Defect type
Critical · 3–5/5
Floor Waste Installed Without Puddle Flange
I examined the floor waste in the shower or bathroom and there is no puddle flange at the outlet - the waterproof membrane cannot be mechanically clamped down. Reference: AS 3740. In my experience any water that passes the tile grout or membrane edge then bypasses the drain and saturates the sub-floor. This is one of the most common causes I find for leaks into the unit below in apartment stock, and into sub-floor framing in houses.
Causes
- Plumber installed a standard waste rather than a puddle-flange fitting
- Waterproofer unable to terminate membrane correctly against an incompatible outlet
- Retrofit tiling over an older waste without upgrading the fitting
Symptoms to look for
- Damp or staining on the ceiling directly below the bathroom waste
- Grout loss or dark ring around the waste outlet
- Moisture meter spikes at the waste location with no visible surface defect
Remedies
- Cut out tiling around the waste, install a puddle flange, and clamp the membrane to it
- Replace any affected substrate or ceiling lining below the bathroom
- Retain waterproofing certificate and photos of the clamped flange for future compliance checks
Critical
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