Frequently Asked Questions
On this page we have collected the most frequently asked questions from DIYs using Liquid Rubber.
- We are here to help you and with over 30+ years in the Construction and Waterproofing industry – we have a wealth of information, knowledge and experience to share.
- As Registered Builders & Certified Waterproofers who use Liquid Rubber ourselves for professional waterproofing projects - we know ALOT about this product & waterproofing in general.
- Further information phone us on PH: (03) 8699 8533
First of all
Use Common Sense!
The ONLY way to really go wrong with using Liquid Rubber Waterproofing products is when the steps are not carried out properly, short cuts are taken and/or lack of care when preparing and applying.
- Many of our DIYers use Liquid Rubber for waterproofing projects such as: caravans & camper roofs & undercarriages, boat decks & hulls, aquariums, fish ponds, planter boxes, balcony refurbishment, leaking roof/gutters, retaining walls etc.
- Waterproofing with Liquid Rubber can be easily undertaken by the home handy person or tradie with minimal previous knowledge of how to waterproof.
- Just as a very quick note - whenever we have come across Liquid Rubber not bonding to a surface - it is invariably due to a "dirty" surface that was not cleaned properly.
- If you know you have a previous old membrane on the surface that you want to make waterproof or you know previous products have been used or a surface has mold, dirt, lichen etc. - PLEASE CLEAN THOROUGHLY.
- Do It ONCE & Do It Right.
- NB: Large projects & complex surfaces should be applied by Australian Certified Liquid Rubber Applicators.
For Commercial waterproofing projects
Call Findlay-Evans (Melbourne Certified Waterproofers) - PH (03) 8812 2918 if you need a quote.
FAQ
General Questions
What is Liquid Rubber?
Liquid Rubber is an environmentally friendly waterproofing membrane and anti corrosion product designed for a wide range of applications.
What applications are suitable for Liquid Rubber?
Liquid Rubber is an excellent choice for roof maintenance, roof restoration, waterproofing foundations, retaining walls, gutter repair, shower liners, decks, patios, fences, planter boxes, ponds, waterfalls, waste containment, barn roofs, silos, docks, piers, boat hulls, dams, commercial steel and built up roofs.
Because of the unique characteristics of Liquid Rubber, here are just some ideas:
- Mobile home/caravan
- Roof repair, leaking gutters, box gutters
- Shower and balcony waterproofing
- Rust prevention and many more applicationsContainer Gardening
- Ponds, water featuresRetaining walls, foundationsFarm tanks, water throughs
Is Liquid Rubber environmentally friendly?
Is Liquid Rubber hazardous?
No, Liquid Rubber being water based and containing no VOC'S it is not flammable nor is it corrosive.
Liquid Rubber contains no harmful chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOC'S).
Can animal troughs be lined with Liquid Rubber?
Yes, Liquid rubber is environmentally friendly and will not harm humans, animals or plant life.
What colours does Liquid Rubber come in?
Liquid Rubber comes in black.
However there is our WHITE THERMO TOP COAT that is manufactured to complement LR i.e has many of the same unique properties and bonds beautifully to a Liquid Rubber base coat.
This is a great 2 step system for roofs - apply one coat of black LR, allow to dry (about a day) and then apply 2 coats of the Thermo Top Coat which can be easily tinted any color.
How long will Liquid Rubber last?
Liquid Rubber will last for years without cracking, peeling or losing any of its strength or sealing properties.
Liquid Rubber has been used in North America & Europe for over 40 years.
There are many roofs, structures etc. that have had Liquid Rubber for over 30 years.
Do I have to use it all at one time?
No, it can be resealed in its air tight container.
Shelf life of product?
Unused Liquid Rubber will last over 6 months if BUCKET REMAINS TIGHTLY SEALED WHEN NOT IN USE.
Tip- place a piece of cling wrap or plastic over the unused liquid membrane inside the bucket then seal it up - this will prolong the remaining material longer.
How do I store Liquid Rubber?
- Liquid Rubber is a non-flammable liquid and does not present any storage or transportation hazards.
-Store all Liquid Rubber in a cool dry space over 5°C - DO NOT ALLOW PRODUCT TO FREEZE
Will Liquid Rubber dry out, crack or peel?
NO, LR has excellent longevity and will not dry out, crack or peel - remains flexible and pliable with age.
Will the sun affect Liquid Rubber?
No, the chemistry of LR is such that its UV resistance is excellent.
Will salt water affect Liquid Rubber?
NO, LR has excellent longevity and will not dry out, crack or peel - remains flexible and pliable with age.
What chemicals will affect Liquid Rubber?
Liquid rubber resists most chemicals.
LR is a bitumen-based product and is susceptible to hydrocarbons like gas and oils. Please refer to the chemical resistant chart in approvals and certifications.
Can I use Liquid Rubber on metal?
Used to protect ferrous metal structures subjected to water or chemically aggressive environments.
Applications include storage and process tanks, piping and structural features in; mining and ore facilities, fertilizer plants, water treatment plants, desalination plants, chemical processing facilities, pulp mills, power plants…
What will it adhere to?
Liquid Rubber will adhere to most surfaces such as: wood, metal, tile, concrete, masonry, fabric, glass, plastic, aluminium, porcelain, dry wall, rubber, cement, vinyl and just about any other surface.
Can it go over rusted metal?
Yes, lightly rusted metal. Saves on costs associated with sand blasting.
Will Liquid Rubber bond to ICF's (Insulated Concrete Forms)?
Yes, it’s a much quicker and efficient way of providing a seamless waterproof membrane than other methods such as peel and stick. There are no solvents in Liquid Rubber that will eat away the foam.
What does Liquid Rubber not stick to or cannot be used on?
Coal Tar, Silicone, Solvent based materials.
If applying on timber, do I need to replace any timber work?
No. Unless it's rotten or water damaged.
Can I use Liquid Rubber on freshly poured concrete (green)?
No, chemical reactions in the concrete must not be interrupted for approximately 3 weeks - concrete needs to "cure."
Placing any waterproof membrane on "green" concrete will effect the concrete’s strength and integrity.
How can I return Liquid Rubber?
Contact DIY Waterproofing during business hours or send an email to info@waterproofingfew.com.au with video/photos of the item clearly identifying the problem.
Customer pays the return shipping and include a copy of the receipt/invoice with the goods.
Refunds issued only when we can't make good the item. Or we cannot replace it. We do not offer credit for change of mind.
Liquid Rubber Preparation
How should I prepare the area before applying Liquid Rubber?
Ensure the surface is dry, free of dirt, debris, oil, grease, coal, tar, efflorescence, flaking paint, silicone, solvent materials or other contaminants.
As with all waterproofing membranes, the surface must be dry and free of anything that could adversely affect adhesion - if you apply the product correctly it WILL do the job.
Wire brush or if needed high-pressure water blast should be used to thoroughly clean all surfaces prior to application if any of the above conditions exist.
Surface should be free of all mould, mildew or any other living organism and COMPLETELY DRY.
Mildew and similar growths can be killed with 1 part household bleach to 2 parts water, followed by a thorough rinse with clean water.
All surfaces must then be allowed to THOROUGHLY DRY before proceeding with application.
Smooth surfaces such as glass, st-steel, plastics, etc. should be abraded or etched beforehand. In some cases a primer may be needed.
If joints, corners, upturns and downturns or gaps need pre filling, the sealant ( usually polyurethane or acrylic fillers) must be completely cured first or the gases from the sealant curing may cause harm to membrane
Is it necessary to wear protective equipment while using Liquid Rubber?
No, Liquid Rubber being water based and containing no VOC'S it is not flammable nor is it corrosive.
Liquid Rubber contains no harmful chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOC'S).
What do I do with joins and seams?
See the Three Stage method of Liquid Rubber prep areas.
What is the Three Stage Method?
1. Liquid Rubber & Geo-Textile Bandage: Coat the surface with approx. 1 mm Liquid Rubber. Then coat one side of the geo-textile bandage & embed the coated side into the Liquid Rubber. Smooth the surface allowing no ripples or gaps.
2. Coat the exposed geo-textile with another 1 mm of Liquid Rubber.
3.Allow curing approx. 24 hours before adding another coat (can be thicker coat).
Watch - How to Apply Geotextile bandage
Liquid Rubber Coverage
How much coverage will I get from a bucket of Liquid Rubber ?
Product coverage will vary greatly depending on the surface i.e. old concrete is very porous and will soak up a lot of the first coat of Liquid Rubber than other surfaces.
Liquid Rubber will go further on surfaces like metal & fiberglass.
As a guide- approx 8.3m2 of coverage from a 15lt bucket in two coats.
As a guide- approx 5.5m2 of coverage from a 10lt bucket in two coats.
As a guide- approx 2-3m2 of coverage from a 4lt bucket in two coats.
We advise extra thicknesses i.e. three coats - for project that will be permanently holding water - ponds, aquariums, water features & tanks, etc.
How thick should I build up my final membrane?
The final cured waterproof membrane of Liquid Rubber Brush/Roll On should be 1.5 to 2 mm (60-80 dry mls.)
For tanks, ponds & areas of permanent “ponding” water - Generally 3 coats will be required to build the final membrane up to 2 mm.
Can I build my final membrane all at once?
Too much Liquid Rubber Brush/Roll On material will extend the curing time and create a skin on top, possibly preventing the uncured portion from curing resulting in a membrane that is not waterproof.
It is better to use more thin coats than one thick application.
Liquid Rubber Application
What do I use to apply Liquid Rubber?
Liquid Rubber application does not require special equipment for small domestic type jobs.
Brushes, roller, trowel and squeegees are all effective ways to apply LR.
Rubber gloves are a good idea to reduce clean up as well.
Should I stir Liquid Rubber?
Mix well before use.
Stirring can be done with clean stick, paint stirrer, or a slow speed drill with a helical mixer.
What should I use to clean up?
While the product is wet it can be safely washed off in cold water ( does not harm the environment).
Mineral Turpentine or as more often used water based engine degreaser which washes off under water.
Coconut and baby oil will remove the dry product ( if you get any on your face, etc - it's kinder than the aforementioned).
What temperature can I apply Liquid Rubber?
Liquid Rubber is water based and therefore must be applied above +5 Celsius degrees.
Do not allow material to freeze.
Can Liquid Rubber be applied on a vertical surface?
Yes Liquid Rubber can be applied on vertical walls and overhead.
Can I build my final membrane all at once?
Too much Liquid Rubber will extend the curing time and create a skin on top, possibly preventing the uncured portion from curing resulting in a membrane that is not waterproof.
How thick should I build up my final membrane?
The final cured waterproof membrane of LR should be approx 2mm.
For water features, ponds & tanks Generally 3 coats will be required to build the final membrane to 2 mm.
Avoid building up too much product at one time as this can cause cracking.
What can cause blisters?
Small blisters occur from time to time because of trapped water under the membrane which should cure out over time. If large blisters occur, there may be a bigger moisture issue coming from the substrate.
Can I spray Liquid Rubber?
Liquid Rubber can only be sprayed by using a high quality dedicated spray equipment - this is not a spray gun used for general spray painting.
NB: Large projects and complex surfaces should be applied by F.E.W WATERPROOFING – we are Australian Certified Liquid Rubber Applicators. PHONE 03 881 2 2918
Liquid Rubber Curing Time
How long does it take to dry?
Dry time depends on the temperature, humidity and thickness of the coating.
However, Liquid Rubber will usually “touch dry” within 2 to 3 hours and in 24 hours fully cure and also gets stronger over time.
How long does it take for Liquid Rubber to fully cure?
- You will notice the product is touch dry within 2-3 hours, however the Liquid Rubber is still going through a very important process called “curing” which may take one to several days to complete.
- Curing is the process where the rubber becomes a single flexible membrane.
-Once cured Liquid Rubber can contain water on a continuous basis. This process can take between 5-7 days in warm weather or longer if moisture is held within.
- If the substrate becomes damp from behind the membrane (i.e underground concrete, ponds surrounded by damp soil) this will greatly extend the curing process. DO NOT fill a pond, water feature, tank etc. until the curing process is completed.
- If “active” water is trying to push through ( hydrostatic pressure) a wet membrane – it will not cure.
- Blistering can occur if (water) vapour is trapped in substrate (more so when sun or heat is applied and creates water vapour- trying to "get out"). Allow blisters to dissipate over time- repair if holes occur or cut out blisters - allow to dry out and re-apply Liquid Rubber over the patched area.
- After the membrane has thoroughly cured, inspect for cracks & out gassing holes (blisters) or any surface irregularities that may need to be repaired. To effect any repair- Geo-textile Bandage is used.
Can I buy this in a retail store?
NO – Liquid Rubber is not available in retail stores.
Buy Online Here
Shop all Liquid Rubber products and more
See DIY projects
View all-
How To Repair A Leaking Caravan Roof In Austral...
When it comes to embracing the great Australian landscape, a caravan is more than just a vehicle; it's a home on wheels. But a leaking roof can quickly turn your...
How To Repair A Leaking Caravan Roof In Austral...
When it comes to embracing the great Australian landscape, a caravan is more than just a vehicle; it's a home on wheels. But a leaking roof can quickly turn your...
