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Waterproofing And Bathroom Renovations

From Drab to Fab With a New Bathroom

Queensland Interior Linings’ Bathroom Renovations and Waterproofing

The bathroom, often the smallest room in a house, presents the unique challenge of being both compact in size and demanding in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
Well, renovating a bathroom can come with a hefty price tag, especially when you consider the cost per square meter. However, when done right, it has the potential to deliver the most significant “wow factor” in your home.
The critical element in any bathroom renovation is the proper and thorough waterproofing of the space to meet industry standards.

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Without adequate waterproofing, your bathroom will become a breeding ground for problems that have been discussed later on in this guide.
It is imperative that you get this crucial step right to avoid such issues and ensure a lasting and visually appealing bathroom renovation.

But before you embark on your bathroom renovation project, you need to plan.
The success of your renovation will be heavily influenced by your ability to source the right resources, including choosing the right trades to do the bathroom renovation and carefully selecting the materials, such as tiles, bathtubs, and decor. So, to start this journey, it’s essential to have a clear roadmap in place.

Do You Wonder How Waterproofing Works?

In the context of bathroom renovations, waterproofing is the process of creating a water-tight barrier to prevent the infiltration of water into the structure. This process involves applying a specialised membrane or a product that forms a waterproof surface, effectively sealing the bathroom space from moisture.
The most common products used for bathroom waterproofing are:

  • Sheeting
  • Membranes
  • Spray-on or paint-on waterproofing solutions

Among these, spray-on or paint-on waterproofing is frequently favoured due to its ease of application and flexible finish. Given that bathrooms are inherently moist environments, getting the waterproofing aspect right is paramount.

Inadequate waterproofing can result in long-term problems that compromise the integrity of your renovation. From damage to floorboards and walls to the presence of unsightly mould, loose floor tiles, structural damage, and even wood swelling due to water exposure, these issues can lead to extensive repair and renovation work that could have been avoided with proper waterproofing.

Waterproofing Standards In Australia

Australian building standards set minimum requirements for waterproofing.
Always engage a qualified and licensed tradesperson.

According to BCA New Australian Waterproofing Requirements (Effective May 1, 2023):

  • All shower walls must be waterproofed.
  • Waterproof membranes must be graded to the drain waste puddle flange.
  • Graded membranes are mandatory in commercial wet areas.
  • Entire water-resistant shower walls must be waterproofed to a minimum height of 1800 mm or 50 mm above the shower rose.
  • The entire bathroom floor must be waterproofed if it consists of timber flooring, plywood, or particleboard or if it’s located above the ground floor of the house.

Strive to exceed the minimum requirements whenever possible and you can see the latest BCA update here.

The Queensland Interior Linings team holds qualifications and licenses for all residential and commercial waterproofing projects.

When to Initiate Waterproofing

The sequence of tasks in a bathroom renovation typically adheres to a well-structured schedule managed by your chosen bathroom company or builder.
Queensland Interior Lining can be involved with 6 of the following steps in the bathroom renovation.
The standard order of operations usually includes the following steps:

  • Removal of the old bathroom fixtures and elements.
  • The plumber disconnects the old fixtures and performs a preliminary installation for the new plumbing components.
  • The electrician disconnects old electrical fixtures and conducts the initial installation of new electrical components.
  • Framework for walls or flooring changed
  • Plastering and wall preparation.
  • Waterproofing to ensure a water-tight seal.
  • Installing cabinets, including vanity units and storage solutions.
  • Painting the walls and ceiling
  • Tiling begins, covering the floors and walls to your chosen design.
  • The plumber returns to install and finish taps, the bath, toilet, and other fixtures.
  • The electrician completes the installation and finishing of lights, fans, heating, and other electrical components. 
  • Installation of shower screens and applying silicone seals.
  • Conducting a final inspection to verify the presence and compliance of all required elements
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Ready To Begin Your Stylish Bathroom Makeover?

Now that you have a clear understanding of the sequence of steps involved in a bathroom renovation, you can begin the planning phase. A successfully renovated bathroom not only enhances the aesthetics of your home but also transforms the space into one that you genuinely enjoy spending time in.

What’s the Art of Selecting Bathroom Tiles?

Selecting the right tiles is a pivotal aspect of your bathroom renovation. Consider the following factors when making your choice:

  • Bathroom Size: Your bathroom’s size plays a significant role in determining the size of the tiles. In general, smaller bathrooms benefit from smaller-sized tiles, as they help maintain proportionality and a visually pleasing aesthetic.
  • Colour Preferences: The colour palette you choose can breathe life into your bathroom. Select colours that resonate with your personal taste and enhance the ambience of your space.
  • Grout Choices: Ask your tiler about epoxy grout, it is a resin style grout that is not porous like traditional cement grout and your have a much larger colour range. Epoxy grout is also stain and mould resistant.
  • Keeping Clean: Bigger smooth tiles are easier to keep clean than smaller textured tiles.

How to Choose Bathtubs?

Choosing the right bathtub is another critical decision during your bathroom renovation. Take the following factors into account:

  • Bathtub Design: There are various bathtub styles to consider, such as oval-shaped freestanding tubs, round-shaped bathtubs, and more. The style you opt for should be influenced by your bathroom’s size and the materials required to construct the tub.
  • Materials: – The two main factors to consider are price and comfort.
    Test out different materials to find the most comfortable one for you. Keep in mind that the most comfortable material may also be more expensive and heavier. Fiberglass is the cheapest option but is prone to chipping and warping over time. Porcelain is durable and non-porous, while acrylic is lightweight, durable, and resistant to chipping. Ceramic bathtubs offer a wide range of styles but require regular maintenance to prevent deterioration. Stone resin is a composite material that looks and feels like natural stone but has fewer style choices.
  • The installation: This can also add to the cost of your reno. Freestanding bathtubs can be installed anywhere as long as there is a working drain and water source. They tend to be larger and heavier, so make sure your floor can handle the weight.
    Drop-in bathtubs are easy to install, as they simply need to be placed in an ingress or carved out space. Corner tubs are more difficult to install and may require additional help.

How Do You Pick the Perfect Decor For Your Bathroom?

Selecting the right decor for your bathroom significantly elevates the space’s overall look and feel. Here are some steps to consider:

  • Consider Bathroom Size: The size of your bathroom will dictate the amount of space available for decor. Ensure that everything you want will fit to the size of the room. Consider things like opening doors on the shower, on the vanity and into the bathroom
  • Design and Aesthetics: The decor you select should align with your desired design and aesthetics. Choose items that complement the overall look and feel you want to achieve in your bathroom.
  • Mirrors and Lighting: There are so many beautiful choices! LED lights make it east to add feature lighting behind mirrors and under alcoves.
  • Cleaning: Look at how are you going to keep it all clean. Bathrooms and their fixtures can be difficult to keep looking pristine. Are the taps easy to clean around? Can you clean around the bath tub. Keeping the shower screen clean, consider getting it sealed before it is installed to stop water marks
  • Storage: Bathroom storage is always needed. Ask about niches in the shower recess to store shampoo and body wash. Does the vanity you have chosen have drawers or cupboards. Is there available wall space for heated towel rails. ( heated towel rails a must in Queensland – no musty towels in our humid weather
  • Budget: Your budget will significantly influence your decor choices. Ensure that the decor you select is not only visually pleasing but also falls within your budget constraints.

Concluding the Journey!

The success of your bathroom renovation project relies heavily on choosing the right professionals, meticulously planning each step, and selecting appropriate materials and design elements.
Bathrooms are often one of the most expensive areas of a home to renovate, so investing in high-quality waterproofing is crucial to protect your investment and ensure a lasting and visually pleasing bathroom that you can enjoy for years to come.
Remember, a well-executed bathroom makeover not only adds value to your home but also enhances your daily living experience.
Queensland Interior linings are a one stop renovation team with qualified builders, carpenters, plasterers, waterproofers and painters as part of our team
Get in touch with us today on (07) 3522 2943

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