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How to stop water seeping in sunroom?

Photo # 1 Photo # 2Photo # 3Photo # 4

Photo # 5.jpeg

Water seeping through from outside to the sunroom inside (via a cracked tiles).

- Photo # 1 is the backyard and is a tiled area. Under the tiles, its concrete. Sunroom is sitting on this tiled area.
- Photo # 2 is the sunroom.
- Photo # 4 is where the water sometimes sits and grout outside sunroom are worn out.

After the sunroom upgrade (Insulated wall and roof installation), water was entering from under the Sunroom's insulated wall and I used silicone outside and inside to seal the sunroom. There is a gutter about 2m away from the sliding door. The slope is slightly towards the Sunroom door hence the water during heavy rain sits near the door and slowly runs parallel to the door and make its way to the gutter. After the sealing, water did not enter the sunroom from under the wall. But now the water comes via this cracked tile (shown in Photo # 3 and # 5) inside the sunroom. It made a decent size puddle inside even though it looks a very small crack. Its definitely rain water and I get the impression that water is travelling via the outside grouts to inside tiles, not sure.

Question:

1) Undo n redo the tiles and fixing the slope will require a lot of effort\$$. Can the slope be fixed with reasonable priced alternative?

2) If slope can't be fixed with not-so expensive solution, how can I waterproof the outside tiled area so water can not penetrate the tiles\grouts and travel inside?

Appreciate your help. TIA.

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Comments

EricL

Hello @upgrades

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your sunroom.

I suggest applying Sika 310ml White Sikaflex Pro+ Polyurethane Sealant - 310ml White where the aluminium frame and the tile meet. Apply a thick bead to the entire length to make sure that it is properly sealed. I then recommend using CPC 1L Shower Plug Sealant on the tile and grout outside. It is a clear, brush-on solution that waterproofs tiles and grout. Ideal for use on new and old showers or balconies. Make sure to wash the surface of the tiles with water and detergent before applying the sealer on top. Make sure that the tiles and grout are totally dry before you begin.

I also suggest sealing the tile crack with PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste to prevent the damage from getting bigger. These would be my suggestions to stop rainwater from coming in especially if you are not ready to have your tiled area revamped properly.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/54131#Comment_54131

Thanks a lot for your reply, Eric. So the sequence I understood is:

1) Wash the surface of the tiles with water and detergent before doing anything,

2) Apply Sika 310ml White Sikaflex Pro+ Polyurethane Sealant - 310ml White where the aluminium frame and the tile meet. Apply a thick bead to the entire length to make sure that it is properly sealed.

3) Use CPC 1L Shower Plug Sealant on the tile and grout outside when tiles and grouts are dry,

4) Seal the tile crack with PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste to prevent the damage from getting bigger.

Currently silicone is applied on the entire length of the Sunroom from outside and inside including where the aluminium frame and tile meet as the water isn't coming from any gap there but possibly from somewhere underneath and only when it rains. Will applying Sikaflex Pro+ at the door frame help?

Do I have to re-grout the outside area before I apply the CPC sealant?

Thx.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/89276#Comment_89276

Hello @upgrades

If the silicone seal near the aluminium door is still in good condition, then you can skip the Sikaflex portion. Once you seal the surface of the grout and tile with the CPC sealer it should stop water from flowing through the tile and grout. There is no need to regrout the tile gap unless it is damaged or parts of the grout is missing.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @upgrades

Think Ive come late to the party 🙂 But will throw in my thoughts of ways to fix the leak. Tho I would suggest that @EricL's suggestion is a better one as I hadnbt considered that sealer he has mentioned.

I was going to suggest to cut the grout around the small section of tile that has been broken, (dont break it more if possible) clean the area underneath it and around the tile. Then I was going to suggest to fill the area with some of Dunlop 250g White Ready To Go Tile Adhesive And Grout and replace the broken bit/bits.

Like I said I prefer @EricL 's solution 🙂 His solution also solves the water through other tiles/grout joins.

Dave

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/54144#Comment_54144

Thanks @Dave-1 and @EricL. Legends.

Ok then, change of sequence.

1) Wash the surface of the tiles with water and detergent before doing anything,

2) There is some visible gap between outside tiles and grout seem to be worn out. I think I should re-grout them before applying CPC sealant. Any suggestion for grout products for outside tiled area?

3) Post re-grouting, use CPC 1L Shower Plug Sealant on the tile and grout outside when tiles and grouts are dry,

4) Seal the tile crack with PC-11 56g White Epoxy Paste to prevent the damage from getting bigger.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/89294#Comment_89294

Hi @upgrades,

Sounds like a good plan of attack.

As grouts are cementitious products designed for use in wet areas, the vast majority of them will be suitable for outside use.

You could use a basic product like this Dunlop Ready-To-Go Coloured Grout to replace the damaged grout.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/110430#Comment_110430

Will the CPC sealer be fine on tiles?

Is epoxy grouting better than cementitious product? If yes, what do you suggest?

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/122585#Comment_122585

Hi @upgrades,

Yes, the CPC Shower Plug Sealant is fine for use on both tiles and grout in an outdoor application.

Yes, epoxy grout is typically better for outdoor applications because it is non-porous and doesn't absorb water like cement-based products do. If you are using the sealer with a cement-based grout, then you will be somewhat replicating this effect, but you'd still want to apply the sealer over the tile. The one problem is that epoxy grout does not come in small quantities, so unless you replace a fair amount, there would be some going to waste. If you wanted to use epoxy grout, I'd recommend using the Dunlop Easy Clean Epoxy Grout Kit.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130455#Comment_130455

Thanks @JacobZ . In that case, I am better of working with Cement based grouts and apply sealer.

Based on the area I want to seal, I might need more than 1 litre of CPC Sealer ($118 for 1 Litre). Any decent priced alternative?

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135334#Comment_135334

Hi @upgrades,

This Davco Sanitized Tile And Grout Sealer is a similar product that would work out a bit cheaper.

Jacob

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138594#Comment_138594

Ok. I have done step 1, 2 n 3. Only need to fix the cracked tile now. Shouldn't take too long now.

Waiting for rain now to test, lol.

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140790#Comment_140790

OK, after performing step 1, 2 and 3 (cleaning, removing the grout, re-grouting n sealing the grouts), I didn't fix the cracked tile (photo # 5) yet, I was hoping that water shouldn't get in as there was no visible way of it from the surface to seep through but when it rained continuously for 3-4 days, first 2 days there was no water inside but on a 3rd day, water started seeping through again from the cracked tile and it was a lot.

In a nutshell, all the grouts are done, there is no water coming through the frame but water is still seeping from this cracked tile. I wonder if I fix the cracked tile, will it fix the issue or start leaking from another area? Perplexed as to if there is no water visibly coming through the frame and it's entry is unknown, where else it can come from and how to fix it?

Thanks a lot again.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142412#Comment_142412

Hello @upgrades

Fixing the broken tile could solve the issue. But you also have to remember that water will find the weakest point in your assembly and come out from there. So if there are any weak points in the grout or another section of your tile that is not secure, water will come out through there. I can only advise changing the broken tile and observing once again for any leaks when the rain comes again.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

upgrades

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143554#Comment_143554

Thanks. As you suggested, I will fix the broken tile using PC 11 epoxy paste and observe.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/pc-11-56g-white-epoxy-paste_p1560098

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