According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold can cause many health conditions. For example, it can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, eye or skin irritation, and chronic lung illnesses.
That’s why it is so important to ensure your home is mold-free. Did you know one of the most common areas for mold to grow is in bathrooms?
Keep reading to learn more about how shower waterproofing your bathroom can help prevent mold and keep your bathroom cleaner for longer.
How to go About Waterproofing Shower Walls and Why Is it Important?
Waterproofing your shower is essential. You need to make sure that when you install a new shower or new tiles, that you create a watertight seal around the stall.
This watertight seal can help to prevent any water leaking into any cracks or crevices around the wall joints and the floorboards. This helps to prevent structural damage, rot, and mold.
Once you’ve stripped back to the wall you need to use a liquid waterproofing adhesive and a shower waterproofing membrane. Using both of these helps to ensure that the area around your shower is protected from water damage.
A waterproofing shower wall is a very important part of installing a new shower or installing new tiles. Sometimes tiles can become cracked or damaged, so if this happens it is best to replace them to help prevent mold. Have a read of this article to find out more about how you can prevent water damage behind your shower tiles.
8 Tips for Waterproofing Your Shower
There are various ways you can go about waterproofing your shower. For example, some people choose to waterproof their showers with a cement board, while other people choose to use the tile shower waterproofing method.
Whichever way you choose to waterproof your shower is up to you and your personal preferences. Whether you are applying all the waterproofing products to ensure extra safety, or are just applying some of the waterproofing methods, check out our 8 tips to ensure a smoother process.
1. Measure Your Bathroom
The first thing you need to do before you even think about buying the products to waterproof your shower is to measure your bathroom. You need to have the right measurements so that you can buy the right products and the right amount of tiles.
2. Decide Which Waterproof Membrane You Want
You need a waterproof shower membrane as this helps to prevent water damage. There are two types of membranes available; sheet membranes and liquid membranes.
Sheet membranes are more costly, however, they are very long-lasting and some even come with adhesive backing. Whereas, liquid membranes are cheaper and easier to install.
3. Cut Your Sheet Membrane
If you’ve decided to use the sheet membrane, then make sure you measure out your walls and measure your membrane. Make sure that when you trim your sheet membrane that it fits the flat section of the wall.
It is also advised to mark down on the membrane where the key fixtures are, such as the showerhead and the temperature knobs. Then cut some long, thin strips to place in the corners of the shower wall, as this will provide additional protection for the corners.
4. Budget Shower Waterproofing
If you’re on a tight budget then you might want to consider using a cement board. This is one of the most cost-effective ways in which you can waterproof your shower.
However, cement boards can be heavy to install and difficult to cut. If this is your first shower installation it might be better to use a lighter option, such as Schluter KERDI-BOARD.
5. Save Time Using a Waterproof Foam Backer Board
Foam backer boards are another alternative way you can waterproof your shower. These types of boards are waterproof on the surface which means that they don’t let the moisture absorb through the back of the board.
These are very popular among bathroom installers because they are light and the board is waterproof, which means that you don’t need to install a cement board and waterproof it as well.
6. Consider Adding More Ventilation
If you find that your bathroom suffers from mold or water damage, then one thing you might want to think about is adding more ventilation. For example, when you are doing up your bathroom you might want to add a humidifier or a fan to ensure some of the moisture is taken away.
7. Remember the Cheapest Materials Aren’t Always the Best
Everyone loves to save money, but when it comes to waterproofing your bathroom, it’s better to do the job well as opposed to doing it cheaply. Some cheaper materials might not provide as much protection from water damage as others, which will lead to higher costs in the long run.
8. Save Your Tiles to Last
Only once you’ve finished waterproofing your shower can you put on the tiles. You also need to make sure that all the products and materials you used are dry before adding your tiles.
Ceramic tiles and grout are not enough to protect your shower area from water damage, so make sure you waterproof your shower first and then put your tiles on.
Follow Our Tips and Start Shower Waterproofing Your Bathroom
If you have problems with mold in your bathroom then you need to start shower waterproofing your bathroom. The combination of the build-up of moisture and the constant use of a shower only adds to the mold, so it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Follow our useful tips to complete your shower waterproofing or find a professional in your area who can help you waterproof your shower.
Be sure to check out more of our articles to get the best tips and tricks on how you can improve your home.