What should be agreed before waterproofing and tiling?
Agree the room layout, product compatibility, responsibilities and checks at each handover before finishes cover the work. The written scope should identify who prepares the surface and completes each stage, and what records will be supplied. Curing and return-to-use timing must follow the selected manufacturer’s current instructions and the site conditions.
Checklist before discussing the work
- Confirm the positions of drains, fixtures, screens and built-in details with the relevant trades.
- Check that the actual primer, membrane, adhesive, grout and sealant products suit their use and adjoining materials.
- Agree what is checked before covering up, which photographs or product records are supplied, and who resolves unexpected conditions.
- Ask when the space can be used; a finished appearance is not a substitute for product-specific timing.
Sources and what they cover
- NSW Government — Waterproofing work ↗
Explains the membrane-based waterproofing trade and licensing categories. It does not establish the appointed contractor’s licence status or diagnose a leak.
- Service NSW — Check a builder or tradesperson licence ↗
Use the appointed contractor’s details to check the relevant licence record. This link is a checking tool, not a claim that Ellis holds a particular licence.
- ARDEX TB122 — Membranes onto existing tiles (PDF) ↗
Manufacturer guidance on concealed conditions and the limits of retaining existing tiled layers. Read the document’s stated application limits; it is not a specification for every shower.
The checklist helps prepare an enquiry. These sources provide general information, not a diagnosis, project specification or the current instructions for the selected products.
Confirm the room design
Finalise the practical positions of fixtures, drains, screens and built-in details with the relevant trades. Share the current layout and identify anything still undecided. Late changes can affect already completed work and the agreed programme.
Treat the products as a system
Primer, membrane, adhesive, grout and sealants must suit their use and adjoining materials. ARDEX explains that some premixed adhesives can have drying problems between a membrane and dense tile. The lesson is to check compatibility for the actual products, not to choose by convenience alone.
Define each handover
The written scope should say who prepares the surface, who completes each stage and what is checked before it is covered. Agree what photographs or product records will be provided and who resolves an unexpected condition.
Allow for curing and use restrictions
Ask for timing based on the selected manufacturer's current instructions and site conditions. Avoid substituting a generic number of hours for product-specific guidance. The time a tiled room looks finished may differ from the time it can be put into service.
Use this guide to prepare for a conversation. A site assessment and the selected system’s current instructions determine the work required for an individual property.
Questions that may come next
Choose the question that fits your situation, then use the guidance to discuss the work your property needs.
Explore related services
Further reading
Guide publisher: Ellis Waterproofing & Tiling · Ellis Services Group
This guide brings together project-planning questions and the official or manufacturer information listed on this page. The appointed contractor must confirm the cause, scope and product suitability for the actual property.
Content checked: · How we prepare our guides ↗