When the word bathroom comes to mind, one can always visualise water because how can you take a bath or shower without it, right?
With the exposure of the bathroom to moisture, you will need our bathroom waterproofing in Brisbane and Gold Coast. With us, you won’t have to worry about moisture and humidity causing damage to your property.
If you want to learn more about this service, read on.
Let’s Begin with the Building Code of Australia…
To ensure the quality of work and the safety of the occupants, waterproofing experts who provide such services need to adhere to the Australian Standards (AS 3740-2010). The building code specifies that:
- Shower rooms must be waterproofed in their entirety—including the shower floors and walls. Furthermore, the waterproofing of the walls must have a height of at least 1,800 mm.
- Another standard you should take note of for showers is having the hob or step down from the shower to the floor waterproofed at least 100 mm in height.
- For bathroom walls, its waterproofing should cover at least 150 mm of the wall’s height.
- Bathrooms not located on the ground floor must have waterproofing systems for the entire bathroom floor.
- Bathroom floors with wood of any kind must also have the entire surface waterproofed.
Adhering to these standards will bring peace of mind to the dwellers knowing that they have taken preventive measures to protect their health and general welfare. And because we offer bathroom waterproofing in Brisbane and Gold Coast, where these standards apply, we guarantee that our processes follow Australia’s building code.
The Bathroom Waterproofing Process
Bathroom waterproofing can be a complex process. Moreover, different service providers may follow different procedures, depending on what works best according to their evaluation. Generally, though, this is how it goes:
Step 1: Cleaning the Bathroom Floor
Adhesion-reducing substances, such as dust, grease, and acid, will eat up more time during the waterproofing process than it should. That is why it is important to clean the bathroom floor and ensure it is spotless. You can use a broom, vacuum cleaner, or any equipment you need for this process.
Step 2: Applying the First Layer
The first layer you should apply on the bathroom surface is primer. The substance of a primer helps improve the consistency of the bathroom floor and walls, which the waterproofing membrane to have a stronger bond when applied.
In doing so, we recommend starting with the walls’ back portion and then working on the entire bathroom floor. You can also apply it using a paintbrush or roller.
Step 3: Filling in the Gaps
This is what we’re trying to avoid when waterproofing—gaps. To seal them shut, apply silicone to all the openings you find, but always make sure that the primer is already dry before proceeding with this step. If you’re working on a bathroom renovation, see that you remove the old silicone.
Step 4: Preparing the Surfaces
The next step will be taping the lines on the walls. This way, you’ll know that the waterproofing project will have straight edges and not messy lines. It’s the same thing when painting. When setting the line, always remember the standard height by the Building Code of Australia.
Now that you’ve drawn the line between where to apply the waterproofing substances and where not to, it’s time to apply the waterproofing agent. Start at the back portion of the walls, like how you did it when working on the primer.
Step 5: Applying the Waterproofing Membrane
Then, apply the waterproofing membrane to the joints and surfaces. The waterproofing membrane is a material that is impenetrable to water. It usually comes in rolls, which you have to spread out and lay on the floor. If you’re using the sheet membrane, pin it down with the waterproofing agent. In this step, check if the gaps are covered before proceeding.
Step 6: Covering the Rest of the Floor
Lastly, finish covering the bathroom floors with the waterproofing agent and let them dry. Once it’s dry, apply a second coat, and you’re done! You can already proceed with the tiling.
Why DIY When You Can Give Superior Waterproofing a Try?
Some people like to do DIY projects at home, thinking that it is cheaper and much more efficient. But if you’re not an expert on a particular project, it will definitely cost you more in the long run with all the repairs or redos. Moreover, you also need to have a better understanding and knowledge of the materials to use for bathroom waterproofing.
It is also essential to remember that the list of the Australian Building Code may be more comprehensive and complex in different states. But if you’re working with an expert like us, that’s one thing you can tick off your list of worries.
So, if you need bathroom waterproofing in Brisbane and Gold Coast, call us now at +61468760750 to know more.