Water-based waterproofing membranes:

ADVANTAGES

• Easier to use and apply than solvent based membranes.
• Non-toxic. No need for special breathing apparatus.
• No solvent fumes or odour. No breathing hazard and need for ventilation.
• Easy clean up with water during application. No need for harmful chemicals.
• Many water-based membranes can be applied to damp surfaces. This is a major advantage in situations where rain has fallen, or wet soil has been removed to expose a foundation that needs to be treated. In such circumstances the water-based membranes will take longer to dry, but the water in the surface will merge with the water in the coating and evaporate with it.
• UV stable water based membranes are better in exposed UV conditions.
• It is easier to incorporate various types of reinforcing fabrics into water based membranes.
• Tiles can be directly fixed to the membrane with a suitable adhesive.
• Environmentally friendly.

DISADVANTAGES

• May be washed off the surface by rainfall before it is fully cured.

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Solvent-based waterproofing membranes:

ADVANTAGES

• They produce almost immediate waterproofing protection after application, even before they have dried. Hence rain after application is not a big problem (however, rain before application is a much worse problem because they cannot be applied onto damp surfaces).

DISADVANTAGES

• Harmful to health. Appropriate breathing apparatus necessary.
• Give off solvent fumes. Requires good ventilation.
• Special solvents are required to remove splashes and clean equipment after use.
• Cannot be applied on damp surfaces.
• Risky to fix tiles directly to any solvent based membrane system. Some waterproofers sprinkle sand into solvent based membrane to help adhesion but tile adhesive manufacturers recommend against doing this.