Let’s talk about bathroom insulating and waterproofing!

Due to their functions, bathrooms are constantly exposed to water and humidity. Therefore, their design and construction should consider this to prevent mold growth and heat + energy loss.

Insulating

Insulating wall cavities prevent the transfer of hot or cold air to or from your bathroom and any moisture accompanying this air. Spray foam insulation is a good choice for wall cavities as it doesn’t allow any air to flow through it (which is a characteristic of fiberglass insulation). 

Sealing around windows and fixtures such as pocket lights will help prevent air leakage to the attic or outside that could offset your efforts of insulating your bathroom walls.

Wrapping pipe insulation around water pipes that flow through unheated or un-insulated spaces can help prevent energy loss, especially if these pipes carry hot water. Putting an insulating jacket on your tank water heater can also help increase its efficiency, preventing heat loss and the need for re-heating often when in standby mode.

Finally, of course, the eventual replacement of your tank water heater with a tankless or on-demand water heater is the best way to improve water use and energy efficiency when heating water.

Water Proofing

Any wall insulation should include a vapor barrier, which should be installed on the warm side of the insulation to prevent condensation from occurring when hot air meets cold air. In addition, waterproof housing for any light fixtures above the shower protects electrical wiring from steam. 

The backing of showers or bath areas (what goes behind the tile) should also be waterproof to prevent molding within the wall.

All material choices in your bathroom ideally need to be water-resistant. This includes flooring, countertops, cabinets, and even wall covering. 

Ceramic tile and natural stone flooring are good water-resistant options and can be sealed with products low in toxins and VOCs. These same materials can also be used for countertops.

Cabinets should be exterior grade plywood (with higher rot resistance than low grade) or solid wood. Cabinets can also be sealed with low VOC wood finishes or painted with durable, low VOC paint. Wall paper should be avoided in your bathroom, as moisture can cause mold build-up behind it and warp the paper. Instead, paint your walls or consider tiling them.

Ventilation is also crucial for managing humidity! A ventilating fan that exhausts air to the outside should be included in your bathrooms.

Poor moisture control in the bathroom and insulation choices lead to mold, mildew, and health problems.

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