Waterproofing & Tiling FAQs

We assess the source first, then quote the suitable repair. Grout or silicone renewal may suit a joint problem; membrane renewal can require tile removal and coordinated retiling. Plumbing or waste leaks need a separate trade scope, so a visible stain alone does not establish membrane failure. Read the comparison of surface and membrane repairs for the limits of each option.

Yes. We provide pool-interior waterproofing and pool surround tiling as separate services. For the pool interior, we assess the existing lining, surfaces and junctions before specifying the waterproofing system and finish. Your quote identifies the agreed interior work separately from coping and terrace tiling.

We install the specified wet-area waterproofing before the tiled finish, with surface preparation, drainage and junction details coordinated as part of the service. Tiles and grout alone do not provide the waterproofing layer.

There is no single service-life figure for every membrane. The installed system, base condition, movement, exposure and use affect performance. We assess accessible surfaces and explain any investigation or renewal needed; intact tiles alone do not establish the condition beneath them.

A local joint repair may be possible if assessment supports it. Regrouting or resealing does not replace a failed concealed membrane. We check the surface, joints and likely water-entry source, then identify any tile removal and membrane work in the written quote. The no-tile-removal explanation separates joint renewal from concealed membrane work.

It depends on the selected system and the condition of the existing tiles and substrate. Waterproofing over tiles does not repair a failed concealed membrane. We inspect the area on site and specify any tile removal and preparation needed in the repair plan and written quote.

Not every shower leak needs a whole bathroom replacement. Assessment helps distinguish a joint problem, a plumbing source and affected waterproofing. We explain whether a targeted repair is suitable or which layers and finishes need removal and renewal.

Keep the affected shower out of use and call our 24-hour phone line. Night and weekend attendance is available across Adelaide. Attendance may be possible from 30 minutes, subject to team availability, suburb, traffic and safe access; we confirm the current estimate by phone. Temporary protection and permanent waterproofing have separate scopes, with pricing based on the site findings. Plumbing investigation may need a separate trade before retiling.

We inspect the damaged tile and surrounding base before replacement. Matching tile availability, access and any underlying damage determine the scope. Your quote identifies the repair area and any preparation or waterproofing work needed.

Regrouting renews grout between tiles; resealing renews silicone at movement junctions and edges. We remove the deteriorated material, prepare the included joints and install suitable replacements. Neither process replaces a failed membrane, so recurring leaks need source assessment before the repair scope is agreed.

Over-tiling may suit a sound, well-bonded base with acceptable flatness and finished height. We assess those conditions, edges and transitions before confirming the scope. Loose tiles or a failed concealed waterproofing layer need their own preparation or repair; another tile layer does not fix them.

We install your selected tiles or include tile supply in the agreed scope. We confirm quantities, format, thickness and responsibility for materials before work begins. You can contact Ellis before choosing or buying tiles.

Larger tiles can bridge variations in the base, affecting support, alignment and preparation. Flatness is different from making every floor level: the intended falls and complete floor build-up still matter. Our large-tile base preparation guidance explains what needs assessment before installation and quoting.

We check the complete floor build-up at adjoining rooms, doors and appliances before installation. Tile thickness, adhesive and base preparation together determine the finished height. We plan the transitions with the layout; see floor height transitions and connected-room layout for the details to check.

We plan the splashback from the final benchtop position and check the wall and any gaps left by replacement work before tiling. We use a suitable flexible detail at movement junctions. See wall and benchtop readiness before arranging the work.

We plan the tile layout around outlets, exposed edges and the final benchtop. We check materials and clearances against the appliance instructions and applicable installation requirements; plumbing and electrical changes have their own trade scope. Our splashback layout and material guidance explains the assessment points.

There is no universal before-or-after rule. The specified waterproofing system determines whether the membrane sits above or below the screed or tile bed. Ellis confirms the project sequence before construction, coordinating drainage falls, junctions, finished tile height and the required waiting stages. Changing that sequence needs review of the complete system.

It may be possible, depending on the layout, existing waste and drainage falls. We assess those details before membrane and tile installation. Any plumbing changes are a separate trade scope, with responsibilities and timing confirmed before the affected stages begin.

Appearance alone cannot confirm the concealed membrane's condition. We inspect the wet area, identify which layers the renovation will remove and explain the assessed renewal scope. If removal exposes extra substrate work, we obtain written approval before it proceeds.

We provide bathroom and wet-area waterproofing, wall and floor tiling, tile repairs, regrouting, shower resealing and pool surround tiling across Adelaide. We also assess and carry out roof, balcony, exterior wall and pool-interior waterproofing, selecting the system and scope for the existing surface and project requirements.

We assess the area, base condition, tile format, cuts, access and materials before quoting. Your itemised quote identifies the preparation, removal, substrate repairs, material supply, edges and joints, waste arrangements and finish included. We distinguish separate trades and exclusions and explain how additional findings affect cost or timing. Use the quote comparison checklist to compare the same scope.

We coordinate preparation, membrane application, readiness checks, tiling and finishing for the selected system. We explain the waiting stages and which areas need to remain clear so you can plan household access. Surface dry, ready to recoat, ready to tile and ready for use are different milestones, confirmed against the product instructions and site conditions. See our drying and curing milestones when arranging household access.

We confirm likely downtime before work and explain when you can walk on, clean or expose the finished area to water at handover. These uses can have different waiting periods, based on the installed adhesive, grout and silicone, their product instructions and site conditions. Readiness to tile is a separate stage, and a touch-dry surface alone does not confirm readiness for use. The return-to-use guide explains why appearance alone is not a readiness check.

We explain the exposed condition and the additional work required, including its cost and timing. Extra work is confirmed with you in writing before it proceeds.

We explain the completed work and provide care and return-to-use instructions for the installed materials. Your written scope identifies the preparation, installation, checks and records agreed for the project. Ask about any applicable product and workmanship terms before booking; they are separate and depend on the agreed scope. Our handover and warranty questions help you clarify the job-specific records and terms.

Share the property location, affected room or surface, what you have observed and when it occurs. Provide the owner, property manager or strata contact, who can authorise work, and access arrangements for the affected and adjoining areas. Let us know about tenant appointments, keys, parking or building entry restrictions. Confirm authority before booking; our assessment describes the work and does not decide ownership boundaries, legal liability or who must pay.

Start with the rain pattern and the affected indoor area. We assess accessible roof surfaces and junctions before confirming whether local waterproofing is suitable. Tell us when the leak starts, any known wind direction and previous repairs. The written scope distinguishes inspection, the proposed repair, access and any further investigation or separate roof work.

The entry path and condition beneath the tiles determine the choice. Grout renewal treats tile joints, flexible sealing treats suitable movement junctions, and membrane renewal treats a different layer with its own removal and reinstatement scope. We check thresholds, falls, outlet connections and the accessible base before recommending what can be retained.

Describe the wall direction, when moisture first appears and whether a nearby balcony, roof edge or window junction is also wet. A stain beside a window does not locate the source on its own. We assess accessible wall waterproofing details; window-unit or glazing repairs and separate drainage work require their own scope.

A clear grate does not establish the condition or capacity of the pipe below. Tile-bed low spots, falls, outlet height and adjoining ground levels also influence surface drainage. We assess the tiled surface and base for a retiling scope. Suspected pipe blockage or damage needs separate drainage assessment before surface work is planned.

Appearance alone is not a readiness check. Moisture in the substrate, the retained tile bed and existing coatings need assessment against the selected membrane and adhesive requirements. Application conditions, protection from rain and return-to-use stages can differ. We confirm the installation sequence for the materials and actual site conditions.

Compare the assessed entry path, removal area, base repairs, membrane boundary and connection to outlets or thresholds. Check whether tile supply, adhesive, grout, flexible joints, waste removal and reinstatement are included. Access, weather protection, readiness checks and any separate trade work should be clear. Concealed findings can change the scope and need written agreement before extra work proceeds.

Porcelain is a dense, low-absorption type of ceramic material, although Australian retail ranges commonly list porcelain and ceramic separately. Ceramic ranges include wall and floor products; natural stone is quarried material identified by its stone type. We check the actual product designation and intended use. The finish, weight, thickness and fixing requirements still need review for your surface.

No. Matt describes appearance, not verified slip performance. We review the selected product’s wet-use slip information and proposed location, including barefoot comfort at a pool edge. Drainage, grout joints, cleaning and the coping profile also matter. A wall tile or polished finish should not be selected for a wet floor solely because its colour matches.

We compare smooth glazed ceramic and porcelain with the proposed wall use and cleaning routine. A smooth surface can make wiping easier, but dried water and soap deposits may still show. Gloss and satin change the appearance; textured surfaces and mosaic joints change the cleaning detail. Use the tile and grout care instructions, and keep the separate waterproofing scope clear.

Smooth glazed ceramic or porcelain is worth comparing with deeply textured tiles and small mosaics. Check the actual surface, exposed grout and product cleaning instructions rather than relying on a gloss or matt label. We assess tile layout, cement-based or epoxy grout suitability and the flexible benchtop junction. Materials near the cooktop also need to suit the appliance instructions and project requirements.

Use the actual material’s care instructions. Marble, limestone and travertine can be affected by acidic cleaners, while real terrazzo, cement and terracotta products may have specific sealing requirements. Sealing is not a substitute for a wet-area membrane or a promise against every stain. Stone-look or terrazzo-look porcelain is porcelain with that appearance, not the natural or cement-based material it resembles.

No. Mosaic describes a format, rectified describes the edge treatment and stone-look describes appearance. A mosaic may be glass, porcelain, ceramic or stone. Polished, matt, gloss and lappato describe different surface finishes. We record the actual material, size, finish and installation location together so the adhesive, joints, edges and care can be assessed correctly.

No. A primer prepares the bonding interface, a moisture barrier addresses specified moisture or vapour conditions, and a sealant treats designated joints. Their exact roles depend on the product. We specify the main membrane and compatible junction materials separately; a moisture-control coating is not automatically a flexible wet-area membrane.

Some products are specified for exterior under-tile use. Water-based describes the formulation medium, not an indoor-only use category. We check the exact product, substrate, weather exposure, covering and tile-adhesive compatibility. Exterior suitability does not automatically mean the membrane can remain permanently exposed.

No. Polyurethane describes the chemistry, not the complete exposure rating. Some roof systems require a specified UV-resistant topcoat over the base membrane. We assess the existing roof and agree the compatible primer, membrane, detailing and protection together. A generic coating name is not a complete roof specification.

Neither assumption is reliable. Polymer-modified cementitious ranges include flexible products, but movement, immersion and water-pressure suitability are product-specific. For a pool, we check permanent immersion, the base, water treatment, tile adhesive, grout and curing before filling as one system. A membrane suitable for rain exposure is not automatically suitable for continuous immersion.

Coat count alone is not enough. The selected system specifies preparation, coverage, film thickness, junction treatment, recoat conditions and curing before covering or use. We follow those product requirements and agree any project checks. A surface that looks dry may not be ready for tiling, rain exposure or pool filling.

No. We check the nominated system’s approved components and detailing method. Corners, pipe collars, tape and bond-breaking treatments have specific roles; one approved tape detail may replace a separate bond breaker in that system, while another system needs a different method. Tile adhesive and protective topcoats also need compatibility confirmed.