Original builder waterproofing has an expiration date
Many Cary homes from the 1990s and 2000s shipped with basic fiberglass pans or a minimal waterproofing membrane behind the tile. Twenty-plus years in, that layer is often the reason for the leak, not the tile sitting on top of it.
Build a complete scope
- Which waterproofing system is specified, by name and not by category
- How corners, curbs and penetrations are detailed, since that is where it fails
- Whether the substrate is flat and sound enough to receive tile
- A flood test before tile goes down, and who witnesses it
- Grout and sealant maintenance expectations, and the warranty offered
Cary context
Cary is dominated by planned neighborhoods, late-twentieth-century homes, premium renovations, and continuing infill on Piedmont clay. Humid Piedmont summers and heavy landscaping around many lots keep ventilation and drying time worth planning for alongside the tile itself.