Mann bei der Verlegung bzw. Anbringung einer ETS-Abdichtungsmatte an der Wand

Sealing the bathroom properly: step-by-step instructions

Waterproofing your bathroom is crucial to prevent long-term damage caused by moisture. Whether you're installing a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, careful waterproofing is essential. This guide will walk you through the steps to properly waterproof walls, floors, plumbing and shower enclosures. Thorough preparation and application of specific waterproofing materials are key to a safe and dry bathroom.

Step 1: Preparation is everything

First of all, the substrate must be clean, dry and free of loose particles. Remove dust, dirt and grease that could affect adhesion. Cracks and unevenness should be repaired before applying the waterproofing. If necessary, touch up the substrate with a suitable repair compound to ensure a flat surface. Then apply a suitable primer to improve the adhesion of the waterproofing membranes. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 2: Material selection

Choose suitable sealing materials based on the area of application and the specific requirements of your bathroom. In this article, we focus on sealing with sealing mats.

Step 3: Laying the waterproofing membranes on the floor

Measure the waterproofing sheets and cut them to the required size. Allow for overlaps of at least 5 cm at the joint edges. Apply tile adhesive in sections to the properly prepared and primed surface using a 4 x 4 mm notched trowel. Place the cut-to-size waterproofing sheet on the adhesive and press firmly. Use a roller or smooth tool to remove bubbles and wrinkles. Lay the sheets with an overlap of at least 5 cm. The overlap must be bonded watertight with the adhesive sealant . If you lay sheets butt-jointed, you should bond them watertight with ET-S sealing tape and DURAL ET-S adhesive sealant .

Step 4: Laying the waterproofing membranes on the walls

Repeat the cutting and gluing as with the floor panels. Make sure that the panels overlap at the top and bottom and at the side edges. Smooth the panels onto the wall and make sure not to trap any air bubbles or folds. Use special ET-S sealing corners (internal and external corners) to ensure complete sealing in the corners. These should also be pressed firmly and laid without folds.

Step 5: Sealing around plumbing installations

Use sealing sleeves on all water pipe and drain openings. The sealing sleeves are laid in a similar way to the waterproofing membranes. Make sure there is an overlap of at least 5 cm and that the sealing is done with Flex 310 M Classic.

Step 6: Install tiles

Walk over the entire area and check that all areas are properly sealed and that there are no gaps or unsealed areas. A great and valuable advantage of the waterproofing membranes is that you don't have to wait and can lay the tiles directly on the mat using the thin-bed method.