The humidity in the bathroom is high, so it is important to protect the tiles and walls against water penetration into their structure. Correctly performed insulation will significantly minimize the risk of fungus developing on the walls and will also protect the floor in the event of flooding. To protect the interior against the harmful effects of moisture, good quality insulating coatings must be used. What exactly is bathroom waterproofing and when is it worth doing?
What is waterproofing and when do we use it?
Bathroom waterproofing involves protecting the floor, walls and ceilings against water. It is usually performed in the areas around the bathtub, shower cabin and washbasin, because these surfaces are most vulnerable to accidental flooding. Well-placed tiles create a tight layer, but water can still penetrate through small cracks and defects in their structure. Moisture accumulated under the tiles will, in the long run, lead to the growth of bacteria and fungi, and may also damage the tiles and cause them to lift or deform.
Waterproofing the bathroom should be carried out at the stage of interior finishing, before you lay the tiles. To achieve a satisfactory effect, it is worth spreading the preparation on:
- entire floor area,
- walls, taking into account margins around wet areas,
- joints, wall corners, contacts between cladding and other materials,
- joints,
- places where the installation passes through walls and ceilings,
- around places exposed to constant contact with water.
Waterproofing should be performed on a dry surface. Its drying time will depend on the materials used and may range from 1.5 hours to a maximum of several hours.
Waterproof surfaces in the bathroom
Insulation of wet areas in the bathroom is necessary to ensure comfort and safety for household members. If you protect the tiles well, water will collect on their surface and you can easily remove it using a regular cloth. Thanks to waterproofing, finishing materials will not lose their properties over the years, which will save you money on future renovations. The waterproof surface will protect your bathroom against the dangerous effects of flooding and will make it much easier to keep the room clean. Correctly performed waterproofing also has a positive effect on air circulation in the room. As a result, there will always be a pleasant smell in the bathroom.
Products necessary for waterproofing
Insulation of wet areas in the bathroom is necessary to ensure comfort and safety for household members. If you protect the tiles well, water will collect on their surface and you can easily remove it using a regular cloth. Thanks to waterproofing, finishing materials will not lose their properties over the years, which will save you money on future renovations. The waterproof surface will protect your bathroom against the dangerous effects of flooding and will make it much easier to keep the room clean. Correctly performed waterproofing also has a positive effect on air circulation in the room. As a result, there will always be a pleasant smell in the bathroom.
Products necessary for waterproofing
To waterproof a bathroom, you need to use proven products with good insulating properties. Currently, a very popular solution is the use of a special liquid foil that is applied to the surface of floors and walls. This liquid mass is very flexible and creates an extremely compact coating. You can easily apply liquid foil using a regular roller or paint brush. A thin layer of mass protects the surface against moisture and water, and at the same time is vapor permeable, which allows proper air circulation in the room.
If your bathroom has underfloor heating, you must choose a product resistant to high temperatures for waterproofing. Soudal products will work very well for this purpose, and are available at the Onninen wholesaler at very good prices. In addition to liquid foil, it is also worth choosing Soudal natural sanitary silicone . You can conveniently use it to seal around the bathtub, shower tray and washbasin because it has strong bactericidal and fungicidal properties and is colorless. If you need to cover a larger surface, you will also need a special silicone gun or spatula. The Onninen wholesale offer also includes foams, sealants and many other products that will help you effectively waterproof your bathroom.
Good quality products will provide you with a high level of waterproofness. However, it is important to use them in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and with appropriate precautions. Remember that the bathroom waterproofing must be done before laying the tiles, and the layer used should be of appropriate thickness to effectively protect the surface against excess moisture.