What Hydroinsulation Products Are Available

The CorkSystem hydroinsulations range includes two core product types, each designed for a specific set of applications and performance requirements.

The Liquid Roof Membrane is available in a 4kg white formulation covering approximately 10 m² per application. It is a heavy-duty waterproofing coating designed specifically for exterior roofing surfaces - flat roofs, pitched roofs, flashings, and roof elements made from a wide variety of materials including roofing felt, rubber, bituminous coatings, concrete, plaster, trapezoidal sheet metal, asbestos cement, metal roof tiles, cement and ceramic tiles, wood, galvanised sheet metal, and more. Drying time is 2-3 hours under normal conditions, which means a roof treatment can realistically be completed and fully sealed within a single working day. Beyond its protective function, the white finish also provides a clean decorative result - particularly useful on visible roof sections, garden buildings, gazebos, sheds, and garden planters where appearance matters alongside performance.

The Pro-Foil Liquid Membrane is a more versatile, dual-purpose waterproofing product - a 4kg formulation covering approximately 3.3 m² - designed equally for indoor and outdoor use. It forms a durable, waterproof, and flexible coating on contact with the surface, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, terraces, and any transition point between indoor and outdoor environments. Pro-Foil's flexibility after curing is a key advantage in areas subject to thermal movement and vibration - it maintains its waterproof integrity even as the substrate expands, contracts, or settles slightly over time, without cracking or lifting at the edges.

Where to Use Liquid Waterproofing Membranes

The range of surfaces and situations where liquid hydroinsulation products deliver real value is broader than many people expect. The most common applications include:

• Flat roofs and low-pitch roofs prone to pooling water

• Pitched roof sections, ridge details, and flashing joints

• Garden structures including sheds, garages, summer houses, and pergolas

• Balconies, terraces, and external walkways

• Bathroom and wet room walls and floor junctions

• Kitchen walls and splashback areas

• Building foundations and basement walls subject to ground moisture

• Retaining walls and garden planters

• Concrete, metal, timber, and felt surfaces showing early signs of weathering or cracking

Liquid membranes are particularly effective in situations where conventional sheet waterproofing or torch-applied felt would be difficult to apply - complex geometries, tight corners, pipe penetrations, and areas where joints and seams are a recurring source of failure. A liquid membrane is brushed or rolled directly onto the surface and cures to form a single, seamless, joint-free coating with no overlaps, no weak points, and no gaps around obstructions.

Why Choose Liquid Waterproofing Over Traditional Methods

Traditional waterproofing methods - felt, sheet membranes, rubberised coatings - all share a common vulnerability: joints. Every overlap, seam, and edge is a potential point of failure, and in practice, most water ingress on older roofs and structures originates at exactly those points. A liquid membrane eliminates that problem entirely. Applied as a fluid, it fills every contour, seals around every protrusion, and cures to a single continuous surface with no mechanical joints anywhere in the coating.

The practical advantages for DIY users and professional applicators alike are significant. There is no need to remove existing roofing materials in most cases - liquid membranes bond strongly to felt, rubber, metal, concrete, and most other substrates, meaning a failing roof can often be treated in place without a full strip and relay. Application requires nothing more than a brush or roller, the surface preparation steps are minimal, and the drying time is short enough that a treated surface is protected the same day.

For indoor applications like bathrooms and kitchens, liquid membrane products provide a seamless waterproof layer behind tiles, panels, or other surface finishes - protecting the wall and floor structure from moisture that inevitably finds its way through grouting, joints, and surface imperfections over time.

How to Apply Liquid Hydroinsulation Products

Application is straightforward for both products in this range. The key steps are surface preparation, application, and curing - following a consistent process ensures maximum adhesion and a fully sealed result.

Begin by ensuring the substrate is clean, dry, and structurally sound. Remove loose material, flaking paint, moss, algae, or contamination. On roofs, clear any standing water and address any sections where the substrate has lifted, cracked, or separated before applying the membrane. On walls, fill any significant cracks or holes with an appropriate filler and allow to fully dry.

Apply the liquid membrane generously using a wide brush or roller, working the product into any surface texture or irregularity to ensure full contact. For areas subject to significant movement - expansion joints, pipe penetrations, valley gutters, and roof edges - a second coat applied in the opposite direction once the first coat is touch-dry provides additional reinforcement. Allow the full drying and curing period specified on the product before exposing the treated surface to water or foot traffic.

For large roof areas or surfaces with significant existing damage, a two-coat system is always recommended. The total material required can be calculated based on the coverage rates for each product - 4kg covers approximately 10 m² for the Liquid Roof Membrane and approximately 3.3 m² for Pro-Foil - so order quantities are easy to determine before you start.

FAQ - Hydroinsulations

Q: What surfaces are the liquid waterproofing products compatible with?
A: The Liquid Roof Membrane is compatible with roofing felt, rubber, bituminous coatings, concrete, plaster, trapezoidal sheet metal, asbestos cement, metal roof tiles, cement and ceramic tiles, wood, and galvanised sheet metal. Pro-Foil is designed for use on both interior and exterior surfaces including bathroom and kitchen walls, balconies, terraces, and foundations. Both products have strong multi-surface adhesion, making them suitable for most common substrate types encountered in UK residential and commercial properties.

Q: How much surface does each product cover?
A: The Liquid Roof Membrane covers approximately 10 m² per 4kg unit. Pro-Foil covers approximately 3.3 m² per 4kg unit. For surfaces with significant texture, porosity, or existing damage, coverage may be slightly lower - particularly on the first coat. We recommend calculating quantities based on the lower end of the coverage range and adding 10-15% for contingency, especially on complex roof geometries.

Q: Can these products be applied over existing roofing materials without stripping them back first?
A: In most cases, yes. Both products are designed to bond directly to existing substrates, making them well suited to renovation and repair applications where stripping back the existing material would be disruptive or costly. The surface must be clean, dry, structurally sound, and free from loose or flaking material before application - but there is generally no requirement to remove intact existing roofing felt, rubber, or coatings.

Q: How long does the liquid membrane take to dry?
A: The Liquid Roof Membrane has a drying time of 2-3 hours under normal conditions. Pro-Foil drying times vary depending on temperature and humidity - cooler or damper conditions will extend the drying period. Full cure and maximum waterproofing performance is achieved after complete drying. Avoid application in freezing temperatures or during rain.

Q: Are these products suitable for use in bathrooms and wet rooms?
A: Yes. Pro-Foil is specifically designed for indoor wet area applications including bathrooms, wet rooms, and kitchens. It forms a flexible, fully waterproof coating that can be tiled or panelled over, protecting the wall and floor structure behind the finish surface. The Liquid Roof Membrane is primarily designed for exterior use.

Q: Can the liquid membrane be applied to a surface that will be tiled over?
A: Yes. Pro-Foil is compatible with tiling over the cured membrane, making it an effective tanking solution for bathroom and kitchen walls and floors before tile installation. Ensure the membrane is fully cured before applying tile adhesive. Check compatibility with your chosen tile adhesive if in doubt.

Q: Is any specialist equipment needed for application?
A: No. Both products are applied using a standard brush or roller - no spray equipment, torches, or specialist tools required. This makes them practical for DIY application as well as professional use. For large roof areas, a long-handled roller significantly speeds up application and reduces physical effort.

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