Urgent: Terrace tile joints leakage

[ddn]

Dear forum members,

Our house was built around a year and a half back. For the terrace, we did the normal water proofing course (brick bats) and then laid tiles with paper joints.

Last year during the rains, we had a leakage from the terrace and the leakage was suspected to be from the joints between the tiles, as there is no water logging. The tile layer opened up all the joints and re-filled all the joints using the standard "powder" joint filler. This seemed to work and we did not have any more leakage last year and this year.

Unfortunately, the same leakage has re-occurred today and we are suspecting the joints have re-opened. Is there a permanent solution to this problem? What is the best and long lasting (even if expensive) way to fill tile joints (paper joints).

Given the heavy rains in Bangalore these days, I request the members to kindly suggest a solution at the earliest.

Thank you,
Dev

[ardesarchitects]

Hi Dev
Tiles on the terrace with paper joint is the most risky thing one can look at. In reality there is no paper joint in tiles ,you will see hair line width odd openings .
Water doesn't require a big opening ,it can pass through a hair line thick opening very easily and the grout cement cannot sit in such a small openings that to on a horizontal surface .It get washed away by heavy water flow during rains.
I would suggest you to make a groove cut in between all the tiles with a diamond blade cut machine exactly to the blade thickness and fill the gaps with epoxy resin .This the only way you can be assured for next 15 years min peaceful mind with out any worries about leak.
You can use expoxy like myk laticrete , ardexendura,weber from saintgobain.


Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.ardesarchitects.com
www.facebook.com/ardes.architects

[girishd]

Praveen,

We are planning for the following steps on top roof for waterproofing:
1. 12mm-chips concrete with waterproofing compound - Conplast X421 and provide a gradient for water flow.
2. Weather proof clay (WPC) tiles laid over that.

Would this be enough? Or We need to apply 1-2 coats of waterproofing solutions like Brushbond after Step1?

[ardesarchitects]

Hi Girish
first check the slab for leaks by storing water for 3" min on the slab for couple of days.If you find any leaks you can go for pressure grout and then 12mm chips concrete with waterproof compound.
Make sure WPC tiles are layed with 3mm spacer and fill them with epoxy .

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@gmail.com
www.ardesarchitects.com
www.facebook.com/ardes.architects

[girishd]

Thanks Praveen. Will follow your advice.

[ddn]

Thank you Praveen Sir. I will follow up on your suggestion and ask the tile layer to cut the tile joints and use the epoxy grouts suggested.

Regards,
Dev