Hello everyone,
I had the wall tiles in my bathroom replaced by a tiler. The bathtub remained the original one; only the tiles were renewed. My plumber has now pointed out that no Elastogum or similar waterproofing material was applied under the tiles (the bathtub can also be used for showering). My tiler said that when replacing tiles while keeping the existing bathtub (existing structure), this is not necessary – and if it were, it would be the plumber’s responsibility.
Therefore, my question is: does the DIN 18534 standard not apply in this case? I want to protect myself legally with regard to the property owner. In bathroom renovations where, for example, a walk-in shower is installed, waterproofing must definitely be applied. For my specific case, I cannot find any legally binding requirements. Of course, waterproofing would also be technically advisable here, but my question is only whether it is required.
Thanks in advance for any helpful answers.
I had the wall tiles in my bathroom replaced by a tiler. The bathtub remained the original one; only the tiles were renewed. My plumber has now pointed out that no Elastogum or similar waterproofing material was applied under the tiles (the bathtub can also be used for showering). My tiler said that when replacing tiles while keeping the existing bathtub (existing structure), this is not necessary – and if it were, it would be the plumber’s responsibility.
Therefore, my question is: does the DIN 18534 standard not apply in this case? I want to protect myself legally with regard to the property owner. In bathroom renovations where, for example, a walk-in shower is installed, waterproofing must definitely be applied. For my specific case, I cannot find any legally binding requirements. Of course, waterproofing would also be technically advisable here, but my question is only whether it is required.
Thanks in advance for any helpful answers.
Hello questioner.
The topic you asked about is complex—which is probably why no one has answered your question so far.
To answer it: yes, DIN 18534 Part 1 also applies here.
Now, the details actually depend on whether the bathtub is equipped with a (hand) shower or not.
If there is a shower in the bathtub, but a partition wall (or splash guard) in front of it, or if the bathtub does not have a shower, then both the floor and wall fall under exposure class W1-I.
This means: moderate exposure without intensification from standing water.
DIN 18534-1 requires waterproofing according to the standard when there is (among other things) moderate water exposure, so also for W1-I!
DIN 18534 (from July 2017) specifies in Part 3 that for exposure class W1-I, the type of waterproofing to be used is polymer dispersion.
To put it simply:
If, for example, a wall surface is being newly constructed— in this case above a bathtub—waterproofing with a polymer dispersion must be applied before tiling is installed (after the waterproofing has cured)!
As a preparatory step, note that the bathtub does not have to be removed in order to add a missing waterproofing layer. That would be excessive.
But!
According to current standards, the bathtub edge adjoining the wall surfaces must be sealed with a sealing tape. A flexible sealant, which is often confused with sealing tape, is not considered waterproofing according to the standard!! This means: degrease the bathtub edge at the wall, prime it with a suitable primer, then embed the sealing tape in the wet adhesive—such as epoxy resin—on the bathtub side. On the wall side, the protruding sealing tape is embedded into the liquid polymer dispersion. After it has cured, the exposed sealing tape is coated again with the polymer dispersion.
The sealing tape is thus embedded both below and above in the polymer dispersion. In the corners, appropriate prefabricated corner pieces from the sealing tape manufacturer must be used.
As you can see, it is not that simple—but in this case, the tiler is incorrect.
He did not follow the technical rules of the trade, so his work does not meet the current state of the art (which he owes you!!) and is therefore defective and requires correction.
Looking ahead to how a correction will look, I only need to say the keyword "dismantling." That way, you know what the installer will have to prepare for.
Best regards, KlaRa
The topic you asked about is complex—which is probably why no one has answered your question so far.
To answer it: yes, DIN 18534 Part 1 also applies here.
Now, the details actually depend on whether the bathtub is equipped with a (hand) shower or not.
If there is a shower in the bathtub, but a partition wall (or splash guard) in front of it, or if the bathtub does not have a shower, then both the floor and wall fall under exposure class W1-I.
This means: moderate exposure without intensification from standing water.
DIN 18534-1 requires waterproofing according to the standard when there is (among other things) moderate water exposure, so also for W1-I!
DIN 18534 (from July 2017) specifies in Part 3 that for exposure class W1-I, the type of waterproofing to be used is polymer dispersion.
To put it simply:
If, for example, a wall surface is being newly constructed— in this case above a bathtub—waterproofing with a polymer dispersion must be applied before tiling is installed (after the waterproofing has cured)!
As a preparatory step, note that the bathtub does not have to be removed in order to add a missing waterproofing layer. That would be excessive.
But!
According to current standards, the bathtub edge adjoining the wall surfaces must be sealed with a sealing tape. A flexible sealant, which is often confused with sealing tape, is not considered waterproofing according to the standard!! This means: degrease the bathtub edge at the wall, prime it with a suitable primer, then embed the sealing tape in the wet adhesive—such as epoxy resin—on the bathtub side. On the wall side, the protruding sealing tape is embedded into the liquid polymer dispersion. After it has cured, the exposed sealing tape is coated again with the polymer dispersion.
The sealing tape is thus embedded both below and above in the polymer dispersion. In the corners, appropriate prefabricated corner pieces from the sealing tape manufacturer must be used.
As you can see, it is not that simple—but in this case, the tiler is incorrect.
He did not follow the technical rules of the trade, so his work does not meet the current state of the art (which he owes you!!) and is therefore defective and requires correction.
Looking ahead to how a correction will look, I only need to say the keyword "dismantling." That way, you know what the installer will have to prepare for.
Best regards, KlaRa
Thank you very much for this detailed response. So, I am dealing with an uninformed tiler who gave me poor advice? Only the tile installation was commissioned, and that is all he did. He should have informed me that waterproofing is absolutely necessary, right? According to him, waterproofing is not required in this case – which would basically make him unprofessional.
Well, professional incompetence may be based on other factors as well.
If we are talking about ignorance, he obviously did not keep up with the important developments in waterproofing standards. This certainly does not protect him from liability claims if the worst should happen.
In my statements, I assumed that he removed the old tiles and rebuilt the wall surface. In that case, what I said applies without restriction.
Regards, KlaRa
If we are talking about ignorance, he obviously did not keep up with the important developments in waterproofing standards. This certainly does not protect him from liability claims if the worst should happen.
In my statements, I assumed that he removed the old tiles and rebuilt the wall surface. In that case, what I said applies without restriction.
Regards, KlaRa
Yes, the comment about professional incompetence was a bit exaggerated. Unfortunately, the gentleman is familiar with the new regulations but believes that waterproofing is not required for a simple tile replacement. Well, thank you very much for the assistance—I am currently preparing the notice of defects.
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