roofing tar

[Square pusher]

I started working with a new GC today, who uses roofing tar when he tapes his seams and corners in tub surrounds.
Just wondering if anyone had any experience with this.

I'm sure it's water proof but....

My concerns are:

Is it to code.

Will if adversely effect the bond between the tile and the wall.

[Deckert]

Never seen that done myself, and I live in an area where the common shower pan is hot tar (hot-mop).

Its not the recomended way to tape seams according to the backer manufacturers. I wouldn't want to tile over it myself. Whether or not the inspectors go for it is anyones guess. I'd check with them. What are the walls made of?

[ceramictec]

I'm sure there are oils in the roofing tar that will affect the bond of the thinset.

[tilelayer]

that stuff takes decades to dry.

[Davestone]

The funny thing is he probably does it to keep them from leaking.

[HS345]

I wouldn't tape any cbu with roofing tar.

In Michael Byrne's book, Setting Tile, he recommends using roofing tar on the seams of roofing felt behind the substrate. I've never tried it. If I get within 25 feet of a container of roofing tar, I get it all over myself.

[custombuilt]

I'm sure he does it because he thinks this will waterproof his shower.....oh well...

As for code, here building codes only dictate structure, so it wouldn't matter....

I personally would never tile over something like that...

[dhagin]

use black tile, black grout and wear disposable shoes when showering... lol

yea, lots of issues there, i think

[gueuzeman]

Well, it probably works, BUT.... as said oils and cement are a bad combination. Why not just use a tube of silicone? Cleaner and easier to apply.

gueuze

[tilelayer]

After he tars the corners, does he install shingles on the shower walls?

I have Micheal Brynes video on Floating walls and floors, he spreads tar and then applys the 15 lb felt to the tar, because he claims that when you staple tar paper for your mud floor or walls your defeating the purpose of your vapor barrier, seems like overkill to me. I have torn out alot of mud walls that were floated with black wire and no tarpaper and they weren't leaking they were just totally out of style, i find it hard for water to penetrate 1"+ of floated mud. Besides hes wearing this huge gas mask while he spreading the tar, he looks like an alien or hes going to war.

[Square pusher]

The surround is covered with dense shield. I used MApei HPG. before he could say anything and that is the end of the story.

Well actually not the end. I turned up today and started prep and laying out.
When some guys turned up with a concrete grinder. To grind pretty much 80% of the slab.
He says " Don't worry we'll just shut the door"

The water saw was outside

And this is in a basement suite.

He was wondering why I wanted to leave.
Apart from the fact that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.
I explained the reasons why I was leaving and told him I would bill him for 3 hrs and left.


I figured all you guys would agree with me on the roofing tar and now I have some ammunition to show him. Minus this last post of course.


I'm making a print out of this thread to set him straight.

Thanks guys.

[thuffner3]

Peter,
WE used a product from the Sonnborne company called HLM5000.
It is a petrolium based product for use over under and around concrete,
Sounds like your contract may have been guide toward this product years ago and has since switched due to availability. Maybe?
Although Many ceramic materials companies wont warrant their respective products. When I use this product I will certainly warrant my work for as long as the customer would like to see. My contention is this.
I've torn out installation that were every bit as old as 75 to 100 years old.
If I can't warrant my work for at least that long regardless of what I use,
I shouldn't be in the business.

CYA
Neil

[ob1kanobee]

Maybe he has a fetish for the smell of tar and crusty dusty boogers.

[tilelayer]

I don't agree with the tar, and i am talking about another method of tile prep floating walls, I agree with you and the tar should not be in the shower. sounds hacky to me.