BATHROOMS & WETROOMS
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Last year saw Schlüter-Systems open a significantly upgraded training facility at the company’s Coalville premises, featuring multiple room-sets and product rigs which offer attendees the chance to get hands-on with the diverse product lines. Here, Training Manager Andrew Curry outlines 10 top questions from installers on waterproofing and tiling bathrooms or wetrooms.
ANSWERING THE WATERPROOFING CHALLENGE
Schlüter-Systems runs training courses for installers throughout the year with a typical intake including tradespeople like joiners, plumbers, tilers and general builders; and all of them will have wide ranging questions regarding the suitability and benefits of different systems. Interestingly, because we offer such a diverse product range, installers tend to cherry-pick depending on their needs and personal preferences, but none will have ever encountered the whole spectrum of solutions.
Bathroom fitters might use the waterproofing membranes, the shower tray drain and underfloor heating systems, but never encounter the systems for treating balconies and terraces. However, the more they diversify and learn, the greater the potential is for maximising their experience, and growing their business. The most obvious first question at the start of a session is:
WHY DO WE NEED WATERPROOFING?
We should consider waterproofing within bathrooms and other wet areas as being just as important as protecting the building envelope and sub-structure from water ingress, a situation which British Standards has emphasised in recent times: addressing the topic under BS 5385 Parts 1 and 3. In order for participants on the course to fully grasp the importance, we talk about the actual volume of water you are dealing with: contrasting indoor and outdoor conditions.
The average UK rainfall is seven litres of water per square metre per day but, in a shower area, the figure is close to 70 litres in just eight minutes, with the rate doubling where power showers are involved. Therefore, it is imperative to protect vulnerable substrates, such as plasterboard, from exposure and ensure this deluge is efficiently directed to the wastewater drainage.
WHERE ARE THE SPECIFIC AREAS WHICH MUST BE PROTECTED FROM WATER PENETRATION?
The answer is distinctly different for a bathroom as opposed to a shower enclosure. Within a wetroom, the clue is very definitely in the name, with all surfaces and junctions needing to be considered. You would, in effect, tank the entire room. In a cubicle or larger shower enclosure, it is best practice to waterproof the entire floor area and the surrounding wall areas to a minimum height level with the shower head. For showers mounted above baths, it is again recommended to waterproof the full floor area and the wall area to a width of 1500mm as well as to a similar height.
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The weakest points are the junctions between the wall tiling and the top of the bath or shower tray, for which Schlüter- Systems offers a special sealing banding known as KERDI- TS which makes a robust seal. KERDI–TS is available as kits to suit bathtubs and shower trays as well as other units; all of which will be fitted before the main installation takes place.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATERPROOF AND WATER RESISTANT?
While some manufacturers use misleading terminology, waterproof refers to a material or surface that is completely impervious to water, whereas water resisting materials are porous, which means they will absorb moisture, though remaining unaffected themselves. Water resistant plasterboard typically requires a separate waterproofing layer to stop water tracking down the back to affect battens or even the floorboards and other susceptible substrates.
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WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE KERDI AS OPPOSED TO DITRA FOR WATERPROOFING?
KERDI membrane – at just 0.2mm thick – and KERDI- BOARDS are generally used to protect wall areas, while the latter offers thermal insulating and other benefits. Where a moisture-resistant board has been laid across floors for structural reasons, DITRA would normally be preferred for waterproofing as its 3mm thick structure featuring cavities offers uncoupling properties to accommodate relative thermal and moisture movement. When correctly installed, though, both DITRA and KERDI systems create completely waterproof backgrounds, and total peace of mind.
CAN DITRA BE USED STRAIGHT OVER EXISTING BOARDS?
Yes, provided the existing substrate is rigid and load bearing – ‘deflection free’ being the main criteria. It should be that, if timber gets wet, it is not only subject to rot but it expands and contracts leading to grout cracking and delamination. DITRA is the tried-and-tested answer, proven for almost four decades in use. Crucially, it mitigates the problem of stress in the build-up.
IF I WANTED TO INSTALL UNDERFLOOR HEATING WITH DITRA, IS IT LAID ABOVE OR BELOW THE ACTUAL MATTING?
Ideally, you want DITRA sitting as close to the tiling as possible to protect the ceramics against any movement, but this is why DITRA-HEAT was developed: to provide an uncoupling system, with waterproofing and heat source all installed in one operation. This integrated product solution cuts installation time and improves heating
www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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