Sheet Membrane vs Liquid Applied membrane

[Bringatowel]

Theres been a recent resurgence of projects (here in NZ) using sheet membranes and Im baffled as to why.
I am struggling to find any benefit in using them and we are losing out on jobs because it is too expensive, both in material cost, labour and time.
Some of the solvents used are also highly carcinogenic/flammable, which exposes our applicators to health risks and causes further problems where projects are interfacing with the public.

We are now turning away work which has sheet membranes specified, due to the risks of installer error, the price of materials/equipment, the difficulty of finding an applicator, and the time it takes to install.

We have waterproofed thousands of commercial projects with several different liquid membranes with a very high success rate, I think only two leaks detected in total over 20 years.
We have used sheet membranes twice, with two different applicators, and had issues both times. (Both installer error, but nonetheless...)

Is anyone else in the same boat?
Can only find a little info on google, but, most ironically, saying sheet membrane have less chance of human error..
Do sheet membranes have a place in the future of tiling?

 

[Dhtiling]

Not sure as to why they are switching, but I have to agree there is less chance of error with sheet membranes. I know plenty of folks who use liquids incorrectly.

 

[Bringatowel]

Not sure as to why they are switching, but I have to agree there is less chance of error with sheet membranes. I know plenty of folks who use liquids incorrectly.

Thanks Dh
Would be interested in hearing more
Im on the other side of the fence as you can tell, but perhaps I just had some bad luck?

What sheet membranes do you use?
The problems we had were both with Ardex WPM750

 

[Dumbo]

I prefer sheet membranes and at present use the codex one ,
How are they carcinogenic as surely their is not dust from the product during install

 

[Bringatowel]

I prefer sheet membranes and at present use the codex one ,
How are they carcinogenic as surely their is not dust from the product during install

Sorry, just checked the safety sheets, not carcinogenic, but rather toxic.
Ardex WPM750 is not a peel and stick, it requires a solvent based adhesive and seam primer WA98 & WPM299, and WA98s for cleanup. The adhesives not so bad, as its quite viscous, but the seam primer and solvent are quite volatile.
Found the applicator trying to use the WA98s with a cloth over his mouth, had to stop him and buy him a VOC-respirator before I let him continue..

 

[Dumbo]

Sorry, just checked the safety sheets, not carcinogenic, but rather toxic.
Ardex WPM750 is not a peel and stick, it requires a solvent based adhesive and seam primer WA98 & WPM299, and WA98s for cleanup. The adhesives not so bad, as its quite viscous, but the seam primer and solvent are quite volatile.
Found the applicator trying to use the WA98s with a cloth over his mouth, had to stop him and buy him a VOC-respirator before I let him continue..

Change membrane to something simpler to use.

 

[Bringatowel]

Change membrane to something simpler to use.

That would make it too easy
We often have specifications which dictate what materials are to be used - at the architects discretion, we can sometimes substitute for similar products.
We had offered a 10% discount on the total for using alternative materials, but architect said no.

 

[Old Mod]

Have you actually spoken with these architects in person, or has it only been by email?
I generally find that I can sway an architect to my way of thinking as long as I am direct and professional in my approach.
Most I find are only quoting a salesman pitch and don’t really have a clue what they’re talking about.
I’ll agree with above, I’m more comfortable with sheet membranes over a paintable tanking system.

 

[Dumbo]

Have you actually spoken with these architects in person, or has it only been by email?
I generally find that I can sway an architect to my way of thinking as long as I am direct and professional in my approach.
Most I find are only quoting a salesman pitch and don’t really have a clue what they’re talking about.
I’ll agree with above, I’m more comfortable with sheet membranes over a paintable tanking system.

See that doesn't work for me , I had a architect specify bal adhesive, so I said to him what do you want , he said bal adhesive , so I said what do you want white star ,blue star ,green star, ct1, rapid set , pourable thick bed , what do want , he said well bal adhesive , so I said either specify properly or don't bother as asking for one particular brand isn't specifying , and do you know what I never ended up doing that work which I dont understand because i thought we got on really well .

 

[Old Mod]

See that doesn't work for me , I had a architect specify bal adhesive, so I said to him what do you want , he said bal adhesive , so I said what do you want white star ,blue star ,green star, ct1, rapid set , pourable thick bed , what do want , he said well bal adhesive , so I said either specify properly or don't bother as asking for one particular brand isn't specifying , and do you know what I never ended up doing that work which I dont understand because i thought we got on really well .

Well Jerry 😊 if you spoke that way to me, I wouldn’t give you the work either! 😂😂

#justsayin 😁