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Clear Coating With Slip Resistance

By on August 29, 2022in Slip Resistant Coating
slip resistant coating

When discussing areas with potentially hazardous surfaces, people frequently think of their bathroom, bath and shower. Despite this, it is not hard to comprehend. Admittedly, the bathroom plus the shower seem to be the rooms in the house that become wet the most, which causes the floor to be slippery or hazardous.

You should be aware, on the other hand, that the majority of the interior and exterior hard floors of your home are susceptible to becoming wet. It seems water that is pouring from your shower or the faucet isn’t the only source of moisture that may be introduced to a surface. In addition to this, it may be brought on by liquid that drips from wet clothing, beverages that are spilled on the flooring, rain that falls on tiled surfaces outside the home or stores, and older public locations that when they were applied did not require a slip rating but as time has passed they now do plus allot of other scenarios.

It is possible for hard floors that do not contain the appropriate slip resistant texture or finish can become dangerously slippery once they get wet. It could be tiles found in front of your favorite store, in your neighborhood café, or even on the stairs leading to your apartment. What are the consequences of being wet and dangerous? Indeed, there is potential for harm as well as mishaps and legal cases for liability.

The good news is that there are products available to assist you in avoiding the risks and mishaps that may otherwise befall you, notable ones that help you not slip on the surface. Such products with slip resistance are available in a wide variety of forms, including paint, matting, chemically etching, and Remedial Membranes clear slip resistant coating, among others.

Rugs with a typically rubbery finish are what are referred to as slip-resistant carpets, which is exactly what the name implies. These are often available in a variety of hues. Even though it seems like a fantastic plan, these coverings do not generally cover vast surface sizes, which means that you will require numerous carpets in order to encompass the entirety of your floor. Additionally, they can become a trip hazard as it increases the profile of the floor as well as lessening the fashionable attractiveness of your property as the range is limited.

Chemical Etching

To generate an irregular surface that would be resistant to slipping and falling, a chemical process called “chemical etching” gets applied to the surface. This causes some of the protective coating to be dissolved away. Chemical etch is essentially corroding the surface to be more slip resistant as this is actually damaging the tiles but for a purpose, only certain selected tiles could go through this process with the outcome being somewhat unpredictable.

Slip Resistant Coatings

Slip-resistant coatings are now available. This item includes a single color over the tiles. While slip-resistant paints might be used to coat whole floors this is only recommended if one coloured finish is desired.

Being aware that such single-color coatings will hide the style of the tiles, a scenario you typically would not want to occur if you have paid for those tiles to be laid.

Finally, there are slip-resistant transparent coatings. The distinction between coloured paints and transparent coatings is that slip-resistant coatings can be applied to your tiles while avoiding covering up the tiles’ designs. The clear or translucent appearance is great if you do not wish to change the design of your home or surface. When applied to tiles, concrete, timber flooring or really any surface that needs to be made slip resistant, such coatings are often used as the finish does not change the look of the surface. These coatings are widely used and are able to encompass a vast area.

Slip resistant coatings are usually required because forethought was not done at the building planning stage where slip resistant tiles or textured concrete could have been installed. So despite learning the several typical slip-resistant solutions, you must not rush into picking which of the possibilities to choose. Instead, determine if your floor or area genuinely needs more slip-resistance materials and then choose the right one for you.

Does Weather Cause The Surfaces In Your Home To Become Slippery?

You are aware that adding water to your tiles might lead them to become slippery and hazardous, but you also need to be aware that different types of materials have differing degrees of slipperiness.

The six most frequently slipped on materials are; polished concrete, granite, porcelain, marble, ceramics, and terrazzo. Grading these six dependent on how slick they become yields the ranking below; however, while slip-resistant tiles existing with man made tiles, the list doesn’t include these tiles:

  1. Polished concrete
  2. Terrazzo
  3. Terracotta
  4. Porcelain
  5. Marble
  6. Granite

Porcelain along with ceramic tiles with a gloss or satin finish are naturally slippery even while they aren’t wet, they ought to only be utilized inside and generally as wall tiles.

In spite of this, because porcelain tiles are non porous and hard wearing it tends to be the most widely used tile today. Being non porous it is unable to soak up the water that is present on the surface, which means if you spill something on the floor it will not be reduced by the tile  absorption and will remain there until it is removed by cleaning if it’s noticed or slipped on if not.

Putting aside the materials of the floor, we must consider the finish that was employed to polish the floor. Shopping centers grind the terrazzo tiles back and then apply thick sealers making the surface easy to clean but if the event spillage occurs these surfaces become very slippery.

After assessing the surface and determining that the risk requires the application of a slip resistant product you need to determine which product to employ.

How To Use Remedial Membranes To Get That Slip Resistant Finish

When deciding which slip-resistant materials to employ, we definitely prefer clear slip-resistant coatings since they would not alter the original appearance. The coating may be implemented on both tiny and large areas of the surface. Luckily, the Slip-Resistant Coating we offer provides the same level of performance. Our slip-resistant materials, in contrast, are simple to use and apply, and anyone can do it DIY or hire professional installers to make everything work out.

To achieve this coating you combine CWM part 1 and 2 and add in the Aggregate that’s right for your desired outcome. However, you must be accurate in your measurements since the quantity of aggregate that you blend together will affect the coating’s improved slipping resistance.

Raising the quantity of the aggregate B shall make the slip resistance more evident to the eye, although this might be a desirable objective for legal considerations. It may also make cleaning the surface more difficult.

For more information, the Remedial Membranes Slip Resistant Coating has three distinct slip-resistant ratings:

  • P5 – High to Very High
  • P4 – Medium
  • P3 – Standard

If easy to clean whilst being slip resistant is what you are seeking then the P3 grade offers the appropriate level. It simply takes 10 mL of the Standard Aggregate A, or a half of a teaspoon, to combine well with the slip-resistant membrane. Due to its clarity along with its transparency, our standard grade may be used in all locations and retains the beauty of the surface.

Furthermore, the P4 delivers higher slide resistance, making the surface extra difficult to clean. It takes twice the amount of Standard Aggregate A that P3 takes, which would be 20 mL or otherwise 1 teaspoon. Given the increasing quantity of aggregate, this surface would become foggy rather than clear. As a result, we suggest using the medium upon light through medium-colored tiling.

Finally, the P5 is designed for floors that need a high level of slip resistance. It substitutes Aggregate B for Aggregate A or a combination of, necessitating 20 mL or rather a teaspoon of this substance. It may be used on any area of tiling of various colors.

What Can I Use A Clear Slip-Resistant Coating For?

These three separate grades are employed for various rooms and places due to the variance of slip resistance effectiveness.

P3’s regular power makes it ideal for usage in the home. Your kitchen, washroom, stairs, plus balcony, or patio are all good examples. It may also be used in the corridors leading to such spaces.

Commercial usage, on the other hand, varies from P3 to P5, based on the regulatory standards for such standard slip grades. As a result, installing transparent slip-resistant coatings in places such as the restrooms or other wet sections of any public institution may establish thorough research and protect the owner of the property from liability in the event of a mishap or slippage.

Other elements that should be addressed by a P3 slip-resistance grade in a business property include:

  • Areas Dedicated To Customer Service And Dining (In The Case Of Restaurants And Other Eating Establishments)
  • Access To The Shopping Districts
  • Shopping Areas Marketing Fresh Fruits And Vegetables
  • A Section Of Something Like A Shopping District That Is Wet
  • Rooms For Changing (At Both Public & Private Swimming Pools, As Well As At Sports Halls)
  • Common areas in multi residential environments

Moving ahead, the P4 slip-resistance grade may be used in homes in which the elderly need higher slide resistance for the surfaces, particularly in wet areas, to help avoid falls. However, because of the liquid coating levels themselves, we suggest utilizing this grade rather than P3 in popular areas.

If you own a pool in your personal properties, we recommend that you use P4 over the area around your pool.

Resort owners often employ P4 professionally in the same location, located near the pool.

Finally, P5 slip-resistance grades are widely employed in the commercial sector. Furthermore, food business owners often use P5 on surfaces. Simply put, it permits cooks to move openly without being afraid of slipping, even while they are carrying equipment that might damage them worse if they slide.

Clear Anti-Slip Coating Products

The various levels of slip resistance are also available as standalone goods, which may be purchased as P3, P4, or P5.

These items may be purchased in one of two distinct order configurations: The little kit is 4 Litre, while the big kit is 10 Litre.

Our 4Litre little Slip-Resistant Kit includes 4L CWM Part 1 and 500ml CWM Part 2 as well as aggregate, which may be A and maybe B according to the grade you pick. It is possible to coat 24m2 with our 4 Litre Kit.

Our big Slip-Resistant Kit includes a 10 Litre kit in addition to a package of aggregate for further traction and safety. It encompasses a substantial territory, to be more precise 60m2

Our items have a variety of applications and may be utilized in a variety of settings like the entrance and the staircase.

To purchase any of our goods, you only have to place an order for one of the Remedial Membranes Clear Slip Resistant Coating solutions and pick the grade that best suits your needs. We will deliver the item to your house together with an installation manual that you may use for assistance with the undertaking you have in mind.

Remedial Waterproofing for Balconies: Fixing Balcony Leaks

By on August 4, 2022in New Stuff
after image of remedial waterproofing on a leaky balcony

Remedial Waterproofing for Balconies: Fixing Balcony Leaks

Most people will agree that having a balcony is a nice outdoor area. This is because it provides not only access to vistas and fresh air for people but also a place for us to relax after a long day. However, if the balcony starts to leak, things might quickly go wrong.

Since the majority of people believe that a balcony is separate from the home’s main structure, waterproofing issues on a tiled balcony that leaks provide some of the most challenging leaky balcony repairs.

Let’s look at certain leaks’ warning signs, root causes, and how waterproofing your balcony might help.

What Causes a Balcony to Leak?

We have broken up the causes for balcony leaks in the following: Issues occur quickly after construction, Issues occur after a year and Things that lend themselves to failure but don’t cause it:

Balcony Leaks & Failures Occur Immediately or shortly after construction: 

Workmanship mistake. Workmanship mistakes are only really responsible for less than 10% of leaking balconies. Still, they can be brought on by a variety of factors, including improper membrane selection for the location and penetrations in the membrane that can range in size from small (like a nail on the bottom of your shoe) to large (like balustrade holes that are not properly waterproofed after they have been cut in).

Damaged membrane. In some instances, a deck resurfacing team will follow all the necessary procedures where the scratch out the existing grout and replace it, yet the finished project will still have significant leak problems. The primary reason? The waterproof membrane has failed! 

Incorrect flashing, Flashing, which is essentially just a sheet of metal, is frequently utilized in home buildings whenever there is a seam where water can enter. It usually goes under doors, around the chimney and skylights on a roof. It will be erected around the balcony’s edge as well as any columns that frame the balcony on your property.

However, with most older jobs that we attend flashing is missing from under the doors just leaving a gaping hole. But the Clear Waterproofing Membrane in conjunction with the Remedial Membranes SMX Hybrid caulk can waterproof the bottoms of doors where flashing has been forgotten overcoming issues.

Balcony Leaks & Failures Occur Immediately after a year or two after construction

Movement. We are currently living in accelerated weather events as changes affect our climate. We are having more periods of drought, flood, cyclones, earthquakes, hail, etc. all these events affect the foundations of our homes and create movement; although our homes are built to move without cracking, our solid-based wet areas are not. 

Lack of maintenance. Regular maintenance in the form of inspections and remedial waterproofing allows you to identify faults early and prevent serious problems like concrete cancer. Small leaks and cracks should be repaired soon away because water damage can worsen very quickly and cause serious issues. It’s also advised to maintain the seals on your wall systems, doors, and windows. The danger that it will become a significant issue is reduced by checking balconies, roofs, windows, cracks, and leaks as soon as you become aware of them and by being proactive with the repair.

Higher level issues. When it comes to waterproofing failure, higher floors in multilevel buildings can be challenging. The higher the building the more the movement, the more the movement the quicker the failure of the waterproofing membrane. Timber framed dwellings above 2 story can be particularly bad. Waterproofing for balcony failure can also be caused by all of the above but the majority is caused by movement.

Things that lend themselves to failure but don’t cause it

No slope. A balcony that has been adequately waterproofed would often have a very slight slope, to aid in the drainage of water. This slope should encourage water to flow away from the house and doorway and down the drain to avoid even worse issues.

While a deck that has been properly waterproofed can endure standing water without any problems, this could result in premature failure if another problem develops. You may avoid numerous problems that sometimes arise by slightly sloping the deck, and you won’t have to worry about water puddles on your balcony.

Stone Tiles. Stone tiles hold moisture like a rigid sponge just waiting for a crack to appear for water to start tracking down to your dry plasterboard. Although No slope (ponding water), and stone tiles make a situation worse they can only cause an issue when the membrane has failed the outstanding cause of membrane failure is Movement!

How to Prevent Leaks on a Balcony

Balconies are susceptible to water leaks since they are frequently exposed to the weather. Each building materials used on the balcony has a different rate of contraction and expansion creating movement. Stone tiles will expand in the heat more than porcelain and wet stone tiles even more. Framed balcony construction has significantly more movement than a concrete slab and in our opinion is the reason for the majority of failures. Waterproofing even class 3 membranes which are standard need a void in order to elongate but waterproofing membranes are direct fixed meaning when the movement of the framed construction occurs it doesn’t have the ability to move with it and failures occur. 

In order to prevent leaks, in our opinion a heavy-duty builders plastic like a pond liner should be used under the sand/cement screed ensure the screed is not fastened to the cement sheeting below. Followed up with a suitable waterproofing membrane on top of the screed, together with proper drainage and separation from the building’s interior components. The external height of the balcony should be lower than the internal height.

If you find any of the following; notice a water leak on your balcony to find any anomalies or maintenance problems. Cracked or missing grout, water stains on the interior or exterior ceiling, difficulty opening or shutting balcony doors, peeling or broken paint, and weak structural joints in balcony railings and supports are all signs that something is wrong. Contact Remedial Waterproofing Association teams of Installers who are Accredited in Remedial Waterproofing. Get a professional to talk to you about your options which includes over-tile waterproofing. 

What Should You Watch Out For To Avoid Balcony Leaks?

Due to their frequent exposure to the outdoors, balconies are prone to water leaks. Each balcony’s construction is distinct, and the risk of water entry is increased if waterproofing for external balcony techniques doesn’t take into account the balcony design.

In order to prevent leaks, balconies need to be properly waterproofed, isolated from the building’s interior parts, and have the necessary waterproofing membrane installed. Even then due to the increased extreme weather events movement can occur. The biggest problem is that all the elements of the constructions configuration; the tiles, grout, sand cement screed, concrete slab or timber frame they are all built to last the lifetime of the home but the waterproofing membrane as a limited life span of usually only 10 years. Waterproofing membrane that are installed inside the building envelope or under the tiles are inaccessible for repair. Top coat waterproofing membrane remove the issues making damage easy to identify and easy to repair.

Perform a complete inspection and assessment to find any abnormalities or maintenance problems as soon as you notice a leaky balcony. Remember if your balcony is leaking your waterproofing membrane has failed. Additional things to watch out for are:

  • missing or cracked grout
  • water stains on the inside ceiling or the underside of the balcony
  • issues with closing and opening balcony doors
  • split or peeling paint
  • Weak structural joints in the posts and railing of the balcony
  • Swelling of masonry

The best course of action if you think your balcony is leaking is to call a professional to come and assess the area and outline what is possible so you can move forward without the stress of a lengthy drawn out costly repair.

leaking balcony with cracks in it

How Are Leaking Balconies Usually Repaired?

The best course of action for balcony leak repairs is not to put it off. Leaks can be fixed if the damage has not progressed into structural damage. So the key is don’t delay. 

The usual way to repair a leaking balcony is to remove all the tiles down to the cement sheeting or concrete waterproofing and re-tile. But with, the movement being created is outside the scope of the warranty of the new product. Reinstalling the membrane below the tiles means you could be in the same situation again at the next weather event but without a warranty. 

Most of the time, the tiles are in good shape because they are made to endure the lifetime of the building. Since they don’t want to remove good tiles to access a failing membrane, remedial waterproofing and the application of an over tile waterproofing membrane are options. The only option to accomplish this is to use a Clear waterproofing Membrane for balcony because the balcony is obviously utilized for entertainment, and the owners don’t want a block color covering it. Instead, they want the tiles to stay as they are.

If you have a failed waterproofing membrane than you need to find a product that works for remedial waterproofing. Clear Waterproofing Membrane is just that product. Clear Waterproofing Membrane is a 2 part aliphatic polyurethane. Aliphatic means that you can walk on it and polyurethanes’ are used for waterproofing all over the world as they provide a good amount of flexibility. Remedial Membranes provides full helpdesk support so if you want to repair it DIY you can. Or if you don’t have the time than contact Remedial Membranes Accredited Installer. They are licensed/experienced tradesman with training using the Clear Waterproofing Membrane.

Other countries are aware of this and require the membrane to be left accessible and to be the top coat of the balcony. This reduces the cost of known rectification works in the future as the membrane is the most fragile component of the construction configuration. The tile, the timber frame or the concrete slab, the screed and adhesives, all these materials will last the life of the home waterproofing which is below the tiles usually has an approx. the time span of 10 years.

Waterproofing Systems for Balconies

  • Balcony spaces are exposed to extreme weather conditions; therefore, the likelihood of failure is great if they are installed improperly or if increased movement occurs. 
  • Balcony membrane, surface repairs and changes form a crucial and important aspect of the building envelope and should be considered before commencing.
  • Waterproofing for rooftop balcony surfaces and balconies with rooms below should be a well-thought-out process that does not depend solely on cost.
  • The best scenario is for membranes to be built correctly from the start and with high-quality materials, as inadequate balcony waterproofing can cause severe water damage to the structures below and possibly cause them to collapse completely.

Waterproofing Details for Balconies

  • Balcony membranes call for a system of membranes that offers a permanent water barrier to all wall upturns, the floor, around drains, the balustrade, and any other sources of penetration, among other places.
  • Water must be kept from entering beneath the balcony’s surface, where it can cause hidden structural damage that worsens over time.
  • Water can go a long way after entering an area.
  • Building movement—the typical cyclical expansion and contraction of materials—is a fundamental construction element.
  • Along with the balcony construction, the waterproof membrane must likewise bend and move with the surrounding building envelope.

 

How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Leaking Balcony?

Waterproofing is a very hard process and involves the use of jackhammers continuous and then the removal of the materials, which can either be removed by use of a slide if there is room into a skip bin but usually in a residential setting the only way is to carry it out with buckets through the house. Then, all the new materials need also to be brought back in and re-laid. As guessed, this is a tedious and arduouss task for both the homeowner and the tradesman. Those tasks come with hefty price tags, along with weeks of work that can be prolonged due to the weather. So, a balcony redo of waterproofing and tiles can easily run in the tens of thousands.

Evaluating If Remedial Waterproofing Is Needed

The plumbing system, as well as areas like windows that are immediately exposed to water and the elements, should all be reviewed as part of your maintenance checks. Remember that the best way to find cracks and leaks is to thoroughly check the building. Even if living and working spaces are situated far from water sources, you should nevertheless check important areas like roofs and balconies.

At least once every six months, commercial roofs should be inspected, and during that examination, the vents, drains, and other parts of the roof where water can leak through to the building should be examined. Stains, cracks, and leaks should all be looked for during an examination.

As part of your routine maintenance, check your irrigation, plumbing, and drains. Do a thorough check of these areas on a regular basis because they are more prone to have leaks that are difficult to detect. Even the slightest leaks need to be addressed, and with some prompt action and remedial waterproofing, you may both save money and maintain the value of your building.

How Remedial Waterproofing Can Help

Remedial Waterproofing works by removing all the cost and effort along with removing the building materials above the membrane to repair it and simply placing a new clear membrane over the top of the tiles making the look of the surface remain the same. Because of that, the balcony can be repaired this way by an experienced tradesman in a fraction of the time, a fraction of the mess, a fraction of the noise, and a fraction of the cost. 

You can either call one of the accredited installers to come and do the work for you or use Remedial Membranes’ helpful installation videos and tutorials to guide DIYers through the procedure. In addition, there are some benefits to using Clear Waterproofing Membrane over tile waterproofing as opposed to tearing out the balcony entirely and starting from scratch.

Clear Waterproofing Membranes applications can usually be completed for around 30% of the cost of ripping up and removing. As an over-tile waterproofing membrane, Clear Waterproofing Membrane is easily accessible and can be patched up as needed in the future.

We spare you time and hassle. In contrast to having all the tiles, adhesive, waterproofing, and screed removed before replacing those components and typically having the problem recur in the future because the membrane is out of reach and cannot be repaired without going through the same process, an application of Clear Waterproofing Membrane is made with little fuss in a week.

All leaks are a major problem, so please get in touch with Remedial Membranes installers to find out how we can save you time and money while preventing further water damage.

Leaking Shower Pan: Why Does it Happen and How to Fix It

By on July 16, 2022in New Stuff

Normal wear and tear and unwanted movement are two possibilities for the cause of a leaking shower pan. There are some do-it-yourself remedies for this problem, including patching cracks and repairing the grout. However, you will need the assistance of a specialist for more difficult fixes like replacing the shower pan or making changes to the floor underneath it.

Due to a leak, a shower pan may be unable to entirely collect and distribute water into the drainage system protecting your home for water damage. The movement of the buildings structure is the leading cause of the shower pan leaking. These leaks threaten the stability of your home’s foundation if they are not promptly repaired.

The substantial piece that covers the floor of your shower area is called the shower pan. Tiles are the main surface material use in your shower pan tiles are made from different materials; ceramic, stone, concrete, porcelain and other suitable materials are used to make it most of the time. Its function is to gather shower water and direct it toward the drain.

In this article, we’ll outline the primary reason why the shower pan leaks and discuss the various quick fix for leaking shower pan solutions.

How Does a Shower Pan Leak?

Depending on the age of the bathroom determines what people are looking for in the way of remedy. Homeowners who have an old bathroom express phrases like “I’m looking for a temporary fix for leaking shower pan or a quick fix for their leaky shower pan” as they think they will soon need a full renovation. They just want a leaky shower repair to reduce the issue with structural problems later. New homeowners, however, seek a more permanent fix for the leaky shower pan but are challenged when they find out they can’t match tiles.

Other than movement, here some additional issues that may cause for leaks in a shower, including;

  • incorrect waterproofing products being used, 
  • no waterproofing is being used
  • correct waterproofing being used by damaged during the tile installation
  • proper waterproofing used in the wrong location or incorrectly

Although all the above reasons are accurate and can lead to leaks in waterproofing membranes, leaks in shower recesses are typically caused due to movement. Homes are built to move without cracking, then we put a very rigid shower floor in the form of Sand and Cement bed/screed or thick cement sheeting, and there is an expectation that it will not crack over time, but this is just not the case. It would be similar to having rigid or hard skin over our bones. It’s just not very practical, and movement cracks are inevitable.

Additional issues that will increase the likelihood of your shower pan leaking are if you install stone tiles in the shower. Stone tiles behave like rigid sponges; they soak up large amounts of water and hold it. Doing so means that your stone shower pan is now holding moisture and looking for a point of failure.

However, perhaps the biggest issue leading toward your shower pan leaking is if your home is built with a frame. Although most people immediately consider a timber frame, it can be any substrate that does not include a solid poured concrete slab, including timber, steel, concrete block, Hebel, etc. Frames that have decreased centers to thicker sheeting, all of them fail because they are built to move, and move they do. They move because of the impact of the rain, and they also move because their framed construction is built to do so.

There is no need for homeowners and builders to fight over issues regarding potential causes for a Leaking Shower Pan and who is at fault. The process can be lengthy and costly in both the way of finances and, more importantly, the stress on your family.

How to Check for Shower Pan Leaks

You can do a quick test to determine whether a leak is there. You may also see whether the water is coming from somewhere else if you have noticed an actual leak from your shower pan (such as water on the floor next to the pan) or any of the reasons for leaks mentioned above.

The process consists of the following three easy steps:

  • The shower drain must be sealed.

You can use anything, even rubber plugs and duct tape. You’re set to go as long as the material you use creates a water-tight seal around the shower drain.

  • Fill up the shower pan with water.

You want to create enough ponding water to ensure there is a minimum 2 inches above the level of your floor. One or two buckets of water can be added, and the water level can then be noted using a marker.

  • Watch how the water level changes.

After eight hours, return and check the water level. If it has descended from the marker and you are confident that the drain was correctly sealed, it indicates that your shower pan is leaking.

In addition to this approach, you can look for leaks by making observations near your shower pan. To check are the following areas:

  • The site of the shower pan for moisture and water.
  • If the shower pan is on a higher floor, below the shower pan. There could be stains on the floor or the roof board.
  • There are loose floor tiles near the shower.
  • The carpets surrounding the shower stall are wet.
  • Moldy smell in neighbouring walls
  • Swelling of skirting boards

You will be able to tell that not all the water is draining if there are stains, moisture, or other symptoms and that a quick fix for leaking shower is required.

How Do You Fix a Leaking Shower Pan?

So, how do you repair a shower pan that’s leaking? First, log on to the website to download your step-by-step instructional manual, which includes video references. https://www.remedialmembranes.com/leaky-shower-repair/But to briefly summarise, remove the existing caulk/silicone, clean the shower with Chlorine, and rinse thoroughly. Identify if the tiles are in good condition. If they are in good condition, you may only need to replace any missing grout before getting the surface back into what looks like good condition. 

If there are loose tiles, then remove the tiles and existing adhesive and feel if the surface is spongy. If it is, your substrate may be water damaged, and more expensive shower pan leaking repair may be needed. But usually, the surface can simply be dried out with a heater, and then the tile can be replaced. The compatible SMX Caulk is a neutral cure and does not need access to open-air to cure so that it can be re-grouted immediately. 

Once the grout has cured, as per the recommendation on the bag, the leaking shower pan needs to be mechanically dried out to remove excess water. This can be done by putting a heater in the leaking shower recess, leaving it on overnight (being careful to ensure the electrical leads are positioned away from the heat to prevent fire in the morning, turning the heater off, and letting the surface cool down. 

The shower is now ready for the Clear Over-tile Waterproofing Membrane application. First, apply the caulk to the junctions where the floor meets the wall and the wall above the shower rose. Mix up the Clear Waterproofing Membrane Part 1 and Clear Waterproofing Membrane Part 2 to apply the membrane from the first grout joints on the walls to the shower waste.

By matching the existing tile, finish work with the Clear Waterproofing Membrane. If you are seeking a gloss finish, then combine part 1 & part 2 as you did in the first coat and mix in the aggregate and in the second coat to create a slip-resistant finish. 

If you desire a satin or matte finish to match existing tiles, then, leave out part 2 and add 5% matting paste for a matte finish or 2.5% matting paste for a satin finish. Once the application has been completed, you can let it dry on its own or apply the heater back to the surface to quicken up the pace. The initially leaky shower pan is not water-tight and no longer leaking.

How Much Do Shower Pan Leak Repairs Cost?

When a leaky shower pan is present because matching tiles cannot be found (unless the homeowner has kept some), the requirement for a complete bathroom renovation costing between 20-30K is considered. Suppose that it’s not cost-effective for the plans of the homeowner. In that case, they generally think of ripping out the bottom row of tiles along with the shower floor tiles, waterproofing, and sand cement screed making a mess. 

The final finished product is not much greater, with the shower pan now looking like a patch job. Every time they enter the bathroom, they are reminded of the fact that their shower pan leaked. But now, you can purchase the Clear Waterproofing Membrane for $135.40 for a standard shower and apply the membrane yourself without changing the look of your shower pan. By this, you can do not just a leaky shower repair but also a leaky balcony repair and leaky deck repair in a single day.

How Remedial Membranes Can Help

Clear Waterproofing Membrane is a two-part aliphatic polyurethane waterproofing membrane. Aliphatic means that it can be left exposed and walked on. Polyurethane is synonymous with waterproofing the world over. The other difference between our membrane and other polyurethane is that our membrane is Clear and is installed as an over-tile waterproofing membrane. 

Being transparent with the option of Gloss, Satin, or Matte, you can match the existing finish of your tiles, and with the membrane being applied to a grout joint, it makes it even harder to see where the membrane begins and ends. Although we don’t claim that the Clear Over Tile Waterproofing Membrane is invisible, without the knowledge of the membrane application, it could be hard to differentiate.

With the clear slip-resistant aggregate installed in the final coat, the surface is made slip-resistant in one application which can be great for families with young children or the elderly.

There is no need to remove tiles to repair your leaks. You only need Clear Waterproofing Membrane with a method of installation that is described as detailed but not difficult that you can do-it-yourself. With full help desk support provided for DIYers, the method of installation can be discussed in detail to gain confidence before commencing the installation. If that is not enough, Remedial Membranes has over 20 instructional videos to call upon so you can see each step of the process occurring before doing it yourself.

Repairing a Leaky Shower Floor

By on July 16, 2022in Before & After
Green Shower After

When determining what kind of fixing service to use, people often take the age of the bathroom as a factor. Homeowners who have old bathrooms usually go for a temporary fix for their leaky shower floor. They might also decide to do a quick fix, especially if they will soon need to fully renovate their bathroom. They want to merely fix the leak, for now, to avoid structural problems from arising.

However, new homeowners would seek out a more permanent fix for their leaking shower floor. After all, they just built their house, so they would want to avoid doing a costly renovation too soon. By applying a permanent fix, they can prevent structural damage, stains on the ceiling below the bathroom, and carpet mold.

What Causes a Shower Floor to Leak?

Movement of the home accounts for over 90% of failures for shower floors. The following situations can also cause leaks in your shower:

  • Incorrect waterproofing product installed in your shower
  • No waterproofing product present on your shower floor
  • Correct waterproofing product but was damaged during the installation of floor tiles
  • Correct waterproofing product but installed incorrectly or in the wrong spot

The reasons presented above are those that might have occurred during the installation process. These issues become immediately apparent. However, if you experience leakage after around 2 years of the shower being installed, then it might be because your waterproofing sheet already formed some stains and cracks. The formation of those cracks is typically caused by the movements in and of your home.

Despite building using materials to prevent houses from forming cracks in case movements and shakes happen, construction companies often use very rigid materials, like sand and cement bed/screed, to build the shower base. Sometimes, they also use thick cement sheets for the shower floor with the expectation that it will not crack over time.

Because the construction used rigid flooring, however, cracks will form quicker than expected. If we are to make an analogy, using rigid flooring is the same as having inflexible skin or muscle over our bones. The surface is simply not practical for movements; that’s why cracks are inevitable.

Another situation that can increase the chances of shower floor leakage to happen if the installation of stone tiles in your shower. Stone tiles behave like rigid sponges that soak up a large amount of water, holding it in before discharging the moisture all at once. Because it holds moisture, a percentage of the water will not reach the drain. This will then cause leakage, leading to rots and structural damage to the home.

Moreover, the biggest issue that leads to a leaky shower floor is having your house built with a frame. Although most people immediately consider timber frames for their home, those and other frames that do not include a solid concrete slab can cause leakage to your shower pan. Frames that have a thinner width fail because they react to movement excessively. For example, the impact of heavy rain and drought can easily create movement in the foundations of your home. These movements affect every area in your house, which includes your shower room.

The reasons above have existed ever since that insurance companies recommend upcoming homeowners to keep their eyes on flawed constructions. A Home Insurer advised the following case study:

Case Study:  In a recent scenario, a home that was built five years before the incident had a shower floor waterproofing failure. Due to the faulty construction that caused the damage, more than $240,000 was spent for the repair, which was almost the same amount of the original building cost.

Furthermore, there really is no need for homeowners and construction companies to fight over the issues regarding potential causes of the shower floor leakage and whose fault it is. After all, pushing the matter into a legal process can be costly and lengthy for both parties. More importantly, though, it adds stress to your family.

Fixing your shower floor might serve as an easier route for you. Fortunately, we prepared a guide below on how to a shower floor that’s leaking.

How Do You Fix a Shower Floor That’s Leaking?

So, how do you repair a leaky shower floor? First, download this step-by-step instructional manual, which includes video references: https://www.remedialmembranes.com/leaky-shower-repair/

This can only be accessed by logging into the website.

To briefly summarize, simply remove existing caulk/silicone first. Afterward, clean the shower with chlorines and rinse the area thoroughly. Next, you should identify the conditions of your tiles. Knowing the conditions of your tiles can help you determine what kind of fix you should need for your shower.

If the tiles you used are still in good condition, then you might only need to replace any missing grout. 

However, if the tiles are in bad condition, especially when they are loose already, then you should remove the tiles and any existing adhesive from the floor. After removing the tiles, inspect the surface if it looks spongy. If it is, then the surface may have already been damaged by water and might require a more extensive repair. Usually, though, it can easily be dried out with a heater, and after removing the moisture you can now replace the tiles.

We recommend you to use SMX Caulk as it is an all-around adhesive while showing great performance as a sealant. The SMX Caulk is a neutral cure and does not need open air to cure. It may be necessary to wait for 24 hours, though, for it to cure properly. After the curing process, you can then re-grout the tiles immediately to have another layer of sealant.

Once the grout has properly cured as recommended on the packaging, you can now manually dry out the show floor to remove excess water. You can do this by putting a heater on the leaking shower floor and leaving it there overnight. Make sure, however, that the electrical wiring is positioned away from the heater to prevent it from heating up and causing a fire. When morning comes, turn off the heater and let the surface cool down.

Afterward, you can now install Clear Waterproofing Membrane over your tiles. First, apply the caulk to the junctions where your floor meets the wall and where the wall meets the surface extending above the shower rose/head. Then, mix up the Clear Waterproofing Membrane Solution Part 1 to Part 2. Next, you should apply the membrane from the grout joints on the walls down to the shower waste.

For the finish of your application, you can decide on what kind of tile surface you want your shower to have. After all, the Clear Waterproofing Membrane can provide at least three types of finishes: gloss, matte, and satin.

To achieve a gloss finish, you can mix the Clear Waterproofing Membrane Solution Part 1 and Part 2, as you did in the first coat. You should also mix in the aggregate to make sure that the surface will be slip-resistant despite the glossiness. Moreover, if you want a matte finish, you should use Part 1 and leave out Part 2. Mix Part 1 with 5% matting paste and apply it to your tiles for the matte finish. The satin requires almost the same procedure. However, you will only need 2.5% matting paste to attain that kind of finish.

After applying the mix, you can now let it dry or put the heater back again to the surface to quicken up the pace. With all those procedures done, the once leaky shower floor is now watertight, so it should no longer exhibit any signs of leakage.

What Are the Costs Associated With Traditional Leak Repairs?

When a shower pan leaks but there are no matching tiles present for the repair (unless the homeowner has kept some), then your bathroom might require a full renovation. However, these full renovations usually cost around $20-30k.

If that is not cost-effective for you, then the plans usually presented by homeowners are not either. After all, they often suggest ripping out the bathroom and the shower tiles, its waterproofing layer, and sand or cement screed. It usually results in a mess with the final product looking worse, since it looks like they simply patched in the tiles. Its appearance will only remind you of the fact that your shower pan once leaked.

Fortunately, however, you can easily fix these shower floor leaks by applying Clear Waterproofing Membrane over your tiles. This product only cost $135.40 and is already a long-term or even a permanent fix for your leaks. By using this Clear Waterproofing Membrane, you can fix your leaky shower floor yourself without having to change its appearance. Also, you can fix the leak with it in a single day.

That makes the usage of a Clear Waterproofing Membrane over your tiles more cost-effective.

How Remedial Waterproofing Can Help

Clear Waterproofing Membrane is a two-part aliphatic polyurethane waterproofing layer. Aliphatic simply means that you can leave the membrane exposed to the environment and that you can walk on it without degrading its quality. Moreover, polyurethane remains recognized as one of the best waterproofing materials in the world.

The difference between our membrane and other polyurethane sheets is that our Clear Waterproofing Membrane is an over-tile installation. This means that you only need to secure the gaps between the tiles, and it will be ready to install already. Moreover, our membranes offer three different finish options: Gloss, Satin, and Matte.

Furthermore, our waterproofing membrane, as its name suggests, is clear. Because of that, you can apply it to your shower tile without changing its appearance at all. You can match its finish to the existing finish of your tiles and apply the membrane from one grout joint to another. That will make it harder to see where the application begins and ends.

Although we don’t claim that the Clear Over-Tile Waterproofing Membrane is invisible, without the knowledge of its application, it will be hard to notice and differentiate it from naked tiling.

Lastly, our waterproofing membrane comes with aggregate to make the surface slip-resistant. With that, your shower can be safely used by anyone in the family, may it be toddlers or the elderlies, as they will not easily slip despite the moisture on the floor.

It is no longer a stressful process to repair your leaky shower floor. The clear over-tile waterproofing membrane can repair it in one day and is simple enough to DIY.

Open & Operating through Corona Virus

By on March 26, 2020in Before & After

Remedial Membranes is located in a Regional Town so far unaffected by Corona Virus. That being said we are taking every precaution to ensure that we can continue operating through these uncertain times.

We have moved inventory to our home office so even under the strictest closures we will be able to continue to dispatch your orders without issues. Only when the couriers which are part of Countries Essential Services cease will orders be affected.

If you have an order placed and the courier services close for an unlimited amount of time then we will happily refund your order no questions asked.

Free Help Desk support will continue through this time so maybe make good use of this downtime to fix an issue yourself!

IF you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Jasmin on +61405930059

or mailto: info@remedialmembranes.com.au

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