Waterproofing & Smart Tiles

[JB1]

I'm looking to install a smart tile in may walk in tiled shower on a contrete slab which the shower area has been recessed by 30mm. The waste is at the centre of the 1600x900 recessed shower.

I was looking at installing this smart tile 115mm x 100mm Square Bermuda Floor Grate | BountyBrassware.com.au (http://www.bountybrassware.com.au/100mm-Square-Bermuda-Floor-Grate.html)

What do I need to do for the waterproofer to prepare the area?

Do I need to install a puddle flange before the waterproofing?

Secondly, I see 'smart tiles' ranging from $20 on ebay to $80.... is there a difference between them?

Thirdly, do I get the waterproofer to waterproof the whole bathroom including the 30mm recessed shower area before or after the tiler screeds the shower area to create the fall?

Thanks for your patience... It has probably been covered numerous times, but I just want to make sure I get it right as I only get once chance to do it correctly.

Regards,
John

[Oldsaltoz]

I'm looking to install a smart tile in may walk in tiled shower on a contrete slab which the shower area has been recessed by 30mm. The waste is at the centre of the 1600x900 recessed shower.

I was looking at installing this smart tile 115mm x 100mm Square Bermuda Floor Grate | BountyBrassware.com.au (http://www.bountybrassware.com.au/100mm-Square-Bermuda-Floor-Grate.html)

What do I need to do for the waterproofer to prepare the area?

Do I need to install a puddle flange before the waterproofing?

Secondly, I see 'smart tiles' ranging from $20 on ebay to $80.... is there a difference between them?

Thirdly, do I get the waterproofer to waterproof the whole bathroom including the 30mm recessed shower area before or after the tiler screeds the shower area to create the fall?

Thanks for your patience... It has probably been covered numerous times, but I just want to make sure I get it right as I only get once chance to do it correctly.

Regards,
John

Hi John,
The waterproofer should install the puddle flange and also a grate holder, as for waterproofing before or after screeding, you will have your shower up and running in less time if the waterproofing is done first, because there is no waiting for the screed to cure.
Tilers lay the screed on day one and start tiling the walls, by the time that's done the screed has cured and the base is tiled.

You could free call 1800 025 081 and arrange a free quote.

Good luck. :)

[JB1]

Thanks for the info..

I was going to get Wet Seal to do it...

If I get the waterproofing done before the screed, will the waterproofer build a fall into the drain?

Without a fall, there maybe stagnant water between the membrane and the screed.

Also what material membrane does wet seal use? Any chance of the tiler puncturing the membrane?

I've used waterproofing paint before and it was flexible. Not sure if I did get it 100% right, I'll find out in about 5-10 years!! Haha


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[METRIX]

The waterproofer won't build the fall to the drain, this is the job of the tiler when he puts the screed down, he will put all necessary falls in the screed as required, and finalise these when laying the tiles.
As Oldsaltoz said to save time the waterproofing can be done first, then the screed done [normal practice].

You should not have an issue with stagnet water if everything is done correctly.
But if you really feel uneasy about it, have the screed done and then have the waterproofing done after the screed has cured

Differences in the price, some are the original inventor of the system [I think Smart Tile was the first], and others are just copies
The bounty gear is good quality at a reasonable price, and some of the cheaper ones are made in china.

[Oldsaltoz]

Thanks for the info..

I was going to get Wet Seal to do it...

If I get the waterproofing done before the screed, will the waterproofer build a fall into the drain?

Yes, the tiler does this so it fits with the cuts he plans to use.

Without a fall, there maybe stagnant water between the membrane and the screed.

The puddle flange installed by the waterproofer will allow water to drain from the base, capillary action in the screed normally prevents and stagnation in all but a very few showers. like 1 in 500, so no need to worry, if it's obvious that water will accumulate the waterproofer will add a small fall at the time of waterproofing but not enough to get the tiler excited.

Also what material membrane does wet seal use? Any chance of the tiler puncturing the membrane?

Wet-seal only use materials tested and approved by the CSIRO and BRANZ, however it is only waterproofing and yes the tiler can damage it but not without knowing he has. it only takes a pin hole to cause a leak no matter what membrane is applied. I stopped counting at 2,000 showers and have never had a failure.

I've used waterproofing paint before and it was flexible. Not sure if I did get it 100% right, I'll find out in about 5-10 years!! Haha

Wet-seal membrane is flexible and the waterproofer will also install bond breakers that allow for movement in the structure.


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Good luck. :)

[JB1]

Thanks Oldsaltoz & Metrix Building

OK, it seems like my job is done- I'll get the w/p done before the tiler arrives.

Gotta buy the puddle flange and 'smart tile'

Is the smart tile fitting loose within the puddle flange or a tight fit?

Also does a specific puddle flange have to be suited or matched with a specific smart tile, or can a generic puddle flange suit a generic smart tile ( assuming both are to suit 100mm PVC)?

I'll update this post in a few months with some photos.

[Oldsaltoz]

Thanks Oldsaltoz & Metrix Building

OK, it seems like my job is done- I'll get the w/p done before the tiler arrives.

Gotta buy the puddle flange and 'smart tile'

Is the smart tile fitting loose within the puddle flange or a tight fit?

Also does a specific puddle flange have to be suited or matched with a specific smart tile, or can a generic puddle flange suit a generic smart tile ( assuming both are to suit 100mm PVC)?

I'll update this post in a few months with some photos.

The smart tile sits in an adapter and it sits in the flange, read on.

Puddle flanges come in 3 common sizes for wastes, 50mm 90mm and 100mm, you need to purchase one that fits your waste pipe, the flange is a tight fit and should be installed just below the floor level, you might have to grind a few mm off.

The flange comes with a waste grate holder that enables height adjustment of the waste, very handy when placing the screed, it also allow water to drain from the screed and shower base. It fits inside the flange and has a gap all round for drainage.

Take your Smart-tile and the size of the waste when shopping, Smart tiles also come in a veriety of sizes so lets hope you get the combination right.

Good luck. :)

[METRIX]

If you are looking at the Bounty Range, check out their "Bermuda Mega Floor Grate" series, these come with the appropriate "Megaflex connector" this will make it easier to install as the entire system is supplied, they come in various outlet sizes and grate styles.

As Oldsaltoz said, you will need to grind a few mm off the Compressed flooring to allow the flange to sit flush or just below the surface, this is explained in the installation instructions of the product, remember to wear appropriate mask if grinding the FC flooring as it can be toxic to breath this dust.

Also take note of how the membrane is to be installed in relation to the outlet, to ensure any leakage under the tiles is captured and fed down the waste [see attached pics]

Bounty Bermuda Mega Floor Grates | BountyBrassware.com.au (http://www.bountybrassware.com.au/Bounty-Bermuda-Mega-Floor-Grates.html)

91074 91075

[JB1]

Thanks Metrix Building

That looks perfect.. the bounty range isn't overly expensive, so I'll most likely get this.

update: saw it online for $55 for the whole kit... cheap compared to fixing waterleaks down the track.

Anyway, I thought about it, I'm going to get a waterproofer to do the bathroom before the tiler.

I'm going to get the tiler to do the screed and then for my own peace of mind, I'm going to waterproof the screed..

overkill, probably, but it's easy to do.

I'll ask the waterproofer to give me some Wet Seal waterproofing paint/membrane to cover 1.5 sqm..

If not, can you apply Bostick Dampfix over say the Wet Seal waterproofing along the wall?

[METRIX]

Hi JB.

If you are getting a professional to do the waterproofing then I would just leave it at that, they will ensure that the job is done right.

I would advise against putting another product over and existing product as you can get incompatibility issues with different manufacturers products, and if you employ a pro to do the waterproofinig and something does go wrong, chances are they will say the extra coating you put on must have caused the problem, best to not go there to start with.

Also unless your are good acquaintances with the waterproofer they will probably not give you any product to apply after they have finished the job, as they sign off on what they have done, and not what they trust you to do after they leave.

Bear in mind when you waterproof, all corners need bond break, this can be done with either a compatible silicon or a bond breaker tape, so waterproofing over the screed you should really bond break the edges again, another reason I would not waterprooof after the screed and waterproofing has already been done, you might actually cause a problem to the existing waterproof coating, best to leave it alone and just tile straight over the screed.

[JB1]

That makes perfect sense.

Thanks you


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