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Can you paint over waterproofing in a bathroom?

We are about to renovate our bathroom, demolish everything and replace everything. The vanity and toilet will be against the same wall. I understand I need to install a waterproof membrane on the wall with the vanity and toilet and the walls around the bath/shower. But I am not keen on tiling the entire area that is to be waterproofed.

So my question is can I install tiles to the bath/shower walls, front of the bath, splashback behind the vanity and a tile kicker around the entire bathroom and paint the remaining walls? So not tile behind the vanity and behind the toilet but paint this space instead.

My builder says tiling is the only way to "hide the waterproofing" not sure why painting wouldn't "hide the waterproofing".

Look forward to your words of wisdom.

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Accepted answers

JacobZ

Hi @Andy25,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It's not so much that you can't paint over waterproofing, which, fundamentally, you can; it's that the finish would look pretty poor.

Waterproofing membrane is a rough product that doesn't set smoothly, and you can't sand it because it is rubberised, so it would split.

If you were to paint over it, the paint would stick, but it would follow whatever shape the membrane set in underneath, with lumps, bumps and depressions all over.

Unfortunately, you will probably have to follow your builder's advice here.

Allow me to tag some of our experienced members for their thoughts - @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @TedBear.

Jacob

All comments

JacobZ

Hi @Andy25,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It's not so much that you can't paint over waterproofing, which, fundamentally, you can; it's that the finish would look pretty poor.

Waterproofing membrane is a rough product that doesn't set smoothly, and you can't sand it because it is rubberised, so it would split.

If you were to paint over it, the paint would stick, but it would follow whatever shape the membrane set in underneath, with lumps, bumps and depressions all over.

Unfortunately, you will probably have to follow your builder's advice here.

Allow me to tag some of our experienced members for their thoughts - @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @TedBear.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good afternoon @Andy25

I can picture what you are wanting but I am ending up in the same place as @JacobZ has laid out.

The waterproofing will need to be signed off by a plumber with the right certifications for it to be recognised by your insurer so maybe have a chat with them about what has to be waterproofed and how high? That way you could get away hopefully with some smooth areas to paint.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @Andy25

I agree with both your builder and all the comments made by @JacobZ

Painted waterproofing is simply not a suitable finished surface both cosmetically and for cleaning. Especially in a room that will have a lot of moist air which will make dust etc stick and build up.

That said, waterproofing is generally not required full height behind other areas other than the shower recess. But this could vary depending on region and specific build requirements often with multi-story dwellings.

Nailbag

Andy25

Thanks all really appreciate your words of wisdom:)

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