Waterproofing is an important part of every bathroom renovation. Without it, you will be lucky if your new bathroom lasts more the 2-3 years. You also risk possible damage to the rest of your house.
So what is ‘waterproofing’ exactly? Waterproofing is a flexible membrane layer that is applied on the plasterboard or render for the walls and on the cement sheet or the concrete on the floor below the tiles. The joints where the walls meet the floor and other areas that may move are bandaged or siliconed to allow for movement.
Tiled walk through showers require extra care as they are currently the largest area of building insurance claims. If you do embark on constructing one of these in your design, make sure your renovator knows what he’s doing and can explain how he intends to construct and waterproof the area. A good renovator will waterproof to Australian Standards and guarantee their work for up to 7 years.