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Hot mop showers vs waterproofing systems

197K views 162 replies 40 participants last post by  Eltorito 
#1 · (Edited)
i recently so a post on facebook . this shower was done using the hot mop technique . what is the big deal with this.. i HAVE NEVER DONE ONE. that is what waterproffing systems are for.. WHATS YOUR TAKE ON THIS TOPC ?
 

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#2 ·
Ive never done a hot mop or even seen one done. Most people in this area dont even waterproof. Ive looked at 3 showers in the past month that failed due to water intrusion, all about 5-7 years old. I had been using redgard but am now moving into using nobleseal ts thanks to all the info on this site.
 
#7 ·
I have seen here in Central Texas a few trucks with "tar waterproofing".
Here is a opening catch phase from their website TexTar
"The Ceramic Tile Institute, the single most reliable and trusted tile experts in the world, recommend the hot mop asphalt shower pan waterproofing method above all other methods such as pan liners or fiberglass." :laughing: don't know which claim to start with....I guess they seem not to know anything about single sheet membranes....
 
#8 ·
Hot mopped shower pans were the standard in the industry before the others came along. It almost seems to be a lost art now, except in the custom home industry and were a leakproof, waterproof pan is nessesary.
I've never done a Shuster, Redgard or any of the others because I refuse to compromise on quality.
See my photos for more info.
 

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#16 ·
How do the weep holes not get clogged with asphalt?
Don't mop the weep holes.

Sort of seems pointles too me with so many better options available now. The entire concept of addressing waterproofing below the substrate is the main reason for bathroom remodels today. Keep up the great work pepito.. :)
When you understand the tile and waterproofing concept, you will see why hot mopped is better, grasshopper.

So after everything you still have to mud .. Hot mop takes more time , doesn't ? ..

We as professionals have to be up to date with the latest and most innovative technologies...
Lol. Hot mopping takes less time than waiting for that silly glue to dry.
I take it you never served an apprenticeship or had any formal education in the construction industry.
 
#13 ·
Sort of seems pointles too me with so many better options available now. The entire concept of addressing waterproofing below the substrate is the main reason for bathroom remodels today. Keep up the great work pepito.. :)
 
#19 ·
Really, any system installed right works. After having the plumber go back so many times to do preslopes, my GC's let me install the liners. Nobles the first choice for underbed liner systems, topper membranes are Schluter or Noble. I've never done liquids as I don't trust them yet. Next stop will be foam pans.

I get that you don't clog the weep holes with asphalt but the drain isn't very wide near the screw holes so you get maybe 1/4" for asphalt to stick to. Seems like that would be a weak point. Also, the corners must have multiple layers of asphalt build out. All I know about hot mop is what I see on the video. Maybe you could explain more why you think it's better. Why is it mostly a California thing?
 
#26 ·
You can pay a professional to do your cost effective waterproofing, or you can DIY with expensive, single membrane liners,
glue, preformed corners, wonder board, red gard, shuster, kerdi etc. sell it to the unsuspecting home owner and stake your name and reputation on it.
Understanding the intregal drainage system of an all tile shower, expansion and contraction of wood structures,
the drying effect of cement based substraits on vinal pan liners and glues
are all available to anyone who cares to look it up.
All this talk about the smell, smoke damage, asphalt not belonging in the home, etc. is from amateurs who have never floated a wall or used a hot mop crew.
 
#27 ·
All this talk about the smell, smoke damage, asphalt not belonging in the home, etc. is from amateurs who have never floated a wall or used a hot mop crew.
:whistling try again, I was on commercial hot mopping crew

No worries, we know your fixation & belief is because of something in the water & it is just a regional issue

as for the smell, that is legit (now just because you can't smell it...)
never heard of smoke damage in a house - what did they bring the kettle in the house :jester:
 
#30 · (Edited)
Looks like someone doesn't know and doesn't know that he doesn't know.

Surface waterproofing is much better than placing the membrane 2" below the surface where the deck mud above it will get saturated with normal use. It's not about leaking necessarily.

If done right a regular sheet membrane pan will never wear out cuz it can't rot or crack. A hot mop is liable to last many decades too, but eventually will dry out and crack. But how long do you want it to last?

Failures in performance of both the traditional method, hot mop and metal pans (lead, copper), is why surface membranes were developed. They're completely waterproof & watertight, vapor proof and because only the surface gets wet the system dries fast unlike the other methods.

Jaz
 
#33 ·
Southern California lacks skilled people with the knowledge on new and innovative systems.. I'm in north California, i grew up in SoCal , I'm a true blue dodgers guy.. My point is that NOBODY PAYS DOWN THERE..i try looking for work to try to move back... Freaking 2 dollars a sqft for tile in some of these shops... Screw that... Again, my point, maybe it's cheaper to tar than to be up to date
 
#34 ·
Sheet membrane, liquid, hot-mop, copper - they All work well when done correctly. The real question is the ability to actually do it correctly. Imo sheet membranes take a large percentage of user error out of the equation. Then you have the issue of buildup for which liquid is better.

I don't see how skyhook can argue when essentially hot-mop is a liquid membrane, it just uses a really outdated way of doing it. Explain how liquid tar is any different than liquid rubber in the end product? To argue this is just being obtuse for the sake of it. I've found usually when old guys in construction jump up and down belittling new methods as being inferior to their "only right way" they usually are just old guys who refuse to learn anything new....
 
#37 ·
Well, some people are like that, stuck in their ways. That's like the people still using plumb bobs, I'll tell them "Umm, we have point lasers now, you can borrow mine". They'll say "Nope, don't trust it". I can never understand those arguments, it's like saying "Why buy an oven, why not rub two sticks together?". It's the tried and true method.
 
#38 ·
KennMacMoragh said:
Well, some people are like that, stuck in their ways. That's like the people still using plumb bobs, I'll tell them "Umm, we have point lasers now, you can borrow mine". They'll say "Nope, don't trust it". I can never understand those arguments, it's like saying "Why buy an oven, why not rub two sticks together?". It's the tried and true method.
What these people are trying to do is keep their customers convinced that their way is the best. Contractors know different so them tactics don't work here. I'm always the first to test a new product even if it's crap. That way I know if it's worth it or not. That why I no longer use Kerdi and use wedi now. Kerdi still works but wedi is just a more advanced tech and quicker.
 
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