Decoupling Membrane

There are loads of instances where a

decoupling membrane is essential.

The primary purpose of a decoupler

is to separate your tiled area from the sub-base which may be subject to tension across the surface. Screeds with underfloor heating in will expand and contract during the heating up and cooling down process,this can cause cracks in the screed that will transfer to the surface.

Floors over boarded with plywood are also vulnerable .Plywood will expend and contact as it warm and cools separating the joints.

Newly installed screeds as they dry out

will shrink,expand or even crack,that is why it so important to commision underfloor heating systems correctly.

All the above are instances where you

might want to use membrane.and they are all examples of where the movement in the substrate can crack your finished tile surface

Substrates

What are the weight limits for walls

Gypsum plaster - 20kg/m2
Gypsum plasterboard 32kg/m2

(with out skim)

Tile backer board lightweight 40kg/m2
Reinforced cement boaed 50kg/m2

Underfloor Heating

Cement based adhesives and grouts

set hydravlically i.e. water is involved

in the hardening reaction.

If the adhesive is "forced" to dry out before it has hardend naturally, the adhesive and grouts will become week and crumble. Its important that the heating system is off when the tiles are being fixedand remains offuntil adhesive and grout have fully cured.

Generally,you should keep the heating turned off at least 14 days to allow adhesive and grout to cure. After 14days bring the system up to its operating temperature gradually in stages over a few days,do not exceed 27'c and no more than 5'c per day.

Water based underfloor heating systems encased in sand and cement or anhydrite screed require a different approch, the heating system should be correctly commissioned ( naturally cured and expanded ) prior to tiling and switched off during tiling installation.Drying times for

this situation can vary by the products used in the sceed in the water pipes and can be anything from week and upto 75 days! in most cases you can fast track on installation with the use of a decoupling membrane.

Tanking System

Tanking is compulsory in wet rooms even if the wet room has been constructed with water-proof tile backer boards screw holes and joints in the boards will leak!

Applying tanking sytems in wet areas such as shower ,over the bath tub and basin is a really good idea,without it if water comes in to contact with plasterboard,joints or concrete overtime you will experience problems

that you will not appreciate,costing you a lot of money in damage and repairs .Tanking therefore is our professional opinion essential