What You Need to Know About Liquid and Sheet Waterproofing Membranes

When it comes to protecting your house from water damage, you should never take any chances. Your best bet for preventing water from wreaking havoc in the home is to install a waterproofing membrane in the wet areas of the building.

There is a variety of waterproofing products on the construction market, but liquid and sheet membranes are the most commonly used. If you can't decide which of these two types of membrane is best for your home, don't fret—you've come to the right place.

The following guide explains what you need to know about each membrane type so you can make an informed decision for your project.

Liquid Membranes

Membranes of this type come in liquid form. They can be water-based, solvent-based or cementitious-based. As long as the substrate preparation is performed correctly, the liquid membrane adheres well to the material onto which it is being applied nicely. 

Unlike sheet membranes, these membranes don't need to be smoothed out. However, a uniform application of the product is required to achieve a completely watertight barrier.

Liquid membranes can be worked into hard-to-reach spaces that sheet membranes typically can't reach. The application options for liquid membranes are many—you can use a brush, roll or spray applicator. The choice of the appropriate applicator is solely yours to make.

The biggest drawback of liquid membranes is that you can unconsciously leave spaces in the seal when you're applying a liquid membrane.

Sheet Membranes

These membranes comprise rolls of thin waterproofing material that can be cut to size. The most obvious advantage of these waterproofing membranes is that they have a uniform thickness, meaning that all surfaces they are used on will enjoy the same level of protection from water infiltration.

Due to its consistent thickness, a sheet membrane just has to be applied once onto the substrate material. This saves time and minimises the risk of using more or less product.  

Like a liquid membrane, a sheet membrane has its limitations. For instance, it is not ideal for use in areas that are hard-to-reach. Plus, the seams between adjacent sheets of membranes must be sealed properly to avoid water seepage.

So, which of the two above-highlighted waterproofing membranes is right for your project? Each type of membrane has its unique features, pros and cons. With that said, no membrane option is inherently superior over the other. The right choice depends on what suits your project needs the best way possible. Contact a waterproofing contractor like Westside Sealants Pty Ltd for more information.