For securing critical transitions at drains, penetrations, junctions, and joints prior to applying waterproofing membranes, STB/STA Waterproofing Tape provides a high-adhesion, self-adhesive butyl barrier. The tape is highly malleable to conform to complex physical detailing, ensuring a watertight seal on substrates such as concrete, screed, render, PVC, AAC blocks, and fibre-cement sheet.
The tape features a dual-layer design to bridge structural joints and transition zones. The self-adhesive butyl rubber underside bonds directly to the prepared substrate without separate adhesives, while the top polypropylene fleece surface provides an optimal mechanical key for subsequent liquid applied membranes and coatings. It acts as a dedicated bond-breaker, detailing strip, or liquid transition zone, and is compatible with ARDEX WPM 002, ARDEX WPM 909, ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus, and ARDEX Weldtec membranes.
STB/STA Waterproofing Tape is suitable for both internal and external detailing work on the following substrates:
Before applying the tape, prepare all surfaces by mechanical methods and vacuum cleaning to remove all dirt, dust, curing compounds, oils, grease, and surface sealers. Ensure the surface is sound, clean, dry, and free from sharp edges.
The tape is supplied in two formats to suit different detailing jobs:
No, ARDEX STB/STA Tape is not a standalone waterproofing product. It functions as a critical detailing component within approved ARDEX liquid or Weldtec membrane systems to create a watertight seal at junctions and penetrations.
Porous substrates like concrete, screed, and render require an appropriate ARDEX primer. AAC blocks need several coats of ARDEX WPM 265 or ARDEX Multiprime to ensure proper adhesion before tape installation.
The tape features a butyl rubber adhesive with 22 N/cm peel adhesion and 7.2 N probe tack for superior bond to substrates. Its fleeced surface then provides optimal mechanical keying for subsequent ARDEX liquid or Weldtec membranes.
No, ARDEX STB/STA Tape must not be left UV exposed. It is designed to be covered by an ARDEX liquid or Weldtec membrane system to protect its integrity and ensure long-term performance.
| Application | Key benefit | Primary trades |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing drains and penetrations | Creates a reliable, watertight seal around complex shapes, preventing leaks in critical areas. | Waterproofers, Tilers |
| Sealing junctions and joints in wet areas | Provides flexible, self-adhesive detailing that accommodates minor movement and supports membrane integrity. | Waterproofers, Builders |
| Bond-breaker for liquid applied membranes | Isolates movement at joints, preventing cracking in ARDEX liquid membranes and ensuring system durability. | Waterproofers |
| Termination for ARDEX Weldtec™ membranes | Ensures secure, integrated transition points for Weldtec systems, maintaining a continuous waterproof layer. | Waterproofers |
Ensure the substrate is clean, sound, and dry. Prime all porous surfaces (concrete, screed, render, CFC) with ARDEX Multiprime. Allow the primer to become touch-dry, which is typically 15-30 minutes.
Peel back the release paper and press the STB Tape firmly into all wall/floor junctions, corners, and around penetrations. Use an Ardex roller to ensure full adhesion and remove air pockets. Overlap all joins by a minimum of 50mm.
Apply two coats of ARDEX WPM 155 Rapid Plus over the entire area, including the STB tape, to achieve a total Dry Film Thickness (DFT) of at least 0.5mm. The second coat can typically be applied 1-2 hours after the first.
Allow the membrane to dry. Tiling can commence after 3-4 hours in good conditions. Fix tiles using a flexible (S1), high-coverage adhesive like ARDEX X 68. Grouting can typically proceed 24 hours after fixing the tiles.
Wear appropriate protective gloves and clothing to avoid skin contact. Eye protection is recommended to prevent eye contact.
Store in original, unopened packaging in a cool, dry place at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. Shelf life is 18 months. Dispose of contents according to local council regulations.
Proper substrate preparation and priming are essential for ARDEX STB/STA Tape to form a reliable, watertight seal and bond effectively with subsequent membranes.
Surface prep: Remove all dirt, dust, oils, and contaminants by mechanical methods and vacuum cleaning. The surface must be sound, clean, dry, and free from sharp edges or loose materials.
Primer: Required. Apply an appropriate ARDEX primer as specified for porous substrates before tape installation.
Surface prep: Ensure blocks are clean, dry, and sound. Remove all contaminants.
Primer: Required. Apply several coats of ARDEX WPM 265 or ARDEX Multiprime to seal the block and create a suitable surface for the tape.
Surface prep: Ensure PVC surfaces are clean, dry, and free from release agents, oils, or dust. Roughening may be required for optimal adhesion.
Primer: Not required for clean PVC, but a compatibility test is recommended if unsure of surface contamination.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Butyl rubber adhesive (grey) |
| Film Type | Polypropylene fleece (white) |
| Thickness | 1 mm |
| Tensile Strength (Longitudinal) | 115 N/50mm |
| Tensile Strength (Transverse) | 100 N/50mm |
| Peel Adhesion | 22 N/cm |
| Probe Tack | 7.2 N |
| Application Temperature | 0ºC - 40ºC |
| Service Temperature | -40ºC - 100ºC |
| Shelf Life | 18 months |
Here are some common examples on where Ardex STB/STA Waterproofing Tape used by our customers.
