Composite waterproofing

Composite waterproofing with slabs and tiles

The term “composite waterproofing” describes the structure made up of at least two interconnected components for the protection of a building element against moisture. The components are normally the waterproofing itself, a tile cement that has been tested for use with the waterproofing material, and a wearing and protective layer of e.g. ceramic tiles.

Standards for composite waterproofing

Standards for composite waterproofing

In recent years, not only have waterproofing materials evolved, but so have the areas of application. As early as the 1980s, the Central Association of the German Building Trade (Zentralverband des Deutschen Baugewerbes) regulated the professional planning and execution of such waterproofing systems with the leaflet “Composite Waterproofing”.
The construction type became a generally recognised rule of technology with the transfer of the “old” DIN 18195 to the new series of standards DIN 18531 to 18535. Since early 2017, composite waterproofing for interiors has also been regulated by standards for the first time.
The five individual DIN standards each refer to the component to be waterproofed. All the individual standards have the same structure: While Part 1 deals with the planning and implementation principles, the other parts describe the material-specific regulations, particular areas of application and the application of the respective waterproofing materials.
Planning and execution principles
Load classes

Waterproofing with liquid-applied waterproofing materials in combination with tiles and slabs – in addition to other permissible types of construction – was enshrined in the new DIN in no fewer than three individual standards:
DIN 18531-5 – Waterproofing of balconies and walkways
DIN 18534 – Waterproofing for indoor applications
DIN 18535 – Waterproofing of tanks and pools

The load classes regulated at that time in the ZDB Guideline were adopted for the DIN in a modified form, supplemented and defined as component-related water impact classes.

Waterproofing systems for all load classes

With just three waterproofing systems, Remmers offers solutions for all water impact classes indoors and outdoors. Our waterproofing products and tile cements are specially designed for easy application in the various areas of use. All system products have passed the tests stipulated by the waterproofing standards, and some of them even have additional certifications such as the Emicode.

Advantages and properties of composite waterproofing

Protection against moisture

Remmers composite waterproofing systems provide long-term and reliable protection against water and damp for the building surface and the structure below.

Individual

We offer the perfect system for every scenario, as well as a wide range of colours for an individual finish.

Tested safety

In addition to meeting the requirements of the applicable standards, Remmers waterproofing products also undergo additional testing that vouches for their high quality.

Service

From technical matters to customer service, Remmers is on hand to answer any questions you may have about waterproofing. Need oursupport? Get in touch!

References

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral (FR)

SuperHub, Groningen, the Netherlands

Spiral staircase, Rapunzel Naturkost, Legau, Germany

go to references archive

Waterproofing for indoor applications

Rules and regulations

DIN 18534 gives planners and developers a set of rules for waterproofing floor and wall surfaces in indoor applications with a planned backwater height of up to 10 cm.

Within the meaning of this standard, indoor applications refers to surfaces that are exposed to splash water, service water or cleaning water. This is the case, for example, in bathrooms, commercial kitchens, and areas around swimming pools or shower facilities. The standard also covers production and commercial areas.

The waterproofing material must be chosen and designed in consideration of these impacts. As a general principle, the planning stage should also include an analysis of the suitable waterproofing types for the specific case in hand. Annex B of the standard provides a guide that includes criteria for selecting the right type of waterproofing.

Impacts on components in interiors

In Part 1 “Requirements and principles for design and execution”, DIN 18534 describes various impacts that must be considered during the planning and implementation stages.

Water impact classes
The water impact classes already known from the ZDB Guideline were carried over and expanded, resulting in four different impact levels from low (W0-I) to very high (W3-I). The water impact must be evaluated separately for each wall and floor surface, so it is not unusual for a bathroom to be assigned several different water impact classes.

The respective water impact class in each case also has an impact on the characteristics of the substrate. If the water impact is only low or moderate, moisture-sensitive substrates are permitted. In classes W2-I (high) and W3-I (very high), only substrates that are not sensitive to moisture may be used.

Examples of water impact classes according to DIN 18534:

1. Domestic bathroom with bathtub with shower and shower enclosure

2. Domestic bathroom with bathtub without shower and with shower tray without shower enclosure

3. Domestic bathroom with bathtub without shower and with shower tray with shower enclosure

4. Domestic bathroom with bathtub without shower and with floor-level shower without shower enclosure

5. Domestic bathroom with bathtub without shower and with floor-level shower with shower enclosure

6. Domestic bathroom with bathtub without shower and with shower tray with shower enclosure; floor drain in room

7. Communal showers in sports or commercial facility
Permitted exceptions

Waterproofing is not actually required for all water impact classes defined in the standard. DIN 18534 describes the following exceptions where waterproofing can be dispensed with:
On wall surfaces with moderate water impact (W1-I), if the substrates present are not sensitive to water
In the lowest water impact class (W0-I), as long as a water-repelling surface offers sufficient protection
On surfaces where no (splash) water impact is expected
Mechanical effects arising from the substrate

In addition to the effects of water, DIN 18534 describes additional mechanical effects that must be taken into account during planning. It is essential here that the waterproofing is able to absorb the expected movements from the substrate without damage. These movements can be caused by joints as well as cracks in the substrate.
The DIN standard makes a distinction between three joint types: joints in the waterproofing substrate (F1-I), joints at installation parts and penetrations (F2-I) or joints in the supporting structure (F3-I).
Existing cracks in the waterproofing substrate as well as opening construction joints must be sealed properly before starting the waterproofing work. In addition, possible changes in crack width and the formation of new cracks also play an important role in the choice of waterproofing. In this respect, the DIN standard has defined three crack classes.

Other impacts
In addition, depending on the type and use of the surface in question, other impacts may need to be considered.

The DIN standard describes possible chemical and thermal impacts, as well as mechanical impacts that arise from the use of the surface. These additional impacts are usually found in commercial kitchens or production facilities.

Choosing suitable waterproofing

Liquid-applied waterproofing materials Part 3 of DIN 18534 looks at the planning and execution of liquid-applied waterproofing materials in combination with a wearing surface of tiles and slabs. It must be borne in mind that not every waterproofing material is permissible for all water impact and crack classes.

Important:The waterproofing product requires either an ETA on the basis of ETAG 022 or a general building inspectorate test certificate according to PG-AIV-F. Furthermore, the waterproofing material should be tested according to DIN EN 14891. To avoid defects even where there is no damage, the composite waterproofing must be implemented in the tested system. Details of the permitted system components in each case, such as tile cement, joint tape or reinforcement fabric, can be found in the test certificate of the waterproofing product.

Important execution details

The waterproofing material is to be applied in two layers, regardless of its type. In the case of polymer dispersions, the two waterproofing layers must also be created in contrasting colours
For water impact class W3-I (very high), the checking of the layer thickness must be documented
When waterproofing floors, the waterproofing must be extended at least 5 cm up adjacent wall surfaces, as well as behind the frames around doors
Silicone sealants are not a replacement for waterproofing! Areas under or behind tubs are to be protected accordingly by continuing the waterproofing or, alternatively, by using tub sealing tape
For floor drains and channels as well as built-in parts, the flange width must be at least 50 mm; this does not include water impact classes W0-I to W2-I, for which 30 mm is sufficient

Optimised solutions for walls and floors

1. Primer Hydro F: Aqueous primer with strengthening effect

2. FF 1K light: Ready-to-use polymer dispersion for interior waterproofing

3. FF 1K dark: Ready-to-use polymer dispersion for interior waterproofing

4. FL fix: Flexible tile adhesive

5. Tape VF 120: High-quality, premium joint tape made from NBR with fabric coating

6. Tape VF 75 EC/100 IC: High-quality joint tape for internal and external corners made from NBR with fabric coating

7. Tape VF 120 VC: High-quality wall pipe collars made from NBR with fabric coating

8. Kiesol MB: Special primer

9. MB 2K: Multi-functional building waterproofing

10. FL fix: Flexible tile adhesive

Waterproofing balconies and walkways

DIN 18531, which has been in force since 2017, focuses on the waterproofing of roofs as well as balconies and walkways. In order to do justice to the variety of constructions, the standard is divided into five parts:

Part 1: Non-utilized and utilized roofs – Requirements and principles for execution and design
Part 2: Non-utilized and utilized roofs – Materials
Part 3: Non-utilized and utilized roofs – Selection, execution and detailing
Part 4: Non-utilized and utilized roofs – Maintenance
Part 5: Balconies and walkways

For the waterproofing of balconies and walkways, the standard is limited to the use of liquid-applied and sheet waterproofing materials. The waterproofing in combination with tiles and slabs can in turn only be carried out with liquid-applied waterproofing materials. It is also permitted to use crack-bridging, mineral waterproofing slurries (CM for short), as well as reaction resins (RM for short).

In addition, the standard sets specific requirements for the waterproofing system: For instance, the waterproofing material must be tested in accordance with the European DIN EN 14891 standard and bear the CE mark. The adhesives required for applying the tiles or slabs must be tested in the system and specifically named on the test certificate according to DIN EN 14891. It is not permitted to select an arbitrary combination of waterproofing material and tile adhesive for the composite waterproofing.

In contrast to the waterproofing standard for interiors, DIN 18531 does not define any specific water impact classes. Rather, it is assumed that there is a generally high exposure to precipitation water with temporary puddle formation.

Layer structure for balcony waterproofing

1. Sloped screed (e.g. with Betofix R4 EM)

2. Priming with Kiesol MB

3. Scratch coat of MB FL 2K

4. First waterproofing layer of MB FL 2K

5. Embedding Tape VF

6. Second waterproofing layer of MB FL 2K

7. Adhesive bed of MB FL 2K

8. Tile covering

9. Grout tiles with MB FL 2K

Classifying tile cements

As a component of the composite waterproofing, not only must the tile adhesive used be tested in the system with the waterproofing material (verification via general test certificate), it must also fulfil further requirements.

DIN 18531-5 specifies for waterproofing in combination with tiles and slabs that the tile adhesive must be tested according to DIN EN 12004 and that cementitious tile adhesives must also comply with at least class S1.

The classification for tile adhesives results from the European standards DIN EN 12004 and DIN EN 12002, according to which all tile adhesives traded in Europe must be tested and provided with the corresponding CE marking. The classes are categorised as follows:

Type of tile adhesive

The standard distinguishes between three types of adhesive mortars on the basis of their material properties. C Cementitious adhesive mortars D Dispersion adhesives R Reaction resin adhesives
Test of adhesive strength

The letter C indicates that the adhesive mortar is a cementitious tile cement. The number that follows indicates the class to which the tile cement is assigned on the basis of its adhesive pull strength values.
Application characteristics

The characteristics are determined on the basis of specific test criterial and may also appear in combination. T Thixotropic (reduced slipping) E Extended open time F Fast setting
Deflection

The deflection test provides information on the deformability and thus the flexibility of the tile adhesive. It is indicated by the letter S and classified as group 1 or 2. S1 Deflection at least 2.5 mm; S2 Deflection at least 5.0 mm.

Bonded waterproofing

36 products found

Acryl 100

Article No. 2736001

Premium acrylic sealant, fast-acting rainproof effect

Acryl pro

Article No. 780112

Plastoelastic sealing and adhesive compound

AW Pouring Compound 2K

Article No. 764106

Self-levelling, 2-component joint sealing compound on a synthetic resin/polyurethane base

Baseplan

Article No. 635825

Floor-levelling compound for interior areas

Betofix R4 EM [basic]

Article No. 108625

PCC I (RM) Concrete replacement mortar for repairing concrete structures/screed mortar

Clean FL

Article No. 065101

Cleaning concentrate for MB FL 2K

FF 1K

Article No. 286807

Ready-to-use polymer dispersion for interior waterproofing

FL fix

Article No. 281725

Flexible tile cement

FL fix [basic]

Article No. 285925

Plastic-modified tile cement

FL fix rapid

Article No. 286625

Flexible, fast-setting tile cement

FL fix white

Article No. 285025

White natural stone and tile cement

FL grout flex

Article No. 289106

Polymer-modified joint filler

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Bonded waterproofing