Should the bathroom floor be waterproof? A question that many would consider and think about when we own a house. As such, every household member will use the bathroom as often as every day. Bathrooms are the main wet area in the house. The bathroom floor must be waterproof so that water does not get into the sub-structure of the house and cause major structural damage. Waterproofing would have been carried out while the bathroom is being built. It is to provide a water barrier around the floor and walls of the bathroom, especially the shower area. All bathrooms in Singapore must comply with the standard requirement from Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Waterproofing work required an approved and licensed contractor such as SWC Construction, to carry out the work.
Waterproofing bathroom floor
Waterproofing is commonly set up before the floors and walls tiles are laid down. There is some waterproofing membrane that can be put in place after the tiles have been established. This is to have additional waterproofing protection to prevent water ingress into the structure.
After the floor and walls are established, there are other types of waterproofing as well, such as polyurethane, resin, and liquid sealant to apply on the wall or floor to serve as a protective barrier to stop water from breaching the surface.
Application of waterproofing material on bathroom floor
The application of a waterproofing membrane is either painted, sprayed or laid down as a sheet. Spraying and painting membranes are the most common techniques used for waterproofing wet areas. Sealants are also used to seal gaps between the floor and wall joints.
Bathroom leakage can be a disaster. This occurs when water penetrates through the surface of the bathroom or shower floor. The most common causes of bathroom floor leaks are loose or cracked tiles, missing tile grout, or damaged sealant to enable water to breach the surface and enter the sub-structure of the property.
Loose or cracked tiles occur in response to natural building movement as well as contraction and expansion of the environment temperature changes.
Missing tile grout will generally be worn off with the regular washing and scrubbing of the floor. Over time, the grout will degrade and required replacing to prevent and protect the water damage, by preventing moisture from seeping into the substrate. Grout is generally made of water, and cement and they are not waterproof, however, it does help to protect the tiles and the surface from water damage. In this instance, waterproofing sealants are highly recommended to enable long-lasting protection.
The damaged waterproofing membrane is one of the most serious scenarios with failed waterproofing. Waterproofing membranes are coated before the installation of tiles which is beneath the surface. Failed waterproofing membrane will lead to water damage to the lower area such as the ceiling and wet walls of the building structure.
Results of having waterproof bathroom floor
As a result, the moisture will lead to a number of problems, such as rotting timber within the structure, mould, mildew, foul smells, and even termites. Mould thrives in damp, humid, and poorly ventilated areas. It is vital to keep the bathroom well ventilated and reduce condensation. Otherwise, the growth of mould and mildew will bring a major health hazard that can cause serious respiratory issues for asthmatics, shortness of breath, wheezing, and even affect the natural immune system of the family members, especially the elderly and children.
With modern technologies, SWC Construction has a non-hacking waterproofing solution for industrial, commercial, and residential. We have highly skilled and experienced technicians to carry out the work. We have more than 20year of waterproofing experience, contact us now to find out which waterproofing is the best for the bathroom. We provide no obligation and free on-site consultation to resolve your waterproofing problem.