Types of primers for wet rooms and a rating of the best brands, how to apply them

Premises characterized by high humidity require special treatment. To make the finish as durable as possible, it is important to ensure good waterproofing. The choice of a wet room primer should be treated with great care. This substance must be hydrophobic. In addition, when buying a composition, it is worth considering the type of surface to be treated.

Properties and functions of a water-repellent primer

The primer is an opaque mass of liquid consistency. On contact with the surface, it penetrates deep into the base. A water-repellent film then appears. It is a protective barrier.

The composition is most often used for processing concrete surfaces in the bathroom or kitchen.It is used in rooms with high humidity or for facade work. In addition to stone and concrete, it is allowed to use the floor for other surfaces - wood, plasterboard, plastic.

With the help of the substance, it is possible to avoid the destruction of the coating, which is faced with constant exposure to water. Unique soil characteristics are important when performing such types of work:

laying tiles in the bathroom or kitchen;
finishing of building facades;
decoration of premises;
the need to apply paints and varnishes.

Purpose and scope

Using a primer helps achieve dust repellency, durability, and moisture resistance in a variety of coatings. These include in particular the following:

brick;
dense and porous concrete;
cement-sand screeds;
vibrocast and vibropressed plates.

Advantages and disadvantages of using soil for wet rooms

The use of a hydrophobic primer has the following advantages:

Increased adhesion between topcoats. This property is especially important if the bathroom or toilet has uneven walls or floors. In such a situation, a thick layer of leveling materials will be required to achieve a flawless surface.
Moisture protection. Such treatment makes it possible to reduce the water absorption parameters of the surface. This helps to normalize the indoor climate.
Reduced spraying and exposure to chemical elements. This effect is observed in the case of applying a primer to a concrete floor without further finishing.
Increase the overall stability of the structure. This is due to the reinforcement of polymer complexes.

At the same time, the use of a wet room primer has a number of disadvantages. The main disadvantages are:

Labor intensity of the process.Self-priming takes a lot of time and effort. This leads to an increase in the cost of the work.
Vapor permeability of certain formulations after polymerization. As a result, the humidity parameters increase. To get rid of excess moisture, it is necessary to organize forced ventilation.
The high cost of imported formulations. If you want to save money, it is better to give preference to household floors.

Varieties of water repellents and their characteristics

Today there are many effective products on sale that differ in composition and properties. This helps you choose the best option, taking into account your goals and objectives.

Organic

Acrylic and epoxy compounds are considered the basis of organic mixtures. Polyurethane is also used for their production. Such substances fill the pores and facilitate the bonding of cement dust. This makes the coating more durable. The main advantages of organic substances are:

high degree of strength;
low moisture permeability;
almost complete absence of shrinkage;
absence of a pungent odor during application;
resistance to mechanical factors;
decorative - such a primer gives the coating a glossy texture.

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Inorganic

Among the variety of inorganic primers, acrylics are considered the most popular. They have the most affordable cost. However, such formulations cannot be called durable. Already after 2-3 years they need to be applied again.

For inorganic soil types, the following properties are characteristic:

increase the protective properties of concrete surfaces against the influence of aggressive factors;
prevention of the appearance of concrete dust.

Concrete contact

This substance ensures excellent contact between paints and varnishes and the surface to be treated. For the manufacture of this type of flooring, acrylic dispersion and filler are used. Its functions are performed by cement and quartz sand.

bituminous primers

This substance is ready to use. Unlike conventional bitumen, the composition does not need to be heated. Mix well before use. It is distinguished by its convenience and ease of application. The "liquid glass" solution is as close as possible to foaming compositions. It is mainly used to treat the walls and bottom of swimming pools.

Deep Penetrating Floors

These products are usually made on the basis of acrylic resins. Particles of these compounds can reach a surface depth of up to 2 centimeters.

Polyurethane

Such a floor is considered universal. It can be used for almost any substrate with varying levels of porosity and absorption. The substance is also convenient to use on concrete and wooden surfaces.

The primer can be used for both external and internal work, and it is considered quite durable. The main disadvantage is the long drying time.

Selection recommendations

To choose a high-quality waterproofing compound, one should take into account the characteristics of the surface to be treated.

For wood

Most often, the primer is applied to wooden surfaces before painting the floor or when restoring furniture. The substance has the following advantages:

prevention of the development of mold in the pores;
antiseptic properties;
prevention of the appearance of cracks in the tree;
reduce varnish and paint consumption;
improve the appearance of wooden surfaces.

For drywall

Using a special primer for processing plasterboard has the following advantages:

strengthen the seams of the sheets;
protection of drywall from microorganisms that can multiply in it;
strengthen the walls;
increased moisture resistance - the composition can be used for surface treatment in the kitchen, toilet or bathroom;
prevent the wallpaper from peeling off.

For bathroom and WC

Such rooms are characterized by high humidity. Therefore, the moisture resistance of the walls should be taken very carefully and the correct primer should be chosen. It must have the following properties:

antifungal composition - mold often appears in rooms with high humidity;
moisture-resistant and water-repellent properties;
increase the adhesion of walls and paints and varnishes or tiles when water hits the surface - cold or hot.

For concrete

On the surface, concrete appears to be a very strong material. However, it is characterized by a rather porous structure. Since the absorbent properties of the material are very high, it can be destroyed by frequent ingress of moisture. In addition, when a dye is applied to a concrete surface, its costs increase significantly. In such a situation, it will not be possible to do without a primer.

Generally, penetrating mixes are used for concrete. When choosing them, you should focus on the following parameters:

when using concrete of grades M-150 and M-300, preference should be given to epoxy and polyurethane primer;
when performing finishing work at low temperatures, the floor with normal penetration is suitable;
the operating conditions and the surface load are of great importance;
When processing flooring in industrial premises, it is important to take into account shock, vibration and other similar factors.

For the walls

The walls are less stressed than the floor. However, you still need to use a primer to treat them. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain the following results:

make the surface of the walls smoother and smoother;
increase the strength of the walls;
simplify the application of the dye;
glue wallpaper more evenly and increase the reliability of their fixation;
to hide some design flaws.

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For the floor

For the bathroom, deep-penetrating materials are suitable, while in the nursery it is better to use antiseptic substances. In an unheated dacha, the most rational solution will be an antifungal composition.

Ranking of the best brands

Today there are many effective formulations on sale that can be used in rooms with high humidity. The most effective remedies include:

Ceresit CT-17 is a versatile substance that can penetrate even the smallest pores in concrete. The composition does not cause blockage of vapor and gas exchange processes. Thanks to this, the coating is breathable. Due to the presence of a coloring pigment in the composition, the primer is easy to apply. This composition has 2 modifications - summer and frost-resistant.
"Lacra" is a polyurethane-based impregnation primer. The composition protects the concrete from the appearance of fungus and mold. Due to the antiseptic components in the composition, the substance is perfect for baths, bathrooms, loggias.
Knauf Tiefengrud is a multi-purpose water-repellent primer that helps prepare the substrate for tile, paint and wallpaper. The substance has excellent penetrating characteristics. Therefore, the composition should be used for very hygroscopic coatings.
Knauf Betonokontakt - the dispersion includes quartz sand and polymers. The composition should be used for poorly absorbent textures. The primer of this brand is used for interior work. It is also allowed to use it at the stage of preparing walls and ceilings for finishing with gypsum stucco moldings.

How to properly prime for waterproofing

The waterproofing primer is an essential material used when renovating premises with high humidity. It is used for bathrooms, baths, kitchens. The composition is also suitable for outdoor work.

It is necessary to apply a waterproofing primer to the prepared surface. To do this, it is recommended to clean, degrease and sand it. Plaster helps to eliminate large cracks.

After applying the substance, its water-repellent characteristics appear after 12 hours. If it is necessary to add soil to the building compositions, it is important to take into account that its share should not exceed 4% of the total amount. It is recommended to mix the substance well before use.

For application it is permissible to use a roller, brush or spray. In this case, the temperature parameters should be at least +5 degrees.

Primer is a fire and explosive substance. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the material away from fire sources. Also, the composition should not be mixed with solvents or thinners. You should not additionally use other types of mixtures.

Soil consumption and features of the preparation of the solution

A number of factors influence the use of a substance. These include in particular the following:

surface structure - the floor is applied to wood, concrete, metal and other materials;
air temperature;
composition and type of primer.

The approximate consumption of different types of primer per square meter looks like this:

concrete contact - 350 grams;
alkyd - 120 grams;
scattered - 100 grams;
for wallpaper - 120 grams;
for metal - 120 grams;
for decorative plaster - 200 grams.

Before application, the primer in the container must be thoroughly mixed. During storage, some formulations peel off.

Tools required

To get the desired results, it is recommended to prepare everything you need:

brushes - you will need both thin and wide tools for working;
long-handled roller;
container for primer;
cloth.

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Before starting repair work, the room must be ventilated. In this case, the minimum temperature parameters should be +5 degrees.

Surface preparation

Before treating the walls, floor or facade with hydrophobic material, it is important to clearly carry out the preparatory work. The final result depends on their quality.

At the preparation stage, it is recommended to do the following:

Clean the surface of dirt - dust, debris, stains.
Remove old plaster particles from the protrusions.
Sand the surface with sandpaper.
Cover cracks and chips with plaster. If necessary, the coating should be leveled using a cement compound.
After the surface is completely dry, sand it again with emery paper.
Remove all dust with a damp cloth.

Priming technique

Before using the primer, read the instructions on the container. The substance is explosive. Therefore, the composition should be kept as far as possible from sources of fire. First of all, the composition must be mixed. If necessary, mix it with water or add a solvent.

Many floors are sold ready to use, so it is permissible to use them straight away. However, it is recommended to add a special hardener to the two-component composition.

Before starting work, the solution should be poured into a tray, thoroughly dip the roller in it and start work. It is recommended to apply the waterproof primer by brush or roller. It must be done in a thin layer. If you need to cover a large area, use a spray bottle. If a water-repellent compound is used to process the walls or ceilings, then it is worth covering the floor with foil.

It is recommended to apply the solution in a thin layer, without streaks, to avoid dry patches. It is also important to avoid the formation of burrs. It is recommended to apply the primer in difficult places with a brush.

After the first coat is completely dry, it is important to examine the appearance of the surface. If properly primed and not sticky, no further coats are needed. Already after 12 hours the floor will show its water-repellent characteristics.

The solution should not be used if it is completely frozen.Such a soil is characterized by a complete loss of its protective characteristics, therefore it must be removed.

Coat drying time

The following factors affect the drying time of the primer:

Weather conditions. Under the influence of high or low temperatures, the soil dries out for a very long time.
Layer thickness. The less primer applied, the faster the material dries.
Composition of the soil.Special components are added to the substance, which quickly evaporate.
Drying time and surface structure. The deeper the mixture penetrates the surface structure, the faster it dries.

As a rule, information on the approximate drying time of the primer is present on the packaging. In addition, this period is affected by the type of substance. Types of acrylic primers dry in 5 hours. In this case, alkyd substances require much more time - at least 20 hours. An important criterion is the air temperature in the room.

It is the glycphthalic soil that dries the longest. It will take more than a day for the substance to dry. Water-based products work the fastest. After applying them, you can paste the wallpaper after 20 minutes.

Continuation of work

Further work is carried out only after the mixture is completely dry. After applying the primer, you can glue wallpaper, lay ceramic tiles or use paints and varnishes.

Recommendations from the masters

When using potting soil for wet rooms, it is important to follow a number of recommendations:

Many formulations are toxic. Therefore, it is necessary to work with them in glasses, gloves and a respirator.
If the primer comes into contact with the skin, the affected area should be rinsed with running water.
Work should be carried out at a temperature of + 5-35 degrees.
It is important to avoid freezing the packaging with the material. This leads to its partial polymerization and loss of properties.

Using a wet room primer helps prepare surfaces for finishing work. In this case, it is very important to choose the right composition and strictly follow the instructions for its application.

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