Bathroom Waterproofing Keeps Leaks at Bay

An Insight into the Benefits of Bathroom Waterproofing

Bathroom waterproofing is one solution to leaking water because it is easier and cheaper than renovating the bathroom. Waterproofing is an interesting term. Clearly it deals with "water" but what is meant by "proofing"? It means to make it "impenetrable, impervious, or invulnerable" according to http://dictionary.reference.com.

Impenetrable by water is a good working description. In reality bathroom waterproofing means having a barrier between the water source - like the shower, bath or basin in a bathroom - and where you don't want the water to go - such as onto the floor, or into a wall cavity or through the ceiling if the bathroom is upstairs.

Water Barriers

The barriers to stop water come in many different types. For example, on a ship, the hull is the barrier with the joins welded together. Other gaps are often sealed by doors etc. Smaller gaps can be sealed by rubber O rings or similar types of products. In the bathroom, the main barrier is the floor. It should be made of water impervious material. Governments have different rules or standards governing the waterproofing layer. One example of a standard is AS 3740-1994 which states in part:

"Waterproofing of Wet Areas in Residential Buildings" requires that the following areas within a bathroom must be waterproofed:

• Full floor within the shower recess including down into the waste or if the shower is not enclosed, within 1.5 meters horizontally from a point vertically below the shower fitting
• If the shower is enclosed, minimum 100mm over the hob or step-down onto the bathroom floor
• If the shower is enclosed and exposed to a shower fitting to a height 1.8 meters above the floor or to a height no less than 150mm above the shower rose if it is within 75mm of the wall
• Immediately behind a bath, trough, sink or similar fixture

Renovating versus Waterproofing

Over time, bathroom waterproofing fails and water starts leaking from the shower. It could leak from the shower or from around the bath or through the tiles. Wherever the leaks are, you have 2 possible solutions:

1. Renovate the bathroom or part thereof such as the shower recess; or

2. Waterproof the leaking area.

The decision will depend upon the amount of damage cased by the water leak or could soon be caused by the leaks and your budget. Minor leaks require just bathroom waterproofing as the solution. Major leaks may require full renovation, although this is expensive. However, even with major leaks, in many cases bathroom waterproofing could still be a cost effective solution. Leaking showers have specific problems and could be addressed as a separate item.

Read More about how Bathroom Waterproofing Materials Keep Moisture Out

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