Sub-floor Types & Waterproofing

Sub-floor types

Waterproofing

Waterproofing methods

Building code relating to waterproofing:

According to Australian Waterproofing Standards AS 3740, all shower floors must be waterproofed and all shower walls to be at least 1800mm should be waterproofed. All other walls such as the laundry wall must be waterproofed up to 150mm. The code came into place in 1996 (prior to this, waterproofing was not mandatory in homes). In Queensland and New South Wales, a bathroom must be waterproofed by a technician with a current and valid waterproofing license. In other states in Australia, a compliance certificate must be given by the waterproofer to assure the waterproofing has been installed to Australian Standard AS 3740. 

Depending on the state legislations and preferences, the waterproofing membrane can be applied above the screed, below the screed, or in some cases on both sides of the screed. Other names for a screed, is bedding, mortar or even slurry. When a bathroom is constructed, the screed is applied on the subfloor (the house’s foundation – e.g a concrete slab, cement sheeting, or yellow tongue) and is used to create the right fall toward the drainage points. The waterproofing is either underneath or on top, followed by the tiles and grout.