Everything You Need to Know About Uncoupling Membranes

Hello everybody and welcome to our webinar today called "Everything You Need to Know About Uncoupling Membranes." Any questions you have today, please submit them in the area on your screen, and we can answer those questions for you as we go. My name is Scott, and I'm from WarmlyYours, where I serve as the Manager of Technical Support. Thank you for joining us today as we discuss uncoupling membranes and how they work with floor heating.

The uncoupling membrane acts as a support system when installing tile floors on any type of subfloor. It protects your tile floor from cracks by uncoupling the tile from the subfloor itself. One of the great features of this product is its vapor management properties, which allow it to act as a waterproof barrier. Additionally, it adds very little height to the floor, measuring about 5.5 millimeters, or just under a quarter of an inch. However, it is important to remember that this does not eliminate the need for movement joints, including perimeter joints.

Now, let's discuss how this pairs with floor heating. WarmlyYours offers the Perdesso uncoupling membrane for our TempZone cable systems. As you can see here, I have a sample of it. It's very lightweight, thin, and blue. The grooves in the membrane allow the electric floor heating cables to travel in and out, and they are held in place by the studs, which help you lay them out and keep them secure while you apply thinset over the top.

The benefits of using this uncoupling membrane with the heated wire are significant. It reduces the added floor height compared to traditional in-floor heating installations under tile. The Perdesso membrane also protects the electric floor heating cable from moisture-sensitive surfaces, eliminating the need for self-leveling cement, which can be an additional expense. This product allows for quick installation, making it ideal for projects that need to be completed in a single day.

Uncoupling refers to the ability of the flooring and the subfloor to move independently of each other, resulting in fewer cracks and less breakage in your floor. The Perdesso membrane compensates for this movement, allowing installation over problematic subfloors. Movement in the subfloor does not transfer to the tile, meaning the floor can shift side to side while the tile remains in place on top. The back of the product features a non-woven mesh that aids in bonding to thinset and allows for lateral uncoupling, which helps prevent cracks and broken grout lines.

Another advantage of the Perdesso membrane is that it can eliminate the need for a second layer of plywood, except in the case of natural stone installations, which still require that additional layer. Consider the weight difference between this membrane and plywood; for larger bathrooms, the weight savings can be substantial, especially if you're working on an upper floor.

Now, let's talk about crack isolation. Cracks in the subfloor can occur at any time as buildings settle, particularly in newer constructions. Uncoupling membranes like Perdesso can prevent these cracks from traveling up into the flooring. The membrane isolates the tile floor, allowing it to float over the subfloor. If a crack develops, it will stop at this layer, keeping the tiles in good condition.

However, it's important to note that while the Perdesso membrane protects against lateral motion, it cannot prevent vertical movement, such as that which occurs with a concrete slab that shifts. No product currently on the market can protect your tile floor from such significant shifts, which can lead to delamination.

Load distribution is another critical aspect of the Perdesso membrane. The small cones within the membrane are surrounded by thinset when applied, creating a solid surface that prevents pressure from impacting the wire beneath. This design helps distribute weight evenly across the tile, reducing the risk of cracks.

Vapor management is particularly important when dealing with a new slab. The Perdesso membrane allows you to install tile over a slab that has not yet cured, making it one of the few products that can do so. Moisture can pass through the mesh and into the voids, allowing the concrete to hydrate properly. This process is essential for achieving a well-cured slab.

Additionally, the Perdesso membrane is made of polypropylene, which is naturally waterproof. Water will not migrate through to the underside but will remain on the surface. However, when joining two sections of the membrane, the seams must be waterproofed using Pro-Ban waterproofing products.

When you receive the Perdesso product from us, it will come with an installation plan for both the wire and the membrane. For example, in a recent job I installed, we used two rolls of Perdesso, cutting them to fit the specified sizes. It's crucial to ensure that the studs of the membrane align correctly to allow the cable to travel through without obstruction.

You must also use the correct adhesive thinset type for your subfloor, as this will dictate the installation process. Remember, the minimum tile size for use with this product is two inches by two inches; smaller tiles will require a different system.

In the installation drawings, you'll notice bold areas indicating where Pro-Ban inside and outside corners should be used. These corners are pre-formed, making installation much faster and easier than attempting to create your own. After installing the Perdesso, you will lay out the heating cables according to the provided plan, ensuring that the cables do not overlap, as this can lead to overheating.

Once the cables are laid out, you will apply thinset over the seams and press the Pro-Ban tape into the thinset to waterproof the seams. This method is effective for waterproofing bathrooms, kitchens, and mudrooms, preventing water from leaking into spaces below.

When installing over a cement subfloor, consider the type of tile you will use, as ceramic, marble, and granite expand and contract differently than cement. The thermal expansion ratios vary significantly, with ceramic expanding six times more than cement, marble seven times, and granite nine times. This discrepancy necessitates the use of an uncoupling membrane to accommodate these movements.

For a wood subfloor, latex modified thinset should be used over plywood or OSB. Similarly, when dealing with gypsum-based underlayment, follow the manufacturer's directions for proper preparation and primer application before installing the Perdesso membrane.

If you are considering tiling over existing vinyl flooring, ensure that the vinyl is secured and flat. It must be a single layer, as multiple layers or padded vinyl will not provide a suitable underlayment. If the vinyl is bonded properly, you can use fast-setting latex modified thinset over it before applying the Perdesso and the heating cables.

In terms of installing the floor heating into the Perdesso, the sensor wire should be placed between two heating cables, and the cable is marked with a white dot at the midpoint to help you follow your installation plan. This feature allows you to verify that your spacing is correct as you work.

The Perdesso membrane allows for consistent spacing of the electric floor heating cables, and it is essential to avoid crossing the cables to prevent overheating. After laying out the cables, you can begin tiling immediately, but it is advisable to work on one or two tiles at a time to avoid thinset drying out.

In some cases, you may not need to use the Perdesso membrane. If your floor is well-supported with minimal deflection, an anti-fracture or uncoupling membrane may not be necessary, allowing you to save on costs by using fixing strips instead. Additionally, the Perdesso cannot be used with tiles smaller than two inches.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. We value your feedback and want to ensure that we are providing you with the information you need. You can contact us at 800-875-5285 or email us at info@warmlyyours.com. We are also available online at www.warmlyyours.com and on Facebook.

Thank you for joining me today, and I hope you found the information helpful. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please let us know. Until next time, stay warm!