NHBC Standards 2023: Waterproof Membranes as a Tanking System

The UK’s leading provider of warranty and insurance for new homes, NHBC, sets the standards for all new homes built. The NHBC Standards 2023 updates in July 2023 outline that all bath and shower enclosures, wetrooms and bathroom pods must protect the walls and floors using an impermeable liquid applied waterproofing membrane behind the tiles to prevent the ingress of water or moisture into the structure.

Under this guidance, you are required to use liquid applied waterproof membrane products as a tanking system in these spaces to be compliant with NHBC standards. This technical update applies to all house builders and developers in the UK. This comes into effect for every NHBC registered home whose foundations are begun on or after 1st January 2024. 

NHBC Standards 2023 Update: Wall Tiling

Due to a rise in claims against NHBC insurance relating to the walls surrounding baths, shower enclosures and bathroom pods, NHBC have updated their position on appropriate substrates for tiling in these domestic areas. This guidance affects the NHBC Standards 2023 Clause 9.2.5 ‘Ceramic Wall Tiling’.

It advises that gypsum plasters should not be used where repeated or persistent wetting occurs and also that in wet areas like shower enclosures, backing surfaces require protection from a suitable tanking system. Top of the list of NHBC Standards 2023 (9.2/06, Table 2), which outlines the tanking system criteria for bathrooms and wetrooms, is liquid applied products like those from Intelligent Membranes.

NHBC Accepted Products On NBS

To remain compliant, only suitable NHBC accepted products which form a watertight covering for walls and floors should be used. Intelligent Membranes’ liquid applied waterproof membrane for walls and floors adheres to all NHBC regulations. Importantly, it is CE marked and complies with the NHBC specified standard EAD 030352-00-0503.

Poseidon Waterproof Membrane

Poseidon liquid applied waterproof membrane is a polymer based coating which dries to a flexible membrane. It has high crack bridging properties, for the waterproofing of concrete and cement based surfaces in showers, bathrooms, steam areas, wet rooms that need waterproofing prior to tiling. It is the ideal impervious waterproofing material for tanking which must now be introduced to ensure longevity of the bath or shower area. 

The Goat Waterproof Sealant

To ensure complete waterproofing, use crack bridging sealant in the corners. The Goat waterproof sealant is a quick drying reactive polymer that is waterproof within 1 minute of application. Once dry, it forms a flexible waterproof and airtight seal. It should be applied to bathrooms and wet rooms around the corners to prevent crack bridging prior to installation of Poseidon.

NHBC Standards 2023: Technical Guidance

Below is a technical guide on how and where to use waterproofing products in accordance with NHBC regulations. The diagrams have been taken directly from the NHBC Standards 2023 guide and edited to show how best to use Intelligent Membranes’ industry-leading waterproofing products in order to meet the specified regulations. If you want to understand how to remain fully compliant with NHBC Standards 2023, read the full guide here.

Both our liquid applied NHBC accepted products are extremely effective, versatile and easy to use. Poseidon waterproof membrane paint can be applied in various ways:

• Spray
• Roller
• Brush

Similarly, The Goat crack bridging sealant is simply applied with a mastic gun. 

Bath and shower areas (not power showers)

Wet rooms and power shower areas

NHBC Accepted Liquid Applied Waterproof Membranes

In order to adhere to the July 2023 updates to NHBC Standards 2023, choose Intelligent Membranes’ essential waterproofing products to install in all your new bath and shower enclosures, wetrooms and bathroom pods.

If you are seeking a liquid applied product that complies to NHBC standards, get in touch with us to see how we can help you before this comes into effect for every NHBC home on 1st January 2024.