WATERPROOFING OF WET JOINTS
Waterproofing of Bathrooms is one of the most important aspects of waterproofing all residential buildings, and it is essential to ensure that the selected technical solutions are applied correctly and with care. Incorrect selection and improper application of waterproofing systems lead to premature damage, water leaks, and moisture issues. Fixing these problems later can be very expensive, time-consuming, and stressful.
The main purpose of installing waterproofing in wet joints is to stop water movement through the floor or moisture penetration through walls and ceilings. There are many manufacturers offering their technical solutions, but what they have in common is that they use polymer-cement (powdered) materials or polyurethane materials (in the form of coatings). A typical system solution, regardless of the manufacturer or material type, includes the following steps:
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The substrate where waterproofing will be applied must be properly prepared, i.e., flat (without bumps or holes) and clean;
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Penetrations around valves, faucets, and drains must be treated with waterproof mortar;
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After substrate preparation, the first layer of waterproofing is applied (which can be either single-component or two-component);
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At the wall-floor joints, a collar strip (holker tape) is embedded to protect the most critical parts of any wet joint waterproofing;
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After the first layer dries (usually within 24 hours), the second layer of waterproofing is applied.
It should be noted that there are also waterproofing adhesives for ceramics, which can be used for waterproofing wet joints. The method involves applying the first layer of adhesive on the prepared substrate as the primary waterproofing layer, and after 24 hours, ceramic tiles are installed using the second layer.
