Knowledge Hub

April 1, 2021

Misconceptions about waterproof membrane elongation

ARDEX Australia

There is a wide misconception regarding the elongation properties of waterproof membranes and their ability to bridge cracks that form post membrane application.This bulletin endeavours to clarify the real meaning of elongation and elasticity in relation to bridging properties.

March 24, 2021

VIDEO: Critical factors in the structural design of steel-framed structures

Brendan Hasty

This video takes you through key factors when designing steel-framed structures including analysis, connections and detailing.

March 17, 2021

Green walls and the question of fire compliance

Andrew Barnett

With the increasing use of vertical green walls for sustainability and well-being, questions about their fire performance and compliance with the building code have been raised. Green wall construction is captured in either one of two places in the building code and it is dependent on where the green wall is located, with the typical path to compliance achieved using a performance-based approach.

March 14, 2021

Using hydrogel to replace membranes in basement waterproofing

Brendan Stead

A hydrogel formation can be induced in concrete by means of catalytic water-borne colloidal silicates. The hydrogel completely seals the porosity of the concrete, immobilising the moisture and preventing watermovement into or through the slab.

March 9, 2021

The importance of floor screed design - part 1

Dean Oliver

Sand-cement and concrete screeds are often skimmed over or overlooked completely when it comes to design. Often, the guy on the tools on the day of screeding ends up designing the screed.

March 1, 2021

Prescriptive vs. performance specifying: a trade-off between design liability and project risk

Dean Oliver

n this highly litigious modern-day society that we live, arse-covering has turned into an art form. Liability is like a hot potato and it’s all about transferring it away from oneself and onto another party.In engineering and architectural design that other party is usually the contractor. The designer is in a great position to pass the buck down the line wherever possible.

February 24, 2021

How to diagnose a leaking bathroom

Kos Roumanis

Water stained carpet in the hallway. Swollen and flaking bedroom wall. Musty odours near the bathroom. These are just some of the signs that a bathroom is leaking.

February 5, 2021

5 common liquid waterproofing installation mistakes

Dean Oliver

Waterproofing is a tedious business. So is carpentry. But unlike carpentry, if you make a waterproofing mistake, the consequences aren’t visible and don’t become apparent until it’s too late.

February 2, 2021

What are the Australian Standard requirements for waterproofing vertical termination details?

Dean Oliver

AS 4654.2 provides 3 options for vertical termination of a membrane.

January 14, 2021

What is the Australian Standard requirement for vertical termination height of external waterproofing?

Dean Oliver

The height requirement ranges from 40 mm to 180 mm depending on the building’s wind class.

September 2, 2020

What is the fall requirement for a balcony?

Dean Oliver

AS 4654.2 Waterproofing Membranes for External Above-Ground Use stipulates a fall requirement of no flatter than 1:100.

August 19, 2020

What is the fall requirement for a bathroom floor?

Dean Oliver

AS 3740 Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas stipulates a minimum fall of 1:100 for general bathroom floor areas.

August 18, 2020

How long does concrete need to cure before waterproofing?

Dean Oliver

The curing time for concrete before waterproofing membrane application depends on the waterproofing product being used and varies from 24 hours to 28 days.

August 13, 2020

What is the required thickness of a screed bed?

Dean Oliver

Whilst AS 3958.1 stipulates minimum thicknesses for bonded screeds and unbonded screeds, many factors need to be considered in order to determine the most appropriate screed/tile bed thickness.

August 4, 2020

What is the fall requirement for a shower floor?

Dean Oliver

AS 3740 Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas stipulates the shower fall requirement to the floor waste with and without vertical separation from the bathroom.