TEC Hydraflex Under A Wetbed...

Graeson

My tile rep here in Philly just turned me on to TEC Hydraflex - another contractor at the store at the time swore by it as well... They were telling me that for wetbed installation you could apply this in place of the vinyl, PVC, or whatever membrane you use - pull the wetbed - then also apply it on top of the wetbed for ultimate protection!

I did my own online research and found out this stuff exceeds waterproofing standards for saunas, steam showers, and SWIMMING POOLS OF ALL THINGS! Gotta be good for a wetbed then right?

Got any experience with this stuff? Please reply!

Bud Cline

Well of course it does, that's a manufacturer's statement you are quoting there. You need more research and a basic understanding of how showers are to be built, that ain't it.

Graeson

Bud,

Thank you for your reply - I have read a few of your posts on this site and can plainly see that you know what you're talking about.

I have a more than basic understanding of how showers are to be built - the right way as well as the way most tile guys do it... And I also realize that what the manufacturer says something will do is sometimes different from what it actually does - I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with this particular product.

Bill_Vincent

Graeson-- I don't have any experience with the product, but I'd be curious as to how they expect you to use it, and still be able to tuck a vapor barrier into it, unless like Kerdi, they want you to cover the entire walls with it, or atleast 6' up the walls. Secondly, you NEVER waterproof twice. All it takes is a pinhole in the topcoat of waterproofing, which is easy to have happen, being that you're going to seal it to a plastic (usually) drain. Then you've created a way for the moisture to get in, and not too much chance of it going anywhere except the weepholes, instead of being able to also evaporate back out of the grout joints. Pretty much the same principle as a breatheable sealer.

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Graeson

Bill,

Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate it!

Magnum P.I.

I assume the product you are talking about is a liquid waterproofer. I have built many mud shower pans with Laticrete Hydroban. (Also used Redguard, Merkrete, 9235, and maybe even one or two others) Hydroban is a liquid waterproofer. I use it in conjunction with Denshield and have had perfect results. If cbu was used you would want to waterproof the walls as well. Special consideration must be made at the drain so as to keep the drain sealed if the water is going down the drain or up the drain. This method is sometimes called the divot method. A drain with a bonding flange could also be used. My major complaint about liquid waterproofed mud pans is all the steps I feel are necessary to make me comfortable. I think sheet membrane would save at least a day maybe two. Also be careful if you are trying to make the shower water vapor proof, as most liquid waterproofers do not adequately stop vapor. They are however waterproof. Don’t know if that is helpful or not.

Graeson

Extremely helpful... Thank you for sharing your experience!

Bill_Vincent

The only one I know of that's also vapor proof is Hydroment's Ultraset.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

Graeson

Thanks Bill! I'll check it out