Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Schluter-Systems | Subject: Integrity of floor drains
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 October 2004
Ensure Waterproof Seals In Bathroom
Drains
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager for Schluter-Systems answers questions on ensuring the long-lasting integrity of floor drains.
Previously we have highlighted the need to waterproof the substrate when tiling bathroom floors But all that good waterproofing work could go to waste if there isn't a long-term waterproof seal on drain systems
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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-- world market leader in tiling solutions -- answers your questions on ensuring the long-lasting integrity of floor drains.
Q I've had trouble in the past achieving a waterproof seal between the drain in tiled floors and the waterproofing membrane.
What can I do? A Trying to achieve such a waterproof seal has caused many people many problems for a long time.
But technology has now been brought right up to date with the development of a floor drain system specially-designed to solve this problem.
The new system's upper assemblies incorporate an integrated bonding flange on the top surface, which provides a secure bond between the drain and the waterproofing membranes.
The drain housings come with or without odour traps, and the system can connect to both horizontal and vertical pipework.
Known as the Schluter-KERDI-DRAIN, it enables installers to offer a guaranteed waterproof connection on ceramic tile, natural stone, and other surface coatings.
Q The problem is, though, that the shower's on a timber substrate on the first floor.
A No problem now.
Conventional methods have proved difficult and expensive in the past, because rigid surfaces over timber suffer from problems of movement which causes the tiles to crack and become debonded.
But using this new drainage system with a waterproofing membrane which also serves as an uncoupling mat - such as Schluter-DITRA - the bonded flange on the drain is simply installed flush to the substrate surface using a sealing collar to produce an impervious connection with the waterproofing membrane.
It works just as well on timber, as with any other type of substrate and screed.
And, because it's a modular system it can be configured for every requirement, providing a sealed waterproof drain for all sorts of wet areas, both domestic and commercial, including apartments, hotels, schools, and washing and shower installations for indoor swimming pools, as well as terraces, patios and balconies.
Q What viable alternatives are there? A This system was designed specifically to enable builders and other installers to offer a guaranteed waterproof connection, whether the actual waterproofing is a membrane or liquid-applied system, on a wide variety of substrates.
However, liquid-applied membranes can't really be used over timber because of movement, and board joints.
Other scenarios, such as a tiled waterproof tray on top of the floor, are feasible, but expensive.
Q Can this system be used on existing drains which are leaking? A If the pipes and the drain itself are all intact then the likeliest explanation is that the connection between the drain and the waterproofing membrane has broken down.
If the old drain was installed with Schluter-DITRA matting you could easily take up a few tiles and reseal the drain using the sealing collar component of the new modular system.
However, if the waterproofing was liquid-applied it's not so easy, because you'll probably end up pulling it away as you lift the tiles.
It's likely that you'll need a new waterproofing membrane, new tiles and new drain.
Thanks to modern technology, you can now prevent that problem occurring in the future, which is far more cost-effective than the cure.
* While this system can also drain surface water from outdoor areas such as patios, terraces and balconies, that type of external installation can also suffer from a different sort of drainage problem. Request a free brochure from Schluter-Systems ...
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