How to complete laundry renovation on a budget?

[Louise88]

Hi, 

I need a little help please. I am about to start a DIY renovation of this bathroom/laundry on a budget. Right now I am struggling with the lack of laundry storage and the small gap between the washing machine and the shower. 

I am thinking to save money I will paint the walls and tiles and install a new vanity of the same size. I thought installing a narrower laundry sink and then having a benchtop over the washing machine would be good but I can't find any cabinet on Kaboodle or anywhere else that is designed for a washing machine? 

I'm happy to pay for a plumber/electrivian to change the position of the taps/outlet to streamline the laundry section and make every look neater. I'm happy to replace the tiles above the laundry sink as well. 

Happy to hear any advice or ideas on how I can transform this space! I'm also wondering what is the best order to do all of this?

Thanks!

Thank you

[EricL]

Hello @Louise88 

Before you start tiling, it’s a good idea to check with your local council to make sure you’re following the proper regulations for laundry waterproofing in your area.

Since you’re retiling the wall, you’ll want a cement-based patching compound that provides a strong, stable surface for tile adhesion. Bunnings stocks the Dunlop Ardit Rapidset Repair Mortar, which is designed for filling gouges and uneven surfaces in concrete and masonry. It bonds well to the existing surface and provides a solid base for tile adhesive. If the damaged areas are deeper than 10mm, apply it in layers, allowing each layer to set before adding the next.

Before applying the patch, clean the surface thoroughly and dampen it slightly to improve adhesion. Use a steel trowel or wide scraper to spread the mix evenly over the gouges, ensuring a level surface for the new tiles. In regards to the gap near the window, I suggest covering it with a piece of timber so that there will be something for grout to land on when the tile gaps are being filled.

My best advice is to make sure to give the mortar patch enough time to cure before you begin tiling. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Louise88]

Hi Eric, 

Thanks so much for the quick reply and the advice. 

I've had a look at the requirements for waterproofing and it states that the floor of the room must be water resistant - my subfloor is concrete so I'm ok there. 

It also says that walls adjoining 'vessels' like a sink need to be water resistant to a height of at least 150mm.

But that wall junctions where a vessel is fixed to a wall must be waterproofed as well as tap and spout penetrations. 

So I am reading that as the corner next to where the laundry sink will be installed as well as around where the water pipes come out will need to be waterproofed.  

This begs the question - how does one waterproof a concrete wall? Am I right in thinking I will need to patch up the holes in the concrete, then apply plaster over the top and then waterproof those areas before tiling? 

If there are sections of the wall higher up which will end up being painted instead of tiles, is the process the same?

And is it recommended to get rid of the old plaster where the tiles were before starting any of this?

Apologies for all the questions and thanks again!

Louise 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Louise88,

Waterproofing a concrete wall in a laundry involves a few key steps to ensure it meets the required standards and protects your walls from moisture damage. You're absolutely right in your interpretation of the requirements. The corner where the laundry sink will be installed, along with the areas around the water pipes, need to be waterproofed.

To get started, you'll first need to patch any holes or uneven areas in the concrete using a cement-based patching compound like Dunlop Ardit Rapidset Repair Mortar. Once the surface is smooth and level, you can apply a waterproofing membrane to the required areas. Typically, this involves using a brush or roller to coat the junctions, corners, and any pipe penetrations with a suitable waterproofing product, ensuring you follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding thickness and drying time.

For areas that will be tiled, the waterproofing membrane should extend at least 150mm up the wall. If you're painting the walls above the tiled sections, you can simply apply plaster to create a smooth finish after patching the concrete. Waterproofing isn't necessary for these upper sections unless they are exposed to water spray. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell