5 Main Causes of Damp in Bathroom Walls

Since the bathroom is continuously exposed to a lot of moisture, it is prone to dampness. The biggest disadvantage of a damp bathroom is that it may cause damage to the building and create an unhealthy indoor environment due to the growth of mould or mildew. Additionally, the bathroom tiles may become loose and the grout can fall off over a period of time.

Also Read: Monsoon Wall Seepage Solutions: Preventing and Treating Water Leakage from the Walls

What are the causes of Damp in Bathroom Walls?

Here are the main causes of damp in bathroom walls.

1. Condensation
2. Leakage from Roof
3. Leaking Pipes
4. Wall Cracks
5. Leakage from Adjacent Bathrooms

Condensation

Condensation is one of the main causes of dampness which happens when the warm humid air or steam forms droplets of water on the cold surfaces of the bathroom like the wall tiles, windows, ceiling and bare walls. To reduce condensation within the bathroom, it is essential to open the windows and switch on the exhaust fan so that the humid air is replaced with fresh and dry air.

Leakage from Roof

Water may penetrate into the walls and ceiling of the bathroom from the roof or the terrace garden. To control dampness, the roofing should be well maintained and in good condition so that there are no leakages from the water tank.

Leaking Pipes

If there is any leakage in the concealed PVC pipes of the bathroom then it may also result in dampness. Therefore the leaking pipes should be rectified and the joints should be sealed with a waterproofing tape during installation. It is highly recommended to use silicon sealants at the junction of the bathroom fittings like bathtub, W.C., commode and the tiles so that there are no leakages from these points.

Wall Cracks

Rain water has the tendency to enter into the building through the external wall cracks and cause dampness to the bathroom and other areas of the home.

Leakage from Adjacent Bathrooms

Whether it is a high-rise building or an independent house, any leakage from an adjacent bathroom on the same floor or from the immediate floor above the bathroom may cause dampness.

What are the Solution to Damp in Bathroom Walls?

• One of the best ways to control dampness is by tiling the bathroom walls from floor-to-ceiling. Before the tile installation, install a plastic or elastometric sheet membrane on the substrate.
• Use epoxy grout for tile grouting as it includes epoxy resins which combine with filler powder to form a waterproof grout.
• Ensure proper drainage by providing an adequate slope to the flooring so that all the water flows towards the drain pipe.

Therefore tiled floor and walls can transform into an impervious layer which form the waterproof surfaces of the bathroom.