Waterproofing

There are certain areas that are referred to as "wet" areas. These include your shower and bath.

Special attention must be given to these areas to ensure that they are "waterproof". Our recommendation is to use a special waterproofing membrane and adhesive that was developed for Beaumont Tiles.

Barrierflex is a simple but very effective waterproofing system. Follow the instructions exactly as on the packaging.

Barrierflex membrane

Sweep clean, the area to be treated. Then, using ABA Primer, prime all area, walls and floor. In each corner where a wall and floor meet and on the internal corners of two walls, you will need to run a bead of silicone.

Barrierflex will not adhere to the silicone and this bead, in effect, becomes a "bond breaker". When any movement in the structure occurs, the membrane that you will install flexes and remains intact. This "bond breaker" gives a larger area to flex across.

Quite simply, a thin mix of Barrierflex is trowelled or brushed over the entire area. This coating should be about 1.5 to 2mm thick. It is highly recommended to apply 2 coats of Barrierflex. This ensures that you do not miss any spots. Even a hole the size of a pinhead, can cause disastrous problems later on, with leaking showers.

Corners and coves

Bedded into the Barrierflex (in the corners where you placed the silicone bead) is a 150 mm wide band of chopped fibreglass. This gives the membrane a little more substance if it is ever needed to flex with structural movement.

Fixing your tiles

The best adhesive to use Barrierflex - especially for these wet areas. Mixed as instructed on the packaging, Barrierflex is fully waterproof. If there is a change of a pinhole in your membrane, using Barrierflex as an adhesive will cover the hole.

Caulking

A caulking compound or silicone, must be used in place of grout in those corners where walls meet or wall and floor meet (in corners where you placed the silicone bond breaker.)

Bathroom floors

In these "wet" areas, it is necessary to grade the floor to the waste outlets. The simplest method is to lay a mortar bed and build your gradient or fall into this topping. When cured, apply your waterproof membrane, then tile over the membrane.

By using a mortar bed, there is plenty of time to screed off a smooth, even fall to the waste outlets.

Mix your mortar bed, 3:1 sand/cement. This topping mix should be firm consistency, so it will retain its shape when squeezed in your hand. Spread the mix over the floor and compact it. Then screed to achieve 20-35mm thick coverage.

When laying a mortar bed over suspended floors of fibre cement sheeting or structural particle board, it is a good idea to incorporate an expanded galvanised mesh (chicken wire) in the mortar bed. This helps prevent cracks appearing in the mortar bed.

Don"t forget to run your silicone "bond breaker" around all corners before applying the waterproof membrane.

More details on Barrierflex can be found here.