Repair Systems — 01
Liquid-applied acrylic and water-based waterproofing membranes
Technical product reference for liquid-applied acrylic, SBR polymer, and water-based waterproofing membranes. Covers product classification, exposure suitability, system selection, and brand comparisons for Australian Class 2 strata building applications.
What are liquid-applied acrylic and water-based membranes?
Liquid-applied acrylic and water-based membranes are flexible waterproofing products applied by roller, brush, or spray to form a seamless membrane layer on primed substrates. This group includes pure acrylic membranes, acrylic protective and weatherproof coatings, SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) polymer membranes, and related water-based systems. They are widely used in Australian residential construction for wet area and under-tile waterproofing, and in certain formulations for exposed wall, facade, roof, and pedestrian deck applications. Not every product in this group is suitable for the same use — exposure conditions, finish type, trafficability, and substrate condition each determine which product is appropriate.
Product Reference
6 products — 3 brands — acrylic, SBR and water-based membranes — scroll to view all
ARDEX WPM 909
Acrylic — trafficable / exposed
Water-based single-component acrylic membrane — exposed pedestrian trafficable use
System Description
ARDEX WPM 909 is a water-based single-component acrylic waterproofing membrane designed for exposed pedestrian trafficable balcony, terrace, and deck surfaces. Unlike under-tile SBR systems, WPM 909 is formulated for direct exposure — UV resistance, anti-slip surface texture, abrasion resistance, and cleanability are key differentiators. Apply by roller in multiple coats on primed, prepared concrete or substrate. The finish coat provides the trafficable and weatherproof surface without a tile or screed overlay. Confirm primer selection, application rate, number of coats, and anti-slip grade requirements with ARDEX technical before specifying.
Technical Properties
- UV-resistant acrylic formulation — designed for prolonged direct sun and weather exposure on horizontal surfaces
- Trafficable pedestrian finish — anti-slip surface — no tile or screed overlay required
- Abrasion resistant — suitable for balcony and podium foot traffic areas
- Water-based — low VOC — suitable for occupied strata environments during application
- One-component — no mixing — straightforward site application in multiple coats
Limitations
- Not for vehicular traffic — pedestrian use only — confirm load and traffic conditions before specifying
- Anti-slip grade must be confirmed against NCC and project requirements — confirm with ARDEX technical
- Primer mandatory — confirm ARDEX-compatible primer for the specific substrate before application
- Not a substitute for a classified membrane system under tiles or screed — this is an exposed finish product
- Confirm current product name, specification, and exact trafficable classification with ARDEX Australia before specifying — product range subject to revision
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
ARDEX WPM 310
Acrylic — exposed protective coating
Water-based acrylic protective coating and waterproofing membrane — facades, roofs, external surfaces
System Description
ARDEX WPM 310 is a water-based acrylic membrane positioned primarily for exposed walls, facades, roof decks, and external protective coating applications rather than as a standard under-tile balcony membrane. It forms a flexible, UV-stable waterproof barrier on vertical and horizontal substrates. Typical uses include external wall waterproofing, facade protection, parapet capping, and areas requiring a painted or coated finish rather than a tiled or screed-covered surface. Do not treat as equivalent to an under-tile polyurethane balcony membrane — the purpose, application rate, and detailing requirements are different. Confirm traffic, load, and finish requirements with the current ARDEX WPM 310 TDS before specifying.
Technical Properties
- UV-stable acrylic — suitable for exposed vertical and horizontal external surfaces including facades and roof decks
- Flexible — accommodates minor substrate movement and thermal expansion on external building elements
- Breathable formulation — allows vapour transmission — suitable for substrates that may have residual moisture
- Water-based — safe for application near occupied spaces — low odour
- Suitable for concrete, masonry, and render substrates where primer is correctly applied
Limitations
- Not a standard under-tile balcony membrane — do not substitute for a classified AS 4858 system in under-tile balcony applications without confirming suitability with ARDEX technical
- Foot traffic and load limits apply — confirm with current TDS before specifying in any trafficable application
- Primer mandatory — substrate condition and priming sequence directly affects adhesion and performance
- Colour range limited — typically supplied in standard colours — confirm colour options with ARDEX Australia
- Confirm current product name and full specification with ARDEX Australia — product descriptions subject to periodic revision
Crommelin Wetite
SBR polymer — under-tile / wet area
Single-component SBR polymer waterproofing membrane — under-tile and wet area use
System Description
Crommelin Wetite is a single-component SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) polymer waterproofing membrane widely used in Australian residential wet area and under-tile balcony applications. It is applied by brush or roller in two coats directly to primed substrates, with reinforcing bandage embedded at all corners, coves, penetrations, and wall-to-floor junctions. Wetite is a covered membrane system — it is designed to be overlaid with tiles, screed, or a protective topping. It is not formulated as an exposed or trafficable finish. The SBR chemistry provides good adhesion to standard substrates and flexibility adequate for residential-grade wet area and light balcony applications.
Technical Properties
- SBR polymer chemistry — reliable adhesion to concrete, masonry, and fibre cement substrates with correct primer
- Complies with AS 3740 for domestic wet area waterproofing when correctly applied at specified DFT
- Widely available nationally — familiar product with established application trade knowledge
- Water-based — safe for use in enclosed bathroom and wet area environments
- Suitable for use under ceramic and porcelain tile systems after full cure with compatible tile adhesive
Limitations
- Not an exposed trafficable membrane — must be covered by tiles, screed, or an approved protection system
- Not formulated for prolonged direct UV exposure — do not leave uncovered in external sun-exposed locations
- SBR polymer provides less elongation than polyurethane — confirm suitability for substrates with active movement or significant thermal cycling
- Primer required on most substrates — confirm Crommelin-compatible primer selection before application
- Confirm current product specification and AS 3740 compliance status with Crommelin before specifying — product TDS is the definitive reference
Crommelin Wetite Rapid
SBR polymer — rapid dry — under-tile / wet area
Water-based SBR polymer membrane — rapid dry — faster tile-over times
System Description
Crommelin Wetite Rapid is the rapid-dry version of Crommelin Wetite — formulated to reduce drying time between coats and accelerate the time to tile. The principal advantage over standard Wetite is programme efficiency: faster recoat windows and a reduced wait before tile adhesive can be applied. It is the same class of product — a single-component SBR polymer under-tile and wet area membrane — applied in the same manner. It is a covered system: it must be overlaid with tiles, screed, or an approved protective topping. Do not select Wetite Rapid where the programme does not benefit from faster dry times — standard Wetite provides the same performance at a lower cost where time is not critical.
Technical Properties
- Rapid dry — significantly faster recoat and tile-over times compared to standard Wetite — reduces installation programme
- SBR polymer chemistry — same adhesion characteristics as standard Wetite on primed concrete and masonry substrates
- Water-based — low odour — safe for enclosed wet area and balcony environments
- One-component — no site mixing — same straightforward application as standard Wetite
- Suitable under ceramic and porcelain tile systems after full cure
Limitations
- Same system limitations as standard Wetite — must be covered by tiles, screed, or an approved protection layer
- Not suitable for exposed or UV-exposed use — not a trafficable finished surface
- Faster dry time reduces working window — plan application sequence carefully in hot or dry conditions to avoid surface skinning before the coat is spread
- Confirm rapid dry advantage is actually needed before specifying — standard Wetite at lower cost performs the same where programme is not the driver
- Confirm current product specification with Crommelin — product naming and TDS are the definitive reference
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Gripset 38FC
SBR latex — fibre-reinforced — covered membrane
Water-based fast-curing fibre-reinforced SBR latex membrane — under toppings, tiles, or overlay finishes
System Description
Gripset 38FC is an Australian-manufactured water-based fast-curing fibre-reinforced SBR latex membrane by Gripset Industries. The fibre reinforcement is integrated into the membrane itself — reducing the need for separate reinforcing bandage in some applications, although corner and junction detailing requirements should still be confirmed with Gripset technical. It is used in internal and external wet areas, balconies, decks, terraces, and roof applications where the membrane will be covered with toppings, tile beds, screed, or overlay finishes. Gripset 38FC is a covered membrane system — it is not designed as an exposed trafficable finish. Apply by roller or brush in the required number of coats with Gripset-compatible primer on prepared substrates.
Technical Properties
- Fibre-reinforced SBR latex — integrated reinforcement reduces risk of tearing at thin sections and improves membrane continuity
- Fast-curing — reduced drying time between coats — improved programme efficiency on balcony and deck remediation
- Australian manufactured — Gripset technical support available — applicable in Class 2 strata remediation
- Water-based — suitable for enclosed balcony and wet area environments
- Suitable for a range of covered finish systems including tile beds, screed toppings, and overlay membranes
Limitations
- Covered membrane system — must be protected by tiles, screed, a topping, or an approved overlay — not a finished exposed trafficable surface
- Confirm with Gripset whether separate reinforcing bandage is required at corners and junctions for this product — do not assume fibre-reinforcement eliminates junction detailing
- Not formulated for direct UV or weather exposure as a finished surface
- Primer required on most substrates — confirm Gripset primer selection before application
- Confirm current product name, specification, and applicable standards compliance with Gripset Industries before specifying
Gripset RD
Acrylic weatherproof — exposed / facade / roof — confirm with manufacturer
Flexible acrylic weatherproof membrane — roofs, walls, facades, parapets, gutters — confirm current product TDS
System Description
Gripset RD is understood to be a flexible acrylic waterproof and weatherproof membrane for use on roofs, external walls, facades, parapets, gutters, and weather-exposed surfaces. It is positioned as a protective coating and waterproofing membrane for elements that will be directly exposed to weather rather than covered by tiles or screed. Important: the product name, formulation, and confirmed suitability for specific applications must be verified against the current Gripset RD technical data sheet before specifying. Gripset's product range is Australian-manufactured and subject to ongoing revision. If Gripset RD does not match your project requirements, confirm the current recommended Gripset product for exposed acrylic weatherproofing with Gripset Industries directly.
Technical Properties
- Flexible acrylic formulation — designed for weather-exposed surfaces that require flexibility under thermal movement
- Water-based — environmentally preferable — suitable for application near occupied or sensitive areas
- Suited to roof, parapet, gutter, and facade waterproofing and weatherproofing applications
- Australian manufactured product — Gripset Industries technical support
- Confirm UV resistance, elongation, and DFT requirements against current product TDS before specifying
Limitations
- Product name and exact formulation must be confirmed with the current Gripset RD TDS — do not specify from this reference alone
- If this product does not match the project requirement, contact Gripset Industries to confirm the correct current product for exposed acrylic weatherproofing
- Not confirmed as equivalent to a classified AS 4858 or Class III waterproofing membrane — confirm compliance status with Gripset before use in applications where a classified membrane is required
- Primer and application requirements must be confirmed with Gripset technical — do not apply without reviewing the current manufacturer instructions
- Traffic and load limits apply — confirm suitability for any trafficable application with Gripset before specifying
Brand Equivalents
Side-by-side view of acrylic and SBR membrane equivalents by system type and brand. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS.
| System type | ARDEX | Crommelin | Gripset | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposed trafficable — pedestrian — acrylic | WPM 909 | — | — | Confirm trafficable rating with ARDEX technical |
| Exposed protective coating — facade / roof / wall | WPM 310 | — | RD (confirm with manufacturer) | For external weather-exposed surfaces, not under-tile systems |
| SBR under-tile — standard dry time | — | Wetite | — | Covered systems only — must be protected by tiles or screed |
| SBR under-tile — rapid dry / tile-over | — | Wetite Rapid | — | Faster programme — same system limitations as standard Wetite |
| SBR fibre-reinforced — covered membrane | — | — | 38FC | Confirm junction detailing and primer with Gripset technical |
Common uses — acrylic and water-based membranes
- Internal wet area waterproofing — bathrooms, laundries, ensuites under tiles
- Under-tile balcony and terrace waterproofing where a covered membrane system is required
- Exposed pedestrian deck and balcony surfaces — only where the specific product is rated for trafficable and UV-exposed use
- External wall, facade, and parapet waterproofing and weather protection
- Roof and deck weatherproofing — flat or low-slope roofs requiring a flexible waterproof coating
- Remedial waterproofing overlays — where substrate condition, adhesion testing, and detailing are properly controlled
Technical limitations — do not assume product equivalence
Acrylic and SBR water-based membranes should not be treated as automatically equal to polyurethane or polyurethane-hybrid membranes for exposed remedial balcony work. Product selection in this category depends on:
- UV exposure — SBR systems are not formulated for prolonged direct sun and must be covered
- Trafficability — only specifically rated acrylic systems are suitable as exposed pedestrian finishes
- Movement and thermal cycling — SBR and acrylic have lower elongation than polyurethane — confirm against substrate movement expectations
- Drainage — confirm the membrane detail at drains and penetrations matches the drainage system being used
- Substrate condition — moisture content, surface profile, and adhesion test results
- Whether the membrane is under-tile, under-screed, or exposed — these are not interchangeable
- Primer requirements — mandatory for all products in this group
- Reinforcing fabric requirements — required at all corners, junctions, and penetrations in most systems
- Dry film thickness and number of coats — single-coat application is insufficient for any product in this group
- Curing time before tiling, screed, or foot traffic — confirm with the current manufacturer TDS
- Compatibility with tile adhesive, screed, toppings, or overlay coatings
- AS 3740 and AS 4858 compliance — confirm classification with the manufacturer for the specific product
Do not confuse products in this category with: polyurethane membranes (separate product group), cementitious flexible membranes (ARDEX 8+9, Mapelastic Foundation), sheet membranes, or epoxy moisture barriers.
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Final product selection must be confirmed against the current manufacturer technical data sheet, project specification, substrate condition, exposure level, drainage, required finish, NCC requirements, AS 3740 and AS 4858 requirements where applicable, and applicator warranty conditions. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering or waterproofing consultant advice.