Perhaps we can all agree one of the most crucial components of a residential building is the bathroom. But occasionally, it proves to be one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to moisture mitigation. It is because it is consistently exposed to a lot of moisture that it is prone to several problems.
That being said, bathroom waterproofing should be one of your top priorities when considering a home repair project. Installing bathroom tiles without a waterproof coating leads to future structural and health problems with the bathroom.
Taking care of the waterproofing before building inside the bathroom is essential to do before the job is done. In order to make a prepared and comprehensive bathroom waterproofing job, you need to plan beforehand.
Importance of Bathroom Waterproofing
Consider speaking with a knowledgeable waterproofing professional (like us here at Smoky Mountain Systems) before starting any project. There are several contractors offering numerous sorts of waterproofing services, but you must select a reputable company to receive an adequate job that will last.
- Stops water from leaking into adjacent areas of the house
- Boosts the value of your home
- Makes the bathroom atmosphere acceptable
- Prevents leaks from forming
- Low cost of upkeep
Next, let’s understand the importance of waterproofing and the reasons you should invest in it.
Requirements for Waterproofing Basement Bathrooms
The following are some minimal specifications for all residential bathroom waterproofing projects:
- It is necessary to waterproof the bathroom’s whole floor inside the shower area.
- Waterproofing should be done on the walls inside the shower area.
- If the bathroom has wood flooring, particleboard, or plywood, the floor should be waterproofed throughout.
- The bathroom has to be waterproofed if it is on a floor above the first.
What Necessitates Bathroom Waterproofing?
Long-term water leak detection can cause significant harm to the home. Some of the issues one may have if waterproofing is not done are listed below:
- Rise in Damp: This occurs when the water rises against gravity through masonry, such as walls, floors, and ceilings, as a result of capillary action.
- Rotting and warping of the beams: When the primary structural elements like posts, bearers, beams, and joists are destroyed over here, it compromises the structural integrity of the entire home.
- Damaged electrics: There is a great risk of fire and electrocution when water accumulates in the ceilings or drips onto the light fixtures.
- Plumbing corrosion: Rusted pipes may lead to more water leaks, exacerbating the issue.
- Mildew and mold: Asthma and other respiratory issues might be brought on by spore dispersal into the air.
- Cracks: When the reinforced steel in concrete starts to rust, it starts to expand and shift the concrete around it. As a result, the concrete becomes brittle, which damages the building’s base.
How Is A Bathroom Waterproofed?
Although each organization has its own type of waterproofing procedure, everyone adheres to the main phases in the standard process. Below are general ideas of the steps usually taken:
Primary Step
Cleaning the area of debris is the first step before installing the waterproofing system. It is important to take care to completely clean the bathroom and ensure that it is free of any filth, dust, or debris.
Second Step
Applying primer is the next stage in waterproofing a bathroom once it has been thoroughly cleaned. The priming procedure is continued throughout the bottom of the walls and the whole bathroom floor.
Third Step
The next step is to apply silicone to cover the gaps once the primer has fully cured. The parts that need to be sealed must first have all of the old silicone removed. It may be taken off using a Stanley knife, blade, or paint scraper. Following application, the silicone is allowed to dry for at least 24 hours.
Fourth Step
Placing masking tape over the wall comes after the silicone has cured. The waterproofing height is reached by applying this masking tape up to that point. By doing this, a straight edge is produced, aiding in the prevention of paint splashing onto unneeded surfaces.
Fifth Step
Once the aforementioned steps have been properly finished, the waterproofing work must then be finished by applying the waterproofing compound. The waterproofing compound is applied to start from the area’s far-rear corner for an easy and effective application. This may be done all the way up to the height of the wall-attached masking tape.
Sixth Step
The most crucial step is this one. The waterproof membrane is put over here. A good waterproofing system’s membrane is regarded as its most important element. Therefore, it is essential to utilize a premium waterproof membrane.
The sheets of the waterproof membrane are shaped to fit the wall and floor crevices. It must be painted over fully and with no gaps left to be seen before repeating this operation. This process is repeated until all necessary conditions are met.
Last Step
The membrane is good to dry after being properly coated with the waterproofing chemical and checked to make sure there are no gaps. The entire floor is painted when this has cured.
How Durable Is Bathroom Waterproofing?
If used correctly, the majority of store-bought waterproofing products offer a 7-year warranty. Additionally, one’s choice of membrane will affect this. For this reason, if a high-quality waterproofing sheet membrane has been professionally installed, it will last much longer.
Any signs of a bathroom leak include swollen skirting boards, moldy cabinets, ceilings, walls, peeling paint, and discolored wood. However, there are workarounds that are just temporary. An over-the-counter silicone sealant can be used to fix a bathroom leak in the basement. By doing this, it will just affect one bathroom area, which will rapidly get moldy.
Contact Smoky Mountain Crawl Space Systems For More Information
It takes long-term remedies to address moisture problems since it can be so damaging to building materials and is used every day in most homes. Solutions like our exclusive materials and design are manufactured and installed to ensure a maximum lifespan.
Therefore, waterproofing must be installed properly, and it is advised that a reputable and qualified contractor be hired for the job. You can rely on Smoky Mountain Crawl Space Systems for professional assistance with your home’s waterproofing needs. Give us a call today at (865) 299-2315 for more information and to schedule an evaluation of your home.
