Proper waterproofing in bathrooms is essential to maintain the structural soundness of the entire building. If the waterproofing job isn't properly done, water can seep into the floors and wall cavities of the bathroom, resulting in major structural damage.
Knowing how to detect signs of failing bathroom waterproofing early enough is vital for preventing hugely expensive damage to your home. With that said, here are some tell-tale signs to watch out for.
1. Water Rising Up Your Bathroom Walls
Naturally, the water splashed on your bathroom floors and walls flows down the bathroom drains. If you see damp rising up the bathroom walls, water could be seeping into the substrate material and finding its way up the walls through capillary action. This is a sign of waterproofing failure.
2. Damaged Structural Wood Components
If the bathroom floor is built using any structural timber components, and the materials are visibly warped or rotten, this is an indication that water is penetrating the waterproofing barrier.
The damaged wood will have to be removed and replaced before new waterproofing material can be applied to the substrate surface.
3. Increased Heating Costs
Like several other homeowners, you want to keep your heating and cooling costs down. Are you aware that faulty bathroom waterproofing can hamper your efforts to lower your heating bills?
When humidity levels increase within your house due to water leakage in the bathroom, you will need to operate your heating equipment more during the wintertime to keep your home warmer. This, in turn, increases your heating costs.
4. Microbial Growths
Can you spot mould or mildew growing on the surfaces of your bathroom? These microbial growths thrive in damp environments, and a bathroom with failing waterproofing provides the perfect environment for these growths to occur.
Besides being unsightly to look at, mould and mildew also release harmful spores into the air, leading to poor indoor air quality. This can compromise the health of family members suffering from asthma and other respiratory complications.
A badly waterproofed bathroom will compromise the structural integrity of your house, jeopardise the health and safety of your loved ones, and reduce the real estate value of the property. To avoid these undesirable outcomes, it is important that you have your bathroom waterproofing checked and repaired when you discover one or more of the above-highlighted signs of trouble. Unless you are a licensed waterproofer, you should let a licensed bathroom waterproofing contractor do the job for you.
For more information, contact local professionals like those found at Westside Sealants Pty Ltd.
