The primary task in home renovation is to ensure proper waterproofing, as failure to do so can lead to endless烦恼 once you move in. This is especially true for areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and balcony, which frequently come into contact with water. It's crucial to execute effective waterproofing during the renovation process. How can you ensure proper waterproofing in home renovation? Let's take a look below.

Why Go Waterproof?

Generally, finished houses have already been waterproofed by the construction company. However, since the waterproofing layer is often damaged during the renovation of the bathroom or other equipment, the property management usually clearly stipulates in the renovation guidelines that the warranty obligation of the property management will terminate after the original waterproofing layer is damaged by the owner. Therefore, ensuring a second layer of waterproofing is one of the guarantees for the owner's future living safety.

What parts require waterproofing?

All bathroom floors and walls, kitchen and balcony floors, all floors and walls of the first-floor residential units, as well as all floors and walls of the basement, should be treated for waterproofing and moisture prevention.

What Key Issues Should Be Addressed When Preparing for Waterproofing?

Materials are the foundation, and construction is the key. House waterproofing relies on the formation of an integrated waterproofing layer through the application of waterproofing materials, aiming to achieve waterproofing purposes or enhance the ability to resist leakage. The quality of the materials directly affects the durability of the waterproofing effect, while construction ensures the material's functionality.

Why Is Waterproofing a Bathroom Essential?

Bathroom waterproofing is a crucial component of home waterproofing. Bathroom leaks can cause immense烦恼 for homeowners — wastewater from the ceiling follows through pipes and gaps, dampening the ceiling walls and leading to peeling wallpaper and falling tiles; the difficulty in repairing and waterproofing not only disrupts daily life but also proves time-consuming and costly, potentially straining neighborly relationships.

Why Waterproofing the Kitchen?

Currently, developers generally do not install floor drains in kitchens, allowing water to flow directly into the sewer. However, cleaning the floor and splashes can keep the kitchen in a moist environment, with water seeping through the grout between tiles and infiltrating the entire wall through cement mortar. Moisture can also seep into the cabinets through gaps where they connect to the walls, causing the panels to warp. Additionally, a moist environment can trigger electrical safety issues. Therefore, kitchen waterproofing cannot be taken lightly.

What are the waterproofing construction processes and standards?

Waterproofing Construction Process

(1) Do not damage the existing waterproof layer

The original waterproof layer is easily damaged during renovation and, if not repaired promptly, future leaks may occur, affecting neighbors. Therefore, attention should be given to maintaining the waterproof layer during renovation. If accidentally damaged, it should be repaired immediately to avoid leaving any potential hazards.

(2) Before laying the tiles, additional waterproofing on the ground is required.

Before applying waterproofing, ensure the ground is thoroughly cleaned, then evenly spread polymer waterproofing paste. Allow it to dry for 24 hours before laying tiles. Seams between walls and the ground, as well as pipe joints for water inlets and outlets, are prone to leakage. It is recommended to use flexible waterproof coatings and ensure thorough application.

(3) Wall Waterproofing

Water can splash onto the adjacent walls during a bath. If there's no waterproofing layer on the walls, the adjacent walls and the top corner walls are prone to dampness and mold growth. Therefore, it's essential to apply waterproofing to the walls before laying tiles. In general waterproofing treatment, walls should have a 30-centimeter high waterproofing layer. Non-load-bearing lightweight walls require full wall waterproofing, at least 1.8 meters high. The waterproofing on walls adjacent to the bathing area should also be 1.8 meters high. If a bathtub is used, the height of the waterproofing coating on the wall adjacent to the bathtub should be higher than the rim of the bathtub.

(4) Waterproofing Inspection

After the waterproofing project is completed, seal the door and drain outlets, fill the bathroom floor with water to the predetermined level and mark it. If the water level does not visibly drop within 24 hours and there is no leakage in the ceiling of the downstairs residents, the waterproofing passes. If the inspection fails, the entire waterproofing project must be redone and re-inspected.

The inspection of waterproofing wall construction should undergo a sprinkling test, which involves using a hose to spray water discontinuously on the waterproof wall from top to bottom for 3 minutes. After 4 hours, examine the other side of the wall to see if any penetration occurs; no penetration indicates the waterproofing wall construction has passed the inspection.

Waterproofing Layer Construction Standards

The waterproof coating is fully applied without any omissions, firmly bonded to the base, free of bubbles, cracks, or delamination, with a smooth surface. The brushing height at the rolled-up sections is basically consistent and even, meeting the thickness requirements specified by the product.