What do you prefer to use...? - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

**Dave** · 21-05-2008

When waterproofing walls in a shower etc ...what do you prefer to use..?

**grumpygrouter** · 21-05-2008

Only used solution so far so can't make a fair comparison. Looking to try Kerdi next time though.

**sWe** · 30-05-2008

Tanking kits are easier to apply, but generally take longer to become tileable, as the drying times can be punishing, especially since most require more than one coat.

Membranes take a bit of practise to apply properly. They also take a bit longer to apply, but on the whole they become tileable faster than kits. They're also are better at keeping water and vapor diffusion out than tanking kits. They tend to be a bit more expensive though.

I prefer membranes, though they are a bit fiddlier.

**brian c** · 30-05-2008

im with grumpy,only ever used tanking kits so cant comment on membrane solutions,so i voted..yes you guessed it..lol

hillhead · 30-05-2008

Just tanking kits here too,not many people want the expense of a membrane never mind tanking !!
On my hotel job i'm using Norcross wet sealing kits with matting too onto screeded floors!! walls taped in corners,matting 2" up walls from floor etc!
im waiting on baths etc there so im only giving them 2-3 days per week at the minute,i have a lot of other work on too.thankfully.

**Dave** · 30-05-2008

You say that membranes are expensive lads..........just out of interest how much do you pay for a tanking kit......you might just be surprised as too how cheap membranes are......!!!

**brian c** · 30-05-2008

wp1 kit £65 from topps

norcross is a bit cheaper i think.

**Dave** · 30-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian c

wp1 kit £65 from topps

norcross is a bit cheaper i think.

how many mtrs will it do bri......? 4 to 5 maybe...

**sWe** · 30-05-2008

Over here, waterproofing an average bathroom (the entire bathroom is waterproofed over here, not just the shower) with roll-on tanking solutions, costs in the region of £300 inc vat. Same thing with a membranes cost in the region of £450-500.

Did I mention prices are a bit higher over here?

And that's at mid-range trades discount, ie about 25%.

**Dave** · 30-05-2008

Well marcus..you can get membranes for as little as £6 a mtr...so i think that beats solution kits hands down........and if you can wall paper then you can apply membranes very quickly..........and much better job...imo...

hillhead · 30-05-2008

The Norcross wet seal kit cost the hotel owner £22 each !!! cheap i'd say.
He knows an independent agent very well,she says she will get me a big order if i want !! interesting,thats addy and grout,tanking etc.the labelling on the kits says it'll cover 10m2 but on scratch coat walls no hope plus i'm double coating floors too !! with matting in between,not sure how much the matting was but i ordered another 100m2 on wednesday,plus another 30 tanking kits,they come in nice clean buckets too,hehe, i take em all.nice to get fresh buckets!

**sWe** · 30-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Well marcus..you can get membranes for as little as £6 a mtr...so i think that beats solution kits hands down........and if you can wall paper then you can apply membranes very quickly..........and much better job...imo...

Aye, I much prefer membranes over tanking solutions, as I stated earlier

Cheapest good quality membrane I've found (over here) cost in the region of £7/m, and that's on rolls of 30m.

When I get myself a proper office and storage area, and perhaps a few employees, in a few years, I'll start getting materials on bulk, and that lowers the cost, of course.