Leaks in older structures typically begin in toilets and bathrooms. This is due to the fact that over time, the waterproofing membrane on the floor deteriorates or wears out. Water then starts to seep in through the gaps between the tiles which might eventually penetrate the slab and intrude into the room below, causing damage to affect the ceiling and other parts of the premise.
Deterioration of the ceiling can be observed with changes in colour, owing to wet cement of peeling paint. In the long run, it can lead to the development of toxic mould and electrical hazards. As a result, effective waterproofing is critical to the health and safety of residents.
Toilet and bath leakage, often unnoticed, and often ignored, can actually cost you volumes of water annually. Ironically, bathrooms and toilets are the area most often used in residential or commercial properties and are thus expected to deteriorate rapidly. Minor leaks and cracks are common, but as soon as you notice that your bathroom or toilet paints are peeling off or changing colour, it is time to get waterproofing specialists to assess the situation for you.
An assessment is necessary as moulds will easily form in damp areas, making you, your family, and building inhabitants prone to respiratory health risks. Other than that, moisture accumulation can also prove to be detrimental to your bathroom fixtures, especially as rust forms on your metal equipment. The best move to prevent all these from happening so soon is to waterproof your toilet and bathroom.
In older buildings, toilets and bathrooms are the most common areas where leakage begins. This is due to the deterioration or wearing out of the waterproofing membrane on the floor over time. Water then starts to seep in through the gaps between the tiles which might eventually penetrate the slab and intrude into the room below, causing damage to the ceiling and wall
Due to wet cement of peeling paint, deterioration of the ceiling can be observed with changes in colour being the most obvious. In the long run, it may lead to the formation of toxic mould as well as present risks of electrocution. Therefore, effective waterproofing is critical to the well-being of the inhabitants.
Bathrooms are the main wet area in the house. Therefore, you need to waterproof the area so that water does not get into the substructure of the house and cause major structural damage. Waterproofing is typically done by experts while the bathroom is being built. It involves setting up a waterproof barrier around the floor and walls of the bathroom, including the shower. Do you need to waterproof the whole bathroom? Not exactly. But there are waterproof requirements to be met.
Waterproofing requirement
- The entire shower floor must be waterproofed
- Shower walls must be waterproofed up to at least 1800mm
- The walls must be waterproofed up to at least 300mm
- If the bathroom floor is above ground level, or made of timber, plywood, or particleboard, the entire bathroom floor must be waterproofed
Undefined Water leak
Water leak detection is so important for industrial and commercial buildings. When you find little drips of water under the sink, near the bathroom, or in the lounge, don’t neglect it. As soon as you see some sign, take action right away. If not, moulds may appear and if you have water pipes running under carpets and leakage is unknown, it may even cause short-circuit.
Floods may even appear in the house if the water leakage problem is not deal with and this may cause more money incurred as you may need to get new furniture as they are all soaked in the water that in time to come, may turn mouldy or even having a bad smell due to the water soaks into the furniture.
Is your shower leaking through your tiles? Leaky tiles can occur anywhere where water is used, whether it’s a shower, a wet room, or a kitchen splashback. They can often cause dampness and mould within surfaces behind tiles, and can even threaten the structural integrity of walls, so it’s important to tackle the issue at the first sign of a leak.
Water getting behind tiles can also damage the tile adhesive, which could cause tiles to come loose, and possibly fall off the wall altogether. If you’ve got a serious leak on your hands however, you’ll need to remove the tiles and install a waterproofing system before putting them back.
If your grout is visibly cracked or crumbling, it’s likely going to be letting water behind your tiles. Even if your grout doesn’t appear to be damaged, if it’s not water-resistant it could potentially be the source of the leak. Either way, it’s probably a good idea to remove and replace – particularly any grout that is visibly damaged.
How to replace Grouting?
Grout can be removed by hand either using a manual grout removal tool or a power tool with an oscillating action, both of which are widely available from hardware stores. To ensure you don’t damage your tiles it’s a good idea to tape off the grout lines before you begin the removal process.
Before applying new grout, ensure tiles have firmly adhered and that the gaps in between are clean. Put on a pair of disposable gloves and use your finger to apply the water-resistant grout in small sections. Ensure a smooth, even finish is created with no gaps which could cause further problems down the line. Remove excess grout from tile surfaces as soon as possible, and then leave to dry for around an hour. Finally, a damp cloth or sponge can be used to clean any remaining grout residue from the tile surface.
Water can also seep around the edges of tiled areas. To prevent this from happening, a silicone sealant should be used to seal the joints between tiles and other surfaces such as windows, sinks, and walls at the edges of splashbacks. If the silicone seal has been broken, this should be removed before applying the new sealant. This can be done using a sharp knife or chisel, ensuring all appropriate safety measures are taken. Take extra care not to damage your tiles when removing the sealant. As with grout, it’s important to ensure the chosen sealant is mould and fungus resistant if it’s intended for use in wet areas. Surfaces must be clean and dry before the sealant is applied to joints, using a spatula to smooth them. Finish by cleaning off any excess before it cures.
SWC Construction offers the best waterproofing solution to cater to individual application needs for bathroom water leakage and waterproofing work for our valuable potential customer to save their time and effort in doing the repair work. With more than 20 years of experience in the waterproofing field, we have professionals to ease all homeowners’ worries and concerns about waterproofing leakage in their homes.
Contact us now, for a free consultation and non-obligation proposal for carrying out the hassle-free waterproofing repair work.