Any shower, regardless of size, needs well-performed waterproofing work. Being a room with a high level of humidity, the structures of which are constantly in contact with water, the shower room has a high risk of rapid wear not only of the finishing coatings but also of the concrete load-bearing and enclosing structures. To avoid problems with unwanted water, you must initially carry out high-quality waterproofing work.
Why is shower waterproofing necessary:
The shower room is a room with a high level of humidity. A shower room can be part of a bathroom in a residential building, or apartment, or it can be a whole complex in public buildings (sports and recreational facilities, dormitories, administrative and utility complexes at industrial enterprises, etc.). Regardless of the size and area of the shower, the enclosing structures of such premises have direct, regular contact with water. Carry out repairs and finishing of showers somewhat differently than in ordinary premises. Of course, emphasis must be placed on waterproofing, because the quality of waterproofing work determines the durability of both the decorative finishing layers and the load-bearing and enclosing structures of the building in general.
Damage to property
In addition, poorly executed shower waterproofing can lead to damage to property located on the lower floors. Based on all that has been said, we can conclude that repairs, including waterproofing of the shower room, should be entrusted to professionals. Success lies not only in the development of an optimal drainage scheme, the placement of sanitary fixtures, the location of the waterproofing barrier and the selection of suitable materials but also in the professional execution of all work and strict quality control. Among many companies offering waterproofing services in Melbourne, Omni Dry enjoys a positive reputation
As a rule, installing ready-made shower cabins with a tray in a shower room greatly simplifies the issue of waterproofing the room structures (walls, floors). The cabin design has sealed connections and a waste water outlet. Problem areas can only be the seams where the pallet joins the walls (except cabins that have walls on all sides). Resolve this issue easily by installing sealant with antifungal additives along all joints.
If we are talking about a shower without a special cabin and tray, when water pours directly onto the floor and drains into the drain, then the issue of waterproofing arises most acutely. Such showers are most often located in public places, which means they have more than one unit of shower equipment, and therefore the load on the drainage system is quite high. The correct slope of the floor and pipes, sealed joints, and a high-quality waterproofing layer will ensure the uninterrupted, smooth operation of a public shower.
Unreliable waterproofing
The most common problem that owners of shower rooms have to face is unreliable waterproofing of the floor slab and leakage of water inlet drains. Water easily penetrates under the screed, migrating further through seams or defects in the ceiling in the form of cracks and unformed areas of concrete and ending up on the floors below. Constant exposure of the floor screed to moisture causes cracks, swelling, and peeling of the decorative tile covering. Improper operation, lack of preventive measures for maintaining the drainage system, insufficient slope of pipes, and errors in connections – all lead to stagnation and accumulation of water on the shower floor, which inevitably destroys the decorative coating. Unfortunately, the only optimal solution to this kind of problem is the complete dismantling of all layers of the floor covering and part of the walls, followed by restoration by building codes and requirements.
Stages of waterproofing
The first thing to be repaired is the reinforced concrete floor slab. All cracks, voids and other defects are eliminated. The next stage is the installation of a reinforced concrete screed with a slope along the beacons. The slope should allow water to flow freely into the drains. As a rule, there should be one shower drain per place with shower equipment. The top elevation of the ladder should be the lowest in the screed slope. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the slope of the pipe connecting the drain to the sewerage system.
Apply several layers of coating polymer-cement waterproofing to the concrete screed. Arrange each layer in a direction perpendicular to the previous one. Do not apply Coating waterproofing to right angles. Install waterproofing tape at the junctions and joints. You can also round the corners by making a fillet from the repair compound. True, the fillet is not always suitable for subsequent tiling work. It is very important to arrange seamless waterproofing across the entire floor, extending onto the walls, thereby forming a “bathtub” that does not allow water to leak out.
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Finishing
Finishing in the form of tiles is also an element of protecting wall and floor structures from moisture. For tiling work, use special materials that are resistant to water and mould. Places where tiles adjoin drains, water supply pipes, etc. separately sealed with elastic polyurethane moisture-resistant sealant. Seal embedded parts and elements of plumbing equipment with special elastic cuffs that are durable and resistant to chlorides and hard water. Carry out sealing with cuffs before the stage of tiling work.
The technology described above is general. In each case, some nuances and subtleties require an individual approach. However, by understanding the main aspects of waterproofing work in shower rooms, you will not encounter troubles that often arise during the operation of a shower complex after mistakes made by amateurs..
