Advantages & Disadvantages of Waterproofing a Bathroom

Commercial Construction

• A waterproof bathroom is easy to clean. For this reason, some commercial buildings have bathrooms that are fully tiled, sometimes with a drain in the center of the room. Maintenance workers can clean this type of bathroom quickly and effectively because they don’t have to worry about causing water damage. They can use high-powered sprayers to blast away dirt and grime. But this level of waterproofing is rarely necessary in residential homes.

Residential Construction

• Residential homes typically have more conservative waterproofing. For example, instead of installing standard drywall, some builders opt for water-resistant drywall or waterproof cement board in bathrooms. The enhanced protection helps prevent water damage around sinks, showers, tubs or any other places where splashing might occur. Also, builders use waterproof cement boards as the substrate for tile, especially around bathtubs and on floors. Other typical waterproofing measures include caulking around plumbing fixtures and between tile seams.

Cost

• The major disadvantage of waterproofing a bathroom is the expense. Water-resistant and waterproof building materials cost more than standard products, and installation might be more expensive as well. So balance your needs against your budget to determine the level of waterproofing that works best for your home. For example, an arid upstairs bathroom typically only needs waterproofing in areas likely to come in direct contact with water.

Considerations

• Basements often are dank and dark, which can allow mold to infest your walls, ceilings, drywall, carpeting, furniture and any other exposed surface. Mold needs moisture to thrive, so waterproofing your basement bathroom can prevent extensive mold problems in the future. Proper venting of moist air is just as important as having waterproof surfaces, so install a quality bathroom fan and hire a professional to vent it outside.