Bath Waterproofing: Types, Technology

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• What is waterproofing for?
• Types of waterproofing
• How to prepare a base for waterproofing
• Bathroom self-waterproofing process
• DIY roll waterproofing
• Arrangement of coating waterproofing with your own hands

Moisture is an integral part of the bathroom. If you do not take measures to combat it, then soon it will penetrate into all cracks and crevices and begin to spoil the floor materials used in multi-storey buildings. Ventilation only partially helps to protect the room from moisture, but globally only properly equipped waterproofing in the bathroom will solve this problem.

What is waterproofing for?

The bathroom is always at risk of being filled with water. Such an unpleasant event can entail not only damage to plumbing fixtures, finishing materials, contribute to the formation of mold, but also fly out in a round sum to neighbors located on the floor below. The bathroom is overflowing with water and plumbing fixtures that can malfunction. To insure yourself and your apartment against such risks, you need to consider waterproofing the premises.

Of course, it will not save you from flooding, but it will help prevent moisture or a small amount of water from getting through the floor. To protect yourself from damage to the ceiling by neighbors from above, you can also equip waterproofing on it. Wall insulation is also important: this protection will prevent the appearance of mold and mildew, which are very difficult to remove over time, and will also keep the finishing materials in their original form. A plus in waterproofing walls can also be considered the prevention of the appearance of cracks that form under prolonged exposure to dampness.

It is necessary to equip the bathroom with waterproofing during the renovation, when the finishing materials have not yet been applied.

Types of waterproofing

Today there are several types of waterproofing materials: roll, coating, special waterproof plasters and paints, as well as rubber-based chemical compounds. The first two options are the most widely used.

• Roll waterproofing. As the name implies, such an insulation material is a roll with a special coating that will prevent moisture from entering the floor. Roll waterproofing can be glued and guided. The first type of bathroom insulation, in addition to protective materials, includes an adhesive layer, which is subsequently laid on the surface. Such waterproofing implies accuracy and lack of haste in work, because the coating must initially lie flat in order to continue to perform its function.

  

Roll-type directional insulation involves the use of a gas burner to install the covering. It is based on fiberglass, and on the inside - bitumen and a protective film. When exposed to high temperatures, the film melts, and the bitumen becomes soft, as a result of which the coating adheres to the surface. The advantage of this method is the flooring of a kind of waterproofing carpet, which fits tightly to the floor or walls, and you can be sure of the reliability of gluing. The disadvantage of this method is the use of a special tool.

• Waterproofing coating. This type implies a special mass that is applied to the surface, after which it forms a moisture-protective layer, filling all cracks and micropores with the substance. In its composition, the coating mixture can contain bitumen, cement or polymer substances. Such waterproofing is perfect for baths with a non-standard room shape, since it can be used even in the most inaccessible places. The disadvantages of this method are the unpleasant smell of materials and poor resistance to temperature changes.

  

• Waterproofing with plaster. Well-known manufacturers offer special plasters based on polymers that protect against moisture. The prepared solutions are applied to the surface, first in the forward direction, and then in the perpendicular direction. For better protection, professionals suggest applying such plasters in several layers.

  

• Special impregnating compounds. Such mixtures contain bitumen, water glass or polymers. They are applied directly to the prepared surface, impregnating and strengthening it.

Choose exactly the waterproofing that is suitable for the bathroom in all respects.

How to prepare a base for waterproofing

There are special places in the bathroom that require increased protection. Even if the insulation will not pass over all surfaces: walls, floor and ceiling, special attention should be paid to these places:

• Floor and walls below. The most favorite spots for moisture seepage are these places, in particular about 20 cm of the wall up from the floor. When laying waterproofing, do not miss this place and carefully treat it to avoid the appearance of mold and mildew;
• The wall surface surrounding each plumbing fixture. As you know, near the toilet, sink and bathroom, namely, where the water pipes run, condensation constantly accumulates. There is also a considerable risk of an emergency with pipes, so you should not neglect these places and also waterproof them well.

Of course, if money and time permit, it is better to perform waterproofing around the entire perimeter of the bathroom.

Regardless of which method of waterproofing was chosen, initially you need to prepare the surface for processing. This process takes place in several stages:

1. Most likely, the bathroom is waterproofed during the renovation in this room, so the first step will be to completely remove the old coating from the floor, walls and ceiling (if required);
2. After removing the coating, carefully scrape off even the smallest remnants of tile adhesive or other substances on which the old finishing material was fixed;
3. Clear the room from dust and dirt, take out all debris. If necessary, wipe all surfaces with a slightly damp cloth;
4. Find all the cracks and crevices on the floor and walls and eliminate them, that is, cover them with a solution;
5. To treat surfaces with a primer: for this it is worth diluting the soil with water in the ratio indicated on the package. Apply the primer with a wide bristle brush and wait until dry. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated;
6. Next, you need to fill in the concrete screed. For this, there are special mixtures that are diluted with water to a dense density, after which they are poured onto the floor and leveled;

7. After the screed has dried, apply a layer of primer.

   

The surface is now ready for further waterproofing.

Bathroom self-waterproofing process

After preparing the surface, it is worth moving on to the stage of applying waterproofing. Since the main types that are common today are roll and coating, it is necessary to consider the sequence of performing an independent arrangement of waterproofing in the bathroom.

DIY roll waterproofing

In order to independently lay the pasting roll waterproofing, you will need: a sharp construction knife, a means for gluing waterproofing (not necessary if the roll is already impregnated with an adhesive base) and the roll of insulating material itself.

The sequence of work performed looks like this:

1. The prepared surface is covered with a special bitumen impregnation, which provides better adhesion of the waterproofing to the floor;
2. The rolled material is pre-laid out on the surface, cut into strips of the required length. When trimming, it is important to leave a margin of about 15 cm on each side;
3. The cut pieces are laid out on the floor with an overlap, while leaving no gaps without material. Also, there should be no gaps at the joints between the wall and the floor. The joints are treated with a sealant, and the edges are rolled with a roller for better bonding with bitumen impregnation;
4. If you decide to pour the screed on top of the waterproofing, and not before it, then at this stage, you need to do some work to complete this task;
5. After drying, the surface can be tiled or other finishing materials.

6. Do not forget that in the places where the waterproofing meets the pipes, you must first seal the pipes with rubber seals.

   

Arrangement of coating waterproofing with your own hands

When choosing a coating method, use only waterproofing that prevents mold and mildew. Both ready-made masses and dry powders are on sale, which must be diluted with water.

The step-by-step order of work looks like this:

1. Clean the prepared surface from dust, dirt and debris and treat with soil;
2. Where the pipes must come into contact with the insulation, special rubber bands are put on;
3. The joints of the walls and floor, as well as the corners, are glued with a special sealed tape;
4. In a bucket or large container, dilute the mixture using a construction mixer according to the instructions;
5. The mixture is applied to the surface and left to dry completely. Then the composition is applied one more time and also dried.
6. After complete drying, it is allowed to carry out finishing work.

For ease of application, it is better to use a roller or a wide brush, and also work with rubber gloves to avoid getting the substance on your hands.

Do not neglect waterproofing in the bathroom, because this simple process can be done with high quality and inexpensively with your own hands, and in the future the bath will be protected from the damaging effects of humidity.