Professional Team vs. DIY: How to Choose the Right Waterproofing Method
.jpg "The Quality of Waterproofing")
Even the best tool cannot reach its full potential without skilled hands. The same applies to building waterproofing:
- High-quality materials alone aren’t enough—improper installation can compromise the result. It’s recommended to hire a professional team, ideally one recommended by the material supplier, to ensure durability and performance.
- Applying different colors for each waterproof layer helps clearly verify layer completion and uniformity during the process.
- For DIY projects, choose user-friendly waterproofing materials. However, simpler application often means trade-offs in long-term durability—so it’s important to strike a balance between ease of use and performance based on your needs.
Why People Opt for DIY
Many people choose to do waterproofing themselves due to:
- Small surface area, making it hard to find professionals willing to take the job
- High contractor quotes, motivating cost-conscious homeowners to DIY
Still, lack of expertise brings quality risks. That’s why it’s even more essential to choose
user-friendly, high-performance materials to increase fault tolerance and reduce the impact of mistakes.
Choosing Durable and Easy-to-Use Materials Boosts Value
Today,
labor costs outweigh material costs. Choosing materials with better mechanical properties adds long-term value, reduces repair needs, and ensures lasting performance. TPUCO offers easy-to-apply, high-performance waterproofing materials, such as:
- CPU-49-WP-19J (Hardness ~40A; Elongation ~600%)
- CPU-49-MF12F (Hardness ~50A; Elongation ~400%)
These are single-component polyurethane materials with high solid content, partially meeting or exceeding CNS 8644 standards—perfect for DIY.
Material Usage Reference Table
Note: Calculations are based on 20 kg per bucket. Actual usage may vary depending on technique, number of coats, and surface conditions. Primers and topcoats are not included.
Horizontal Surface – CPU Material Consumption
Standard usage: 1.5 kg/m² per coat (~1 mm thickness) and 1 bucket = 20 kg
| Area (m²) |
1 Coat (1 mm) |
2 Coats (2 mm) |
3 Coats (3 mm) |
| 1 m² |
1.5 kg (1 bkt) |
3.0 kg (1 bkt) |
4.5 kg (1 bkt) |
| 5 m² |
7.5 kg (1 bkt) |
15.0 kg (1 bkt) |
22.5 kg (2 bkts) |
| 10 m² |
15.0 kg (1 bkt) |
30.0 kg (2 bkts) |
45.0 kg (3 bkts) |
| 20 m² |
30.0 kg (2 bkts) |
60.0 kg (3 bkts) |
90.0 kg (5 bkts) |
| 30 m² |
45.0 kg (3 bkts) |
90.0 kg (5 bkts) |
135.0 kg (7 bkts) |
| 40 m² |
60.0 kg (3 bkts) |
120.0 kg (6 bkts) |
180.0 kg (9 bkts) |
| 50 m² |
75.0 kg (4 bkts) |
150.0 kg (8 bkts) |
225.0 kg (12 bkts) |
| 100 m² |
150.0 kg (8 bkts) |
300.0 kg (15 bkts) |
450.0 kg (23 bkts) |
📝 Buckets are rounded up to the nearest whole unit. Actual coverage may vary based on substrate, technique, and conditions.
Vertical Surface – CPU Material Consumption
0.6 kg/m² per coat (~0.4 mm thickness) and 1 bucket = 20 kg:
| Area (m²) |
1 Coat (0.4 mm) |
2 Coats (0.8 mm) |
3 Coats (1.2 mm) |
| 1 m² |
0.6 kg (1 bkt) |
1.2 kg (1 bkt) |
1.8 kg (1 bkt) |
| 5 m² |
3.0 kg (1 bkt) |
6.0 kg (1 bkt) |
9.0 kg (1 bkt) |
| 10 m² |
6.0 kg (1 bkt) |
12.0 kg (1 bkt) |
18.0 kg (1 bkt) |
| 20 m² |
12.0 kg (1 bkt) |
24.0 kg (2 bkts) |
36.0 kg (2 bkts) |
| 30 m² |
18.0 kg (1 bkt) |
36.0 kg (2 bkts) |
54.0 kg (3 bkts) |
| 40 m² |
24.0 kg (2 bkts) |
48.0 kg (3 bkts) |
72.0 kg (4 bkts) |
| 50 m² |
30.0 kg (2 bkts) |
60.0 kg (3 bkts) |
90.0 kg (5 bkts) |
| 100 m² |
60.0 kg (3 bkts) |
120.0 kg (6 bkts) |
180.0 kg (9 bkts) |
🧰 Note: Bucket counts are rounded up for practicality. Results may vary slightly depending on surface texture, tools used, and environmental factors.
How Much Primer, Mid-coat PU Layer, and Topcoat Do I Need?
🔧 Full Waterproofing System Application (Horizontal Surfaces)
To ensure long-lasting waterproof protection, it’s recommended to apply a
primer, the
core PU waterproof layer, and a
topcoat, each in
two coats. Below is a quick reference guide for material consumption by area:
| Area (m²) |
Primer (2 coats) |
PU Layer (2 coats) |
Topcoat (2 coats) |
| 1 m² |
0.3 kg |
3.0 kg (1 bkt) |
0.6 kg |
| 5 m² |
1.5 kg |
15.0 kg (1 bkt) |
3.0 kg |
| 10 m² |
3.0 kg |
30.0 kg (2 bkts) |
6.0 kg |
| 20 m² |
6.0 kg |
60.0 kg (3 bkts) |
12.0 kg |
| 30 m² |
9.0 kg |
90.0 kg (5 bkts) |
18.0 kg |
| 40 m² |
12.0 kg |
120.0 kg (6 bkts) |
24.0 kg |
| 50 m² |
15.0 kg |
150.0 kg (8 bkts) |
30.0 kg |
| 100 m² |
30.0 kg |
300.0 kg (15 bkts) |
60.0 kg |
🧱 Note: Bucket counts are rounded to whole units. Actual usage may vary slightly based on surface conditions, tool types, and application method.
Link to TPUCO products & PU Knowledge:
Fast drying polyurethane coating:
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/product/Fast-drying-polyurethane-coating
Q27:Key Steps for High-Quality Waterproofing
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/Key-Steps-for-High-Quality-Waterproofing
Q28:How to Choose High-Quality Waterproofing Materials
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/How-to-Choose-High-Quality-Waterproofing-Materials
Q29:CNS 8644: Safeguarding Waterproofing Quality
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/CNS-8644-Safeguarding-Waterproofing-Quality
Q30:CNS 8644 Roofing & Balcony Waterproofing Guide
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/CNS-8644-Roofing-and-Balcony-Waterproofing-Guide
Q31:TPUCO’s CNS 8644-Compliant Waterproof Coatings
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/TPUCO-CNS-8644-Compliant-Waterproof-Coatings
Q32:Team or DIY? Choosing the Right Waterproofing Plan
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/Team-or-DIY-Choosing-the-Right-Waterproofing-Plan
Q33: Why Waterproofing Needs Primer, Mid & Topcoat?
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/Why-Waterproofing-Needs-Primer-Mid-Topcoat
Q34:Waterproofing Project Case Study & Performance Showcase
https://www.taiwanpu.com/en/about/Waterproofing-Project-Case-Study-and-Performance-Showcase
Note: These recommendations are based on internal lab testing, field experience, and international literature. Variation due to unique product formulations or application methods may occur.
📞 For inquiries or premium waterproofing material requests:
Tel: +886 2229 91666
Email: pu@taiwanpu.com