Waterproofing your bathroom

So waterproofing is not just sensible, it's also governed by the Building Code and Australian Standards. But how is it done and what do you need to know about it?

We say that waterproofing is sensible, and the reasons for that are made obvious to you almost every time you use the bathroom! If your bathroom is well waterproofed the water can't seep into the structure of the home and damage the wood or even attract pests or mould.

So what are the legal requirements?

  • The entire floor must be waterproofed if not on the ground floor, or made out of timber, plywood or particleboard.
  • The shower floor must be waterproofed fully (including down into the drain).
  • The walls waterproofed to at least 150 mm high
  • Shower walls waterproofed to 1800 mm high
  • Over the hob or step down to the floor waterproofed to 100mm

You might want to waterproof your bathroom to a higher standard than these minimums.

How is waterproofing actually done?

There are many different waterproofing products and applications, most commonly a liquid sealant that is applied like paint in layers. Some waterproofers will also use sheets of waterproofing material under the tiles. The sealant goes on under the tiles, or over the tiles.

However, waterproofing for your shower base can become complex as the waterproofing needs to extend into the drain so over tile waterproofing may not work in this application.

Waterproofing is relatively easy to DIY but it's sometimes necessary to get a professional to do it for council requirements. Waterproofers will usually give a 5 or 10 year warranty, and given the risk of highly expensive damage if your job doesn't hold, it's a good investment to pay a professional.

If you need a waterproofing professional, post your job with us today.

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