Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Schluter-Systems | Subject: Making Tiled Walls Waterproof
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 May 2004
Making Tiled Walls Waterproof
Builders and tilers are often surprised to learn that tiled surfaces cannot be guaranteed waterproof. Learn how the correct use of impervious membranes ensures that tiled walls will be waterproof.
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager for Schluter-Systems, looks at how the correct use of impervious membranes ensures that tiled walls will be waterproof Q
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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I'm tiling the walls in a bathroom, and will be using impervious grout and water-resistant adhesive, so I don't need to worry about any other form of waterproofing, do I? A.
Impervious grout and water-resistant adhesive don't necessarily stop water seeping through into the fabric of a building, especially where modern, high-performance power showers throw out a lot of water at high force.
So, yes, you do need to ensure that the walls have been properly waterproofed.
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Stone floor cracking or debonding from substrate
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter - Systems, says very often stone floors crack or debond because installers have not fitted an uncoupling membrane, or movement joints correctly
Q.
How can I do that? A.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) recommends the use of impervious membranes such as the polyethylene Schluter-KERDI and Schluter-DITRA.
BSI also says that further advice should be sought from specialists in the waterproofing field.
As the world market-leader in tiling accessories, Schluter is regularly called upon by specifiers to advise about waterproofing on particular projects.
Generally, waterproofing is a matter of education -- first of all about the overall need for it, and secondly which type of membranes to use.
For instance, as well as protecting tiled walls, Schluter-KERDI also protects surfaces such as renders, plasters and plaster-board, whereas Schluter-DITRA can be used for uncoupling tiled floors from problem subfloors, such as timber.
In fact, we're getting so many questions about waterproofing and uncoupling tiled floors that we'll look at that in more depth over the coming months.
Q.
What sort of damage can occur if the walls aren't properly waterproofed? A.
We were recently discussing a problem at a private house where water was dripping heavily from a first-floor shower cubicle into a garage below every time the power shower was used.
The sealant between the shower base and tiled wall was leaking, meaning water was finding its way to the room below.
It's discoloured the plaster on the garage ceiling and wall -- no real problem in a garage -- but what if it had been a lounge? Correctly installed waterproofing membrane prevents this damage.
Q.
Installing these protective membranes obviously helps builders make more profit, but from the householder's point of view it all adds to the cost of the job.
How can we convince our customers that they are necessary? A.
All householders who've suffered water damage because of the lack of waterproofing would readily agree that prevention is better than the cure.
The problem is that many builders don't offer waterproofing as an option in the domestic market, yet our research shows that the public generally think of a tiled surface as being waterproof.
How about including photographs of damage caused by water seepage in your portfolio.
Then when you're discussing price with customers you can illustrate the waterproofing option.
Q.
Are there any alternatives to using impervious membranes? A.
Other forms of waterproofing include brush-applied liquid.
This, essentially, does the same job as the flexible membranes quoted in the BSI code, but will normally take longer, because each coat usually requires a drying time before tiling can start.
Q.
How easy are these membranes to install? A.
If you use Schluter-KERDI, it has a fleece fabric on both sides, for easy anchorage into the tile adhesive.
It doesn't rot, doesn't become brittle, and because it is extremely flexible it can bridge over cracks.
Press the membrane into the adhesive over the whole surface, sticking additional strips down with a 5cm overlap, securing the joins with Schluter-KERDI tape.
Special sections are available for internal and external corners.
If the area is likely to be subjected to particularly large quantities of water it's recommended that the joint covering is stuck down with epoxy resin adhesive.
The tiles should then be solidly embedded on the front side of the membrane using hydraulic tile adhesive.
You'll make additional profit on the job, and if everything is installed correctly your customer will have a properly waterproofed wall. Request a free brochure from Schluter-Systems ...
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