Did you know that 34% of property-related insurance claims in Australia are caused by water damage? 

It may sound far-fetched, but even small leaks from your bathroom can lead to serious structural damage, compromising your home over time. When left unaddressed, moisture can seep into tiled walls and floors, leading to mould growth, weakening foundations, and expensive repairs.

Luckily, bathroom tile waterproofing is a perfect solution to eliminate the potential risk of water damage and create a safe, hygienic living environment. In this post, we’ll find out why bathroom waterproofing is crucial, signs to identify water damage in your property and the best way to waterproof your bathroom. Let’s get started.  

Understanding Water Damage in Bathrooms

As good and useful as water may be, it remains one of the greatest threats to a home, especially in water-prone areas like the bathroom and kitchen. While bathroom tiles are usually water-resistant, they are not completely waterproof.

How Moisture Seeps Through Grout and Tiles

Grout is the material used to fill gaps between tiles, and it is naturally porous; this means that even small amounts of water can penetrate it, especially if the grout is not sealed properly. 

Over time, this moisture can reach the subfloor and wall structures and weaken the foundation of your bathroom. Water can also pass through cracked or poorly installed tiles and create hidden pockets of moisture beneath the surface. Unchecked water infiltration can lead to:

Mould growth: Excess moisture creates an ideal breeding ground for mould, and moulds can pose serious health risks.

Tile delamination: Water weakens the adhesive holding tiles in place and can make your tiles weak, loosen or pop off over time.

Structural damage: Prolonged exposure to moisture can rot wooden subfloors and corrode metal components.

Expensive repairs: A stitch in time saves nine! Ignoring water damage may lead to expensive renovations. In extreme cases, repairs may require replacing tiles, subfloors and even parts of the wall structure.

Signs of Water Damage You Shouldn’t Ignore

Some common signs of water damage include:

Discoloured grout or tiles: Yellowing or dark stains on grout and tiles can indicate moisture buildup.

Peeling paint or wallpaper: Bubbling or flaking paint is often a sign of excess humidity behind walls.

Musty odours: A persistent damp smell suggests mould or mildew growth.

Warped or soft flooring: Water-damaged subfloors may feel spongy underfoot.

How Waterproofing Impacts the Beauty, Functionality and Longevity of Your Bathroom

Experts suggest that proper bathroom waterproofing plays a crucial role in maintaining the aesthetics and lifespan of your bathroom. Here’s how:

Preventing mould, mildew and structural decay

Spaces with high levels of humidity are perfect breeding grounds for moulds, and your bathroom may be one of such spaces. Bathrooms naturally experience high levels of humidity and without proper waterproofing, moisture can accumulate behind tiles, in grout lines, and beneath flooring.  

Extending the lifespan of tiles and subflooring

Waterproofing ensures that your tiles remain intact and securely bonded for years. Although tiles are designed to withstand moisture, when water penetrates through the grout or beneath the surface, it can weaken the adhesive holding them in place. Over time, this leads to the tiles becoming loose and the grout deteriorating and crumbling. It can also lead to warping and rotting of the subflooring over time.

Reducing maintenance and repair costs

If you refuse to waterproof your bathroom now, you will end up spending more on repairs than you would have on waterproofing. If the water damage spreads, you may even need to replace entire sections of the bathroom, like the tiles, flooring, and structural components.

Best Waterproofing Materials and Methods

Liquid Waterproofing Membranes

Liquid waterproofing membrane is a common system of bathroom waterproofing in Perth. This method is flexible and easy to use. It is usually applied like paint with a roller, brush, or spray and they form a seamless barrier once they dry up. They are mostly used for irregular surfaces like shower recesses and bathroom corners with very high water exposure.

Sheet Membranes and Waterproof Backer Boards

Unlike the liquid waterproof membranes, the sheet membranes are premade and are used as a water barrier under the tiles. Now, here’s how it works: you place a sheet membrane under the bathroom tiles, and it stops water from seeping through the tiles. It’s that simple! 

There are also waterproof backer boards, usually made from cement or foam. They are used as a sturdy base for tiling, and they prevent water from seeping into the walls. The major difference between regular plasterboard and waterproof backer board, as the name implies, is its ability to absorb moisture. 

Cementitious Coatings for Wet Areas

If you need extra durability, cementitious coatings are the way to go. 

The cementitious coating is a mix of cement and water or special additives to create a solid waterproof layer that bonds well to concrete and masonry surfaces. They are mostly used in showers and other wet areas because they are stronger and have more long-lasting protection.

Why Trust a Professional for Tiling and Waterproofing Services in Perth?

If you think that applying a waterproof coating is enough to waterproof your bathroom, then you are clearly underestimating the complexity of waterproofing. DIY is good, but improper waterproofing can eventually cause more harm than good. Simple mistakes like using the wrong materials, sealing edges and corners wrongly or applying an uneven membrane can make your DIY efforts futile. 

Further, there are strict waterproofing regulations in Australia that you may violate if you choose to waterproof your bathroom yourself. Qualified waterproofers understand and follow the National Construction Code (NCC) and AS 3740:2021 standards for waterproofing. They use the correct materials, apply waterproofing layers evenly and ensure that all necessary areas are fully sealed. 

To conclude, waterproofing a bathroom seems like a simple task, but it requires skill, precision and accurate knowledge of Australian building standards. So if you’ve been considering waterproofing your bathroom yourself, you may want to reconsider. Avoid chaos – hire a professional bathroom tile waterproofing expert near you and ensure complete peace of mind.