How to Make Your Bathroom Watertight
Here are ways to waterproof your bathroom from any kind of leakages or dampness
Pooja Khanna Tyagi
21 December 2021
Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida.
Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392
Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner,... More
Water has a tendency to find the shortest route to travel, so the main aim of a watertight bathroom should be to prevent water penetration through the floor bed or the walls. Constant leakage or dampness can not only rot the structural steel members of the slab and cause damage to the building but also result in unhygienic living conditions. In order to achieve a maintenance-free and cost-effective bathroom for years, some good planning is essential during the construction phase itself.
Here are some tips to get you going:
Here are some tips to get you going:
Install porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles are excellent for floors and walls as they are impervious to leakages because of a high density quotient. Studies indicate that the water absorption by porcelain tiles ranges between 0.001 to 0.5 per cent of their weight, which is the least compared to tiles of other materials. Also, these tiles have a glazed coating in glossy or matte finish, which makes them waterproof and does not permit absorption. Due to this, water remains on the surface of the tile.
Find a bathroom designer to design your bath space
Porcelain tiles are excellent for floors and walls as they are impervious to leakages because of a high density quotient. Studies indicate that the water absorption by porcelain tiles ranges between 0.001 to 0.5 per cent of their weight, which is the least compared to tiles of other materials. Also, these tiles have a glazed coating in glossy or matte finish, which makes them waterproof and does not permit absorption. Due to this, water remains on the surface of the tile.
Find a bathroom designer to design your bath space
Use epoxy grouting for tile joints
When laying tiles, ensure that there is a gap of at least 2 mm between each tile, and that the joints are filled with a grout.
Epoxy grouting is very effective; its primary ingredients include epoxy resins and a filler powder that make it durable, stain-resistant, anti-bacterial, resistant to cracking, waterproof and able to withstand harsh cleaning. Epoxy grouts are available in multiple colour options; opt for a colour that will match with the tile. After tiling a surface, make sure that the tile adhesive has hardened for at least 24 hours before you apply the grout.
Tip: Try to avoid cement grouts. These are not waterproof and may shrink or develop cracks over a period of time.
Makeover on a Budget: 10 Tips to Style Up Your Bathroom
When laying tiles, ensure that there is a gap of at least 2 mm between each tile, and that the joints are filled with a grout.
Epoxy grouting is very effective; its primary ingredients include epoxy resins and a filler powder that make it durable, stain-resistant, anti-bacterial, resistant to cracking, waterproof and able to withstand harsh cleaning. Epoxy grouts are available in multiple colour options; opt for a colour that will match with the tile. After tiling a surface, make sure that the tile adhesive has hardened for at least 24 hours before you apply the grout.
Tip: Try to avoid cement grouts. These are not waterproof and may shrink or develop cracks over a period of time.
Makeover on a Budget: 10 Tips to Style Up Your Bathroom
No gaps in the pipe joints
Most bathrooms are designed with concealed PVC pipelines. Their pipe joints are prone to leakages. As a precaution, it is important to seal these joints with waterproofing tape. Ensure that there are no gaps at the joints or where there is a bend in the pipes.
Most bathrooms are designed with concealed PVC pipelines. Their pipe joints are prone to leakages. As a precaution, it is important to seal these joints with waterproofing tape. Ensure that there are no gaps at the joints or where there is a bend in the pipes.
Provide a gentle slope to the floor
It is important you provide an adequate slope towards the drain for successful drainage of water. An ideal slope ranges between 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch per running foot. This gentle slope allows the waste water to drain away effectively. Rapid water flow helps prevent drain clogging or stagnant water problems that may allow water to penetrate the floor slab and walls. In addition, consider bringing in multiple drainage points between the wet and the dry areas.
Tip: Before tiling the floor, double-check the direction of the slope by pouring some water. Make sure it flows smoothly towards the drain trap and there is no puddle left behind.
It is important you provide an adequate slope towards the drain for successful drainage of water. An ideal slope ranges between 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch per running foot. This gentle slope allows the waste water to drain away effectively. Rapid water flow helps prevent drain clogging or stagnant water problems that may allow water to penetrate the floor slab and walls. In addition, consider bringing in multiple drainage points between the wet and the dry areas.
Tip: Before tiling the floor, double-check the direction of the slope by pouring some water. Make sure it flows smoothly towards the drain trap and there is no puddle left behind.
Fix tiles with waterproof adhesives
The traditional method of fixing tiles with cement and sand has been replaced with the use of tile adhesives. This is a ready-mixed cementitious dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste that is used for fixing the tiles. It is rapid-hardening and has enhanced waterproofing properties that protect the slab from water penetration.
Tip: An extra layer of waterproofing is a great solution for bathrooms in old buildings. What is this, you ask? It includes a minimum of two coats of liquid waterproof coating on the floor slab or fixing of an impermeable waterproof membrane on the slab, which should extend to a minimum of 6 inches up the wall from the floor. There are waterproofing options available in the market with brands like Dr Fixit, Asian Paints and Berger.
The traditional method of fixing tiles with cement and sand has been replaced with the use of tile adhesives. This is a ready-mixed cementitious dry powder that is mixed with water to form a paste that is used for fixing the tiles. It is rapid-hardening and has enhanced waterproofing properties that protect the slab from water penetration.
Tip: An extra layer of waterproofing is a great solution for bathrooms in old buildings. What is this, you ask? It includes a minimum of two coats of liquid waterproof coating on the floor slab or fixing of an impermeable waterproof membrane on the slab, which should extend to a minimum of 6 inches up the wall from the floor. There are waterproofing options available in the market with brands like Dr Fixit, Asian Paints and Berger.
Seal with elastomeric sealants
Silicone sealants are highly recommended in areas such as where the bathtub or the sink meets the tiles or around the edge of a shower panel. This material is flexible and durable, with excellent water resistance that makes it ideal for sealing joints and cracks. Used properly, sealants are an effective way to plug any leaks that may arise in the joints between two different materials or surfaces.
Silicone sealants are highly recommended in areas such as where the bathtub or the sink meets the tiles or around the edge of a shower panel. This material is flexible and durable, with excellent water resistance that makes it ideal for sealing joints and cracks. Used properly, sealants are an effective way to plug any leaks that may arise in the joints between two different materials or surfaces.
Go for waterproof paint
Bathrooms are exposed to a lot of moisture and humidity so it is wise to select a semi-gloss or waterproof paint for the non-tiled surface and the ceiling. Such finishes have a shiny surface and are resistant to fungal growth caused by dampness.
Also consider paints with water beading technology (available with paint companies like Asian Paints). The hydrophobic (water-repellent) nature of this paint does not permit any absorption of water that may cause dampness to the walls and forces the water to roll down as little beads.
Tip: To ensure that there is no dampness within the bathroom, install an effective exhaust fan and make provision for ample natural light and ventilation.
Read more:
Bathtub vs Shower: Which is Right for Your Home?
Why Marble Might Be Wrong for Your Bathroom
Tell us: How have you sealed leakages and controlled dampness in your bathrooms? Share in the Comments section below.
Bathrooms are exposed to a lot of moisture and humidity so it is wise to select a semi-gloss or waterproof paint for the non-tiled surface and the ceiling. Such finishes have a shiny surface and are resistant to fungal growth caused by dampness.
Also consider paints with water beading technology (available with paint companies like Asian Paints). The hydrophobic (water-repellent) nature of this paint does not permit any absorption of water that may cause dampness to the walls and forces the water to roll down as little beads.
Tip: To ensure that there is no dampness within the bathroom, install an effective exhaust fan and make provision for ample natural light and ventilation.
Read more:
Bathtub vs Shower: Which is Right for Your Home?
Why Marble Might Be Wrong for Your Bathroom
Tell us: How have you sealed leakages and controlled dampness in your bathrooms? Share in the Comments section below.
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Thanks Pooja for these tips. Will come in useful for reference as my house is currently being built. Good advice from Zainali too.