Proper attention to waterproofing (tanking) is essential to achieve a successful wetroom project.
A tiled surface is not a barrier to the penetration of moisture and tile adhesive and grout will not prevent the transmission of water through to the substrate beneath the tiles. Where this substrate is known to be sensitive, the application of a protective waterproof membrane will ensure the durability and stability of the substrate supporting both wall and floor tiles.
The requirement to use a proprietary tanking system in frequently wet areas, such as showers and wet-rooms, is part of the current British Standard BS 5385‐1:2018. The changes which were brought in with this standard were aimed at promoting best practice to ensure that substrates receiving a tiled surface would provide a long-lasting leak-free tiled structure.
Palace Chemicals, an independent manufacturer of tiling, building, construction and DIY products, offers a range of products designed to help the wetroom designer and tile fixer achieve a waterproof and long-lasting result.
Key products from the range include Palace Shower-Tight, a waterproof barrier system developed to protect sensitive substrates in tiled areas such as showers, bathrooms, wet-rooms and kitchen utility areas. It’s suitable for tanking a single shower cubicle or an over-bath shower.
The system comprises a one litre Tilers Primer, two and a half litres of grey flexible latex waterproof coating, one sqm super strong polyester mat, complete with 10 metres of polyester tape to reinforce seams in joints around wall floor junctions as well as corners. This protective membrane is said to inhibit the passage of moisture from within the tiled area through to surfaces and structures which may be sensitive to the effects of prolonged water migration. In total, it provides four sqm coverage.
If a full wetroom installation is being undertaken, Palace says its Wet-Room Tanking Kit is the best product to use. This is a combined waterproof membrane system designed to protect tiled areas in locations such as wetrooms, showers, bathrooms, and kitchen utility areas. The product is designed to inhibit the passage of moisture from within the tiled area, into all types of substrate such as plaster, render, plasterboard, tile backer boards, timber, suspended floors, concrete floors and plywood overlays.
This system consists of a one litre Tilers Primer, five litres grey flexible latex waterproof coating, two rubber/polyester pipe covers and two five-metre lengths of rubber/polyester tape to reinforce seams in joints around wall floor junctions. The overall coverage is eight sqm.
The built-in flexibility of the system reportedly accommodates a level of movement and vibration, providing a solvent-free base for fixing wall and floor tiles. The polyester reinforced tape also provides crack-bridging protection for all wall & floor joints. This system is available in larger sizes for commercial projects such as swimming pools.
“With the continuing growth of wet-rooms in the UK, we are seeing a corresponding increase in incidents where the installation has not been satisfactory – and very often this is caused by water or moisture getting into the substrate behind the tiles,” says Steve Ball, commercial director at Palace Chemicals. “These issues are very difficult to solve post-installation but can be easily prevented at the design and installation stage with the use of one or other of our easy-to-use tanking systems.”
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