What is a Water-Stop?

Section 1.4.27 of AS3740 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas defines a water-stop as, “a vertical extension of the waterproofing system forming a barrier to prevent the passage of moisture in the floor”

A water-stop is a device to ensure water is isolated and controlled from affecting areas that should not be subjected to free-flowing water. A good example of this is a shower floor vs a bathroom floor, all reasonable effort should be made to ensure use of the shower floor does not lead to saturation of the bathroom floor.

A water-stop helps contain moisture in the tile bed from migrating horizontally, it does not contain surface water.

Water-stops must be installed to;

-          Bath surrounds with a framed up/tiled apron

-         At door openings of wet areas

-          Showers without hobs or step-downs are currently very popular, and the water-stop must separate the entire shower recess from the rest of the wet area flooring. Therefore, the shower screen shall be positioned;

(a)    over the top of the water-stop that defines the shower area; or

(b)    inside the water-stop that defines the shower area.