MICROCEMENT IN THE BATHROOM STEP BY STEP
In the bathroom, as in any other room, proper preparation of the substrate before applying microcement is key to achieving a durable finish. Below, we'll discuss the steps needed for proper surface preparation and the process of applying microcement in the bathroom. We will also talk about the necessary microcement kits for the bathroom and the tools needed when working with this material.
1. ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF THE SUBSTRATE
How do you prepare the substrate for microcement in wet areas?
Proper assessment of the quality of the substrate is crucial and decisive for the entire renovation process. The substrate for microcement should be load-bearing, without loose elements, the screed should not be too fresh (wait a minimum of 28 days). Make sure the substrate is clean, dry and stable to guarantee the durability and strength of the applied microcement layer. If the substrate is of questionable quality or if you are not confident in your skills in preparing it, it is better not to take any risks as this may result in cracks or other problems. If you have a cracked substrate, we recommend using a substrate reinforcement kit before applying the microcement: FEST KONTACT with mesh (dedicated for walls) or FESTFLOOR BASE with fibreglass mesh (dedicated for floor). Detailed instructions for their application can be found in the technical sheets of the products. You can also buy a ready-to-use HYDROFEST microcement kit for the bathroom, including products for reinforcing the substrate: a kit for the floor or a kit for the walls.
2. SURFACE PROTECTION AROUND
Any finishing work requires adequate protection of the surfaces around it against accidental dirt or damage. Protect door frames, windows and other areas with a good painter's tape that adheres securely to the surface to be protected and will not leave marks. If you are working on a wall, protect the floor with thick plastic sheeting or painter's felt, which will minimise the risk of damage and make the renovation process easier.
3. PRIMING AND APPLICATION OF WATERPROOFING TAPES
Before reinforcing the substrate and applying the microcement, it is necessary to properly prime the substrate with our primer, FESTGRUNT. Coating with primer will ensure better adhesion of subsequent layers and reduce the absorbency of the substrate. The primed surface should be smooth, free of dust and other dirt. FESTGRUNT should be applied evenly with a roller or brush and left to dry for approximately 2 to 4 hours.
Once the primer has dried, you can proceed to paste waterproofing tapes around the drain, as well as in the corners: at the wall and wall-to-floor joints. HYDROFEST microcement does not require waterproofing over the entire surface. The tapes are pasted in place using HYDROFEST compound (you can see instruction in our video). Then sand and vacuum after drying.
4. REINFORCING THE SUBSTRATE
After the tapes have been pasted in, the substrate is reinforced:
- FLOORING
To reinforce the substrate for the application of microcement on the floor, use FESTFLOOR BASE with fibreglass mesh. FESTFLOOR BASE with mesh is dedicated to weak and cracked floors, to floors with underfloor heating, to cement, anhydrite and self-levelling screeds, as well as to tiles. You can find out how to do this from the product data sheet or our video:
“How to check and prepare the substrate for microcement?” (don’t forget turn on subtitles in your language)
- WALLS [optional].
If the walls are cracked (which often also comes out after priming), reinforce them with FEST KONTAKT tack bridge also with fibreglass mesh. The bridge with mesh will work well for reinforcing walls with ceramic tiles (in the case of microcement application on tiles) and wood-based panels (OSB, MDF, etc.).
You can see how to apply FEST KONTAKT with mesh on bathroom walls in our video:
“HYDROFEST: water-resistant microcement for bathrooms - how to lay?” (don’t forget turn on subtitles in your language)
Both options effectively prevent cracks from the primer from penetrating the microcement surface.
5. APPLICATION OF HYDROFEST MICROCEMENT
The next step is the application of HYDROFEST microcement. This is a single-component, coloured, water-resistant and ready-to-use microcement, ideal for wet areas: as a water-resistant finish for walls and floors, especially in the shower, and also as a finish for bathroom worktops.
The HYDROFEST mix should be spread over the entire surface using a trowel to a thickness of no more than 1 mm. Application should be carried out with rapid, vigorous movements in different directions, adjusting to the desired effect.
After about 4 hours, when the material has completely set and dried, it is recommended to sand the surface with an eccentric sander with sandpaper of 60-120 gradation. After sanding, the surface should be thoroughly vacuumed and another layer of microcement should be applied, following the same procedure as for the first layer.
Once the second coat has dried, depending on the desired effect, sand the entire surface with an eccentric sander with 80 grit or higher and vacuum thoroughly. Once this has been done, the micro-cement can be impregnated.
See ready-to-use HYDROFEST microcement sets for the bathroom.
You can see how to apply HYDROFEST in our video:
“How to apply HYDROFEST micro-cement” (don’t forget turn on subtitles in your language)
6. SEALING
The next step is to impregnate the microcement. In an area that is particularly exposed to water, such as the bathroom, we recommend using a primer for the sealer - FESTPRIMER, which strengthens the varnish's resistance to water and dirt.
Once the primer has dried, the varnish can be applied.
⋅ For the shower floor, as well as the entire bathroom, we recommend using the two-component solvent-based sealer PU FEST TURBO with NANO SILVER PLUS SB. This additive contains silver nanoparticles, which provide protection against microorganisms.
⋅ In the case of walls, it is sufficient to apply two layers of PU FEST 2K sealer with NANO SILVER PLUS WB with antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Proper protection of the microcement with varnish not only guarantees effective protection against moisture, but also contributes to prolonging the life of the microcement. To apply the sealer, we use a good quality roller, preferably made of microfibre, with a bristle length of 8 mm. To avoid leaving the bristles from the roller on the painted surface, wrap the roller with painter's tape and gently remove any loose fibres from the roller. Read also: Mistakes when sealing microcement - don't do it!
Before using paint, read the technical data sheets of these products.
Before you start work, read the product data sheets and instructional videos on our YouTube channel. If you have any questions, we also invite you to contact us or attend a training course on the basics of microcement. Sign up to ‘Notify availability’ to be notified when the training is scheduled.
TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES FOR WORKING WITH MICROCEMENT
Choosing the right tools is an important part of the whole process of working with microcement, influencing the final effect of the finish. So it is worth betting on the highest quality tools and accessories. You will need:
Trowel - the basic tool for micro-cement application. The micro-cement trowel is the tool that allows us to shape the material and determines the visual effect we achieve on the surface. Whether the surface is smooth and uniform or has unique scorch marks depends on our technique.
Construction mixers - allow fast and precise mixing of glue, resins and microcement. They effectively spread and mix the mass, eliminating lumps and ensuring a uniform consistency. Our mixers have a HEX mount and can be mounted on a drill chuck.
Microfibre rollers - primarily needed for the application of undercoat and varnish. A good quality roller ensures optimum varnish consumption, covers the entire surface thoroughly with the preparation and does not dust or leave loose bristles on the varnish-impregnated surface.
Cuvette - designed for spreading varnish. The profiled and grooved bottom collects excess product, helping to distribute it evenly on the roller. This optimises varnish consumption and avoids splashing. Made of high-quality plastic, it is durable and easy to clean.
Painter's tape - robust masking tape for protecting window profiles and frames and other surfaces from dirt and grime. A good tape should be durable, adhere well to the surface to be protected and leave no marks on the surface.
Diamond polishing pads - used for polishing and grinding surfaces such as concrete, microcement, stone, stoneware and granite. Polishing pads are valued for their durability and ability to effectively work hard materials. In the case of microcement, it is necessary to grind each layer of it to achieve an even surface.
Abrasive discs - designed for sanding microcement, stone, wood or plastic surfaces. When choosing an abrasive disc, it is important to take into account various factors such as the material you want to sand, the grit level of the paper and the type of tool you will be working with.