting to which is really exciting!

[@Witteringtrucker]

People don't understand how much time and effort filming, editing etc takes. I work 65+ hrs week, plus filming and building out my own van. It almost broke me. Quality in your videos is far more important than quantity. Your journey so far has ben brilliant to watch and, I for one, cannot wait to see where this journey takes you.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Morticia, it really is a lot of work isn’t it! We are certainly slowing down for a bit and going to focus on the van and just capture the journey at our own pace. We will pick it up more as things ease up. Thanks so much for watching!

[@michaelskillington9298]

I am happy to see the total effort it needs to build of the shower. Rather than the standard over edited videos that are all over KZbin. The style of videos you make represent who you two are. So that is just fine. Look into any part of the camera you want.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Michael, super kind of you! Glad you are with us on the journey. Comments like this very much make it worth it.

[@kbro6625]

Another great video, you’ll be going away in no time. ❤

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thank you! 🙌

[@PATLIGHT1000]

Hi Guys, Love watching/waiting for your new vlogs. Only 1 tip I can give you is "Move your van closer to your garage" !! Lol. Keep up the good work.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Patrick! Thanks so much for watching and leaving us a comment! Haha I wish we could! It’s just not possible where we are at the moment but fingers crossed that won’t be a problem soon!

[@paulmcdonnell9734]

Great video guys , keep it coming

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Paul - really glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hope you’re having a good weekend!

[@terrypagett314]

Hi both we have missed you. You are doing a great job with the van. Me and the wife love your videos. Keep on with the good work can’t wait for the next update. Be careful with your tools. 👍👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Terry (and wife!), thank you so much, so glad to hear you’re both enjoying the videos, it makes us so happy! We will be careful, thank you, always fun figuring out how to use new ones (like the router!). Hope you’re both having a lovely weekend 💛

[@terrypagett314]

Thanks Andy. By the way don’t forget to put a fall into the shower floor. So the water runs into trap ❤

[@jonfenwick6200]

OK, where do I start?? Yes I did enjoy, always do. Sophie using the drill with the tounge out was fun. Nice to see the goggles again on Andy. To be fair to you , cutting ply , scribing in a van too, is a really tough gig. So well done there. Nice job. Tanking looks superb. That's what I call the " thou shall not leak" technique. So well done there too. Small concerns re; shower waste. But, it could work. We'll see I guess. But, as a professional I'll say, you might have issues there. Creating your own wet room floor(Normally, sloping) is another tough gig, but can be done. Usually, we'll fit a special, pre-formed base/tray etc. But, I have created ones myself from scratch. Good luck with the rest of the build guys. Love watching you. Jon

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Jon, nice to see you hear, glad you enjoyed as always! Hahaha the tongue out means proper concentration 🤣 yeah scribing was harder than we thought but think we got there in the end. You’re spot on with the floor, we’ve been thinking about it and may be making some changes - sometimes it’s not obvious until someone points it out! Will figure out what to do and share in the next one. Thanks again!

[@karenmiller6088]

Andy, you're not rubbish at all this. You are attempting to learn a craft as you go. Most people would be scared to death to attempt such a task much less record and share the journey. I'm so inspired by your videos. Never forget that nothing worthwhile comes easily. Enjoy the journey... you both are making the best of memories ❤

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Karen, super kind words. ❤️ Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

[@omarhanif1292]

Just started watching the van build and loving it. keep up the good work 👏

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Omar. So glad to have you with us! ❤️🙌🏻

[@viv-i-vangoesforth]

converting a van is hard work. Building a shower room is even harder. You did a fantastic job of the framing, boxing in and tanking. I watched every second and enjoyed them. Fab work both of you. Bessy regs- Kenny

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Ah thanks so much Kenny, really means a lot to get such nice comments! Thank you, we really appreciate it, it keeps us going when things get tough! Hope you’re doing well and having a lovely weekend 😊

[@paulrobinson5587]

Great job guys

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Paul!

[@paulrobinson5587]

It’s seems you were a bit of a diy novice when you started the build and your a bit of a perfectionist 👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

100% that mate, no idea what we were doing but now, oddly, have a little bit of an idea 😂

[@lisac0927]

Yay, we finally have a video. Even though it was 38 minutes long, it still didn't seem like enough time. Lee and I have only just watched it as I came home from work last night and felt like crap, so I went to bed. Anyway, I just want to say that the way you do things in the van is exactly how we are. (But with a lot more swear words 😂) You show everyone how it really is. We didn't realise how difficult building a van was. I mean, carpeting the walls is a nightmare. Andy, you are just like Lee when measuring things out. You had us both laughing when you were trying to put the walls up in the shower. Lee would have been swearing like a sailor!!! Can I just say MONTHLY videos!!! Lee and I were like WHAT 😳 at the TV. But we understand 😢. So glad to you both are well. Take care. (Sorry this was long winded, I could just go on and on) See you in the next one ❤

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Lisa, I have to say it but between you and Lee what awesome and motivational comments you both bring. Thanks for positivity and humour! ❤️❤️

[@user-mb2uj6wu3o]

This i s a bit late but might help you in the future, for making odd shaped panels it's best to make a template from thin ply, make up four strips that follow the outline you need and use two fixings (diagonally) in the corners to keep it rigid, it should end up looking like a door frame without the infill. Then transfer onto a sheet of ply and cut out, it should go straight in, if not get a block plane and shave the bits that need it. I'm a carpenter by the way and that's how I would do it. Good luck!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Great advice! I admire your trade! Thanks so much for watching!

[@md2320]

The shower looks hmmmmm great!!! Just a thought run your pipes and shower stuff so you know where it's going to sit. Loved the lucky light trick 👍 record everything useful tool to go back to. Don't have to show the world.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks bud, totally agree! Sadly so much is on luck!

[@md2320]

@@lifeadventureprojects life is luck!!! At least you're enjoying it. Doesn't have to be Steven Spielberg's quality video just entertaining. It's your memory vlog we just get to watch it. So many haven't got the balls to do what you're doing. Pat yourselves on the back 👍. Test the shower for water tightness before you move on!!!!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Yeah water test is happening tomorrow, gulp! Totally agree on the memory vlog, that is exactly how we see it too.

[@md2320]

@@lifeadventureprojects Sophie the tanking queen won't let you down💦💧💧🤣😂👍

[@simoncawley6619]

I have been watching you two do your build and it is funny as I am like you but probably worse as I seem to bodgit and scarper. I intend to do a van convert sometime soon. A thought came to mind watching this video. This is not knocking you but I have watch a couple of van builds videos on their travels and something you don't think about. As you love your showers the room will stay wet. I have seen a couple of vans put a deisel heater pipe into the shower room so it dries the room out. It works. Hope it helps. Your doing great with your build

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Simon! It is very rewarding building a home on wheels. As for the wet room, absolutely the plan. We are putting a Truma in and one of the pipes will be fed into the shower to dry it out. We were also thinking about an extractor fan but not fully decided! Thanks so much for watching!

[@welshieonwheels]

Excellent and your right that is the reality’s of DIY when your new to doing certain jobs , that other people do every day . Don’t beat yourself up about anything because some would never attempt it in the first place,Your camera work is great very enjoyable .I’m a sparky , so very used to people not pulling cables through ceilings, but impressed with your extra spare conduit just in case . Well done 👍👍👍 and good luck 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks so much Micky! Glad you enjoyed the video, hopefully they conduit saves some hassle in the future! 😀

[@WagnerGimenes]

Don't apologise for the lack of videos, please. Still loving the progress. I'm nearly convincing myself I can do the same 😇

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Wagner, really appreciate it 🙌🏻 and glad you’re enjoying the videos 😊 yes you definitely can! If we can anyone can, just takes a bit of patience and brain power to figure some bits out!

[@dorsetallsorts]

Great honest video, you guys are so watchable! But I'm surprised by the shower build - I thought Van You-Tubers always bathed in crystal clear lakes wearing tiny white swim suits!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

😂😂😂 ain’t that the truth 😁 haha, we’ll just in case we don’t find any of that we’ve got it ready (nearly) 🙌🏻 thank you, we really appreciate the lovely comment and you taking the time to watch! Hope you’re having a great weekend

[@Hope-bn9xz]

I love how your little kitty was using the wood frame as a scratch post so cute 😍 So happy you both are feeling better , I wasn't too well myself, on the mend now thankfully 😊 The shower is looking great can't wait to see the final look. Glad you both are taking a break ,it's so important to take care your physical and mental health ❤ Love watching your videos I will wait patiently for the next one 😇

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Hope, we always really appreciate your comments. We are taking extra care of our mental wellbeing, very easy to burn out doing all this stuff!

[@Hope-bn9xz]

@@lifeadventureprojects aww bless you both 💖

[@markelgar8763]

Looking good! All progress is good, even slow stuff. Just keep taking it steady - you'll get there! xx

[@leecurry14]

Great to see you both back again, true life adventure building a campervan, nothing is straight forward and easy 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ but when you get it right it's such a great feeling, until the next hurdle 🤣🤣 Lisa and I went out in our van conversion the first time last weekend and found out we had a big leak coming in though a cable gland, 🤣🤣🤣 water coming in like a river 🙄🙄 all part of the learning curve I guess, see you both next time 🤞👍 All the best Lee

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Lee, sorry for the slow replies. Hope you are keeping well? Sorry to hear about the leak, sounds like a nightmare that! We are going to do a water test this week, wish us luck! Eek 😱

[@TheMadSqu]

Great episode! I really appreciate your honesty with showing all the things that don´t go totally smooth. The shower taping looked totally amazing though! But there is one thing I did not understand yet: Is the drain really just a whole in the bottom? Or will there be any grey water piping system underneath? I think for example here in Germany you are not allowed to simply drain grey water into the sewer system (or nature) because of the silicons and other stuff that is in shampoo and soap. I would guess there might be similar regulations for the EU. And obviously there will be all kinds of little critters that will be coming in through a big hole like that. In addition it will be hard to insulate. So if you are camping in the winter your shower would always be quite cold. I wish you all the best for your build and I am looking forward a lot to future episodes. Cheers to you!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey! Thanks so much for your comment and for watching! We will definitely be connecting it up to a grey water tank that will be underneath the van! We definitely wouldn’t just drain it out onto the floor! So a pipe will connect to the drain and then into the tank, just haven’t done that part yet :) glad you’re enjoying the videos 😊💛

[@richpeas1924]

Good to see you back guys 👋 & feeling better. It must be hard work, thinking about what you need to achieve, building it, filming everything & on top of that working as well. But as much as we'd all like a weekly video, don't put pressure on yourselves to try & achieve that, you gotta think of yourself.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Rich, glad you understand. We have just stopped putting pressure on ourselves and that alone has really helped actually. Taking time out for yourself is very easy to do so we just do that! Thanks for continuing to support us! ❤️

[@richpeas1924]

​@@lifeadventureprojects well as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day or was it thier chariots weren't converted into camper vans in a day 😏

[@nforri]

Well done on the shower, you’ve done really well

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks mate!

[@markwhitehead64]

Hi just come across your channel and can I say i really enjoyed watching it nice to see your both getting stuck in and giving it a go really looking forward to seeing more in your next video keep safe 😊👍🏻

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hi Mark, so great to have you here, hello! Thank you so much for letting us know you’ve enjoyed them, it really does make such a difference to hear. We’ve loved the experience and have learnt so much so far, and it has been fun sharing it too! Next one up soon :)

[@daviddring8692]

It looks like you've fixed the bed slats down at both ends. They ideally be free at both ends. At the very least 1 end. The bow in slats is there for it to approx go flat when laying on. It also is more comfortable with it springing. It will be very uncomfortable with a permanent hump.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey David! We have the spring in the wood still, I cut from the ends only to ensure it keeps its bow. However not sure what you mean about being free at both ends? Advice welcome at this point! ❤️

[@marksingleton5176]

Hey guys, Good to see your both better,🎉, welcome back great progress on shower, life’s just super busy so just bring videos out when you can, you guys are breeze to watch and channel progressing just nicely, keep up you’re amazing work take care 🎉🎉🎉

[@lifeadventureprojects]

We love your comments Mark, super positive which is exactly what we need! Thanks again for watching! ❤️

[@marksingleton5176]

@@lifeadventureprojects awww bless us, we’ll you’re doing something amazing which is to better you’re lives, and you’re both fun couple to watch not in a wowed way 😂😂 just it’s a fun channel to watch, have great bank holiday 💙🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@markleader2622]

Glad you're both feeling better. Ray is coming along nicely. I'm mid way through my own conversion and can relate to just how long everything takes. Kudos to you both. You're doing a great job

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Mark, really appreciate it! How long until you are finished do you think?

[@Outlander1963UK]

Im liking the shower cubicle. Great use of space. I thought that I would have to have a cupboard between bed and shower because of the wheel arch. If I was to do it your way, i should have enough space the other end for a bench pull out bed for my daughter. Many thanks for sharing. Look forward for the next video.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Paul! Pull out bench would be amazing, we are looking to do exactly that too!

[@MatthewPye-en5nu]

Your both great at tanking, you must of under taken the task with one another before.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Never done it before, it wasn’t too bad though, actually quite fun to do!

[@MatthewPye-en5nu]

Am very surprised by that, are you a couple?

[@foxystravels]

Cracking job guys, and you’ve put lots of hard work into it. I’m certainly not looking forward to that part of my van lol.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey! Thanks that really means a lot! It has been pretty exciting getting to this stage as it feels like proper building and the structure of the van coming together which is nice. But yeah, not easy!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks ever so much, and don’t worry you got this!

[@foxystravels]

@@lifeadventureprojects Just out of curiosity, what are the internal dimensions of the shower area ? We're scratching our heads deciding how much room we need. We're not big people lol.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

The length is 1050mm, width is 700mm. Obviously you then add in layers of wood, pvc but that only loses a few mm here and there. Overall the size is just about right to use it as a shower and toilet. Hope that helps!

[@foxystravels]

@@lifeadventureprojects Brilliant, thanks for your reply. I'll go and have a measure of what we have taped out on the floor.

[@dtvking]

Great work guys. A real Vlog of how it is, the highs and lows of van building. Im not sure about using Velco on the bed slats. The wood is arched so its designed to move in & out as weight is applied. This could damage the little hock & eyes of the velco with use, and cause the slats to become free in time. You will soon find out when you fall into the garage 🙂 but worth keeping an eye on. Looking forward to the next one, it's another bank holiday weekend!! Good luck

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Mark, yeah Velcro may not be the way to be honest, I am currently rethinking it. Certainly don’t want to be falling into the garage 😂 Thanks so much for watching.

[@kieras13]

I watching you from beginning and you both do a great work well done 👏 We are just starting conversation of the Sprinter

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks very much! Hope the conversion goes really well! It is hard but so worth it!

[@glenbolton]

Sophie worked really hard while Andy just had fun poking in a hole 🤭😜

[@lifeadventureprojects]

😂😂 Life is about having fun!

[@chubbbassett4436]

Hi both, what was the little tool Andy used to make out on the shower looked a good to, l the one with the pencil in it great video keep up the good work 😊

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Chubb, thanks for watching! I have added the link in the description for you, under scribing tool. Super useful tool!

[@chubbbassett4436]

@Life Adventure Projects love your videos, and it's made me do my own van project

[@petewarby7158]

Really long video, yes, but brilliant. Are you thinking of spacing the videos out a little, give yourselves a break from editing? In truth theer videos are really good for us out here to watch so if they're less frequent but a decent length and this quality... youth crack on :))))

[@lifeadventureprojects]

We love you Pete! The positivity is catching! Thanks ever so much for being so supportive and providing feedback. We will try do every couple of weeks but on long jobs like the shower will probably be monthly. We are just trying to release ourselves of the stress from time to time haha

[@markcooper9427]

Can I ask what you did to allow the fall of the water to the drain as I did not see you allow for the water to run off?

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Yeah, just a light sanding to give it some direction but don’t think it will be enough! Think will need to have a think on this if it does not work, or park on a hill and shower lol

[@Rob.1340]

👍🚐😎