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Use Gripset BRW PF Tape for: Instantly sealing joints, penetrations, flanges & performing minor repairs before applying finishes like membranes, tiles or renders. Ideal bond breaker tape.
Gripset BRW PF Tape is a high-performance, self-adhesive sealing band featuring a powerful butyl rubber adhesive backing and a unique fabric face. This design provides an instant, watertight seal upon application, eliminating the drying or curing delays associated with liquid sealants. Its excellent adhesion, flexibility, and primer-less capabilities on many common non-porous surfaces make it ideal for Australian trade professionals like Waterproofers, Tilers, Builders, and Plumbers needing fast and reliable detailing for waterproofing, roofing, and general construction tasks. The fabric face ensures seamless compatibility when finished over with Gripset membranes, tile adhesives, renders, and coatings.
Primer Information: For best results, ensure surfaces are clean, dry, sound, and dust-free. Gripset BRW PF Tape typically requires no primer on dense, non-porous surfaces like metals (Colorbond, Zincalume, Aluminium, Copper), PVC, glazed tiles, and dense concrete. However, highly porous surfaces (masonry, fibre cement, timber, some concrete) or dusty surfaces must be primed using Gripset GP, E60 or Xpress H20 Primer Plus. Crucially, if applying to damp surfaces, priming with Gripset E60 moisture barrier primer is mandatory before applying the tape.
Cure Time: One of the standout benefits of Gripset BRW PF Tape is its instant sealing capability. No drying or curing time is needed. Once correctly applied, subsequent compatible finishes (membranes, tile adhesives, renders) can be installed immediately, significantly speeding up project timelines for trades like Tilers and Waterproofers.
Coverage Rate: Gripset BRW PF Tape provides precise coverage based on roll length. Each roll is 10 metres long. An 80mm wide roll covers 10 linear metres of joint or area at 80mm width. A 150mm wide roll covers 10 linear metres at 150mm width. Calculate usage based on the linear metres of detailing required for the job.
Application Temperature Range: Apply Gripset BRW PF Tape when the surface temperature is between 5°C and 30°C (41°F to 86°F). This range suits most Australian working conditions, but avoid application on very hot surfaces directly in the sun or on frosty surfaces in southern winters until temperatures moderate.
Chemical Properties: The core adhesive is butyl rubber, known for its excellent adhesion and sealing properties. Gripset BRW PF Tape is solvent-free, making it a lower-odour and safer option for internal applications compared to solvent-based products. Note: It is not compatible with solvent-based materials applied directly over the tape.
Key Features of Gripset BRW PF Tape
- Instant Peel & Stick Seal: Provides immediate waterproofing and sealing upon application, saving valuable time on site as no drying or curing is needed before over-coating. Perfect for quick repairs or detailing.
- Primer-Less on Many Surfaces: Adheres excellently to clean, dry non-porous substrates like metals, PVC, and dense concrete without priming, reducing preparation time and cost.
- Integrated Fabric Face: Unique fleece surface allows direct application of Gripset membranes, tile adhesives, renders, and coatings, ensuring system compatibility and a strong bond for finishes.
- Flexible & Deformable: Easily conforms to shapes, corners, and penetrations for effective detailing. Its 70% elongation handles minor movement.
- Excellent Adhesion & Thermal Stability: Maintains a strong bond (>80N Peel Adhesion) across its service temperature range (-30°C to 80°C), ensuring reliability once covered. Retains adhesion well in low temperatures.
- Rupture and Tear Resistant: Durable construction resists damage during application, ensuring a reliable seal.
- Solvent Free & Non-Toxic: Safer for applicators and suitable for internal use without strong solvent odours.
Why Choose Gripset BRW PF Tape:
- Accelerate Project Timelines: Eliminate sealant cure times – apply tape and immediately install finishes like tiles or membranes.
- Simplify Detailing: Achieve quick, reliable seals around tricky penetrations, junctions, and flanges where liquid application can be slow or messy.
- Reduce Preparation Steps: Save time and material cost with primer-less application on common non-porous building materials like Colorbond or PVC pipes.
- Ensure System Compatibility: Designed specifically to integrate seamlessly under Gripset waterproofing membranes and cement-based finishes, reducing risk of incompatibility.
- Versatile Application: Ideal for bond breaking, sealing joints (non-movement), patching metal surfaces, and general waterproofing detailing across multiple trades.
When to Choose Gripset BRW PF Tape versus Alternatives:
- Choose Gripset BRW PF Tape over liquid sealants when: Speed is critical (instant seal needed), detailing complex shapes, applying a bond breaker, or working on non-porous surfaces where its primer-less feature saves time. Ideal when immediate over-coating with compatible finishes is required.
- Choose Gripset BRW PF Tape over standard butyl tapes when: You need to apply cement-based adhesives, renders, or Gripset membranes directly over the tape (the fabric face is key for this compatibility).
- Consider other options (like liquid membranes or specialised joint sealants) when: Sealing active expansion joints (BRW PF Tape is not suitable), dealing with negative hydrostatic pressure, requiring a UV-exposed finish (BRW PF Tape must be covered), or when applying over consistently damp surfaces without the specific E60 primer.
Trade-Specific Applications for Gripset BRW PF Tape:
For Waterproofers:
- Application: Creating instant seals for wall/floor junctions, around pipe penetrations, sealing puddle flanges, and as a bond breaker tape under membranes. Apply firmly, ensuring no air pockets, before membrane application.
- Material Compatibility: Excellent on primed concrete/masonry, CFC sheeting, PVC pipes, and metal flanges. Fabric face ready for direct application of Gripset liquid membranes.
- Performance Benefits: Saves significant time compared to waiting for liquid sealants to cure in detailing areas. Provides reliable secondary seal at critical points.
For Tilers:
- Application: Use as a bond breaker tape at internal corners (wall/floor, wall/wall) and around penetrations *under* the tile adhesive and membrane system. Ensures isolation from minor movements.
- Material Compatibility: Adheres to common wet area substrates (CFC, plasterboard, primed concrete/render). Fabric face allows direct application of cement-based tile adhesives (check adhesive manufacturer compatibility if not using Gripset system).
- Performance Benefits: Speeds up preparation for tiling by providing an instant bond breaker. Low profile (0.8mm) minimises build-up under tiles.
For Builders & Carpenters:
- Application: Sealing joints in compressed fibre cement (CFC) sheeting (must be over-coated), detailing around window/door frames before membrane/render application, sealing nail/screw penetrations in substrate sheeting (prior to covering).
- Material Compatibility: Adheres well to timber, CFC sheeting, plasterboard, and metals. Ensure porous surfaces are primed.
- Performance Benefits: Quick and easy way to detail junctions and penetrations, improving the overall weather-tightness of the building envelope before cladding or finishes are applied.
For Plumbers:
- Application: Instantly sealing around pipe penetrations (PVC, copper) through floors and walls, detailing puddle flanges. Apply tape firmly onto clean pipe and substrate before flange installation or subsequent sealing/membrane work.
- Material Compatibility: Excellent adhesion to PVC, copper, aluminium, galvanised steel, and common construction substrates surrounding pipes. Often primer-less on PVC/metals.
- Performance Benefits: Much faster than using multi-step liquid sealant methods for pipe penetrations. Provides an immediate seal against water ingress during construction phases (must be covered long-term).
For Roofers & Sheet Metal Workers:
- Application: Patching small holes or pitted areas on metal roofs/gutters (must be over-coated with appropriate roofing membrane/coating), sealing laps in metal flashing details (under primary flashing), sealing around vents or skylight frames prior to final flashing/sealing.
- Material Compatibility: Excellent bond to Colorbond®, Zincalume®, galvanised iron, aluminium, copper. Ensure surfaces are clean, dry and free of contaminants.
- Performance Benefits: Provides a quick, temporary or preparatory seal for minor repairs and detailing. Instant adhesion useful for holding components in place before mechanical fixing or final sealing. Remember: Must be protected from UV exposure.
Application Information
- Required Tools: Sharp Knife or Scissors (e.g., Stanley knife), small Application Roller (e.g., vinyl roller, Seam Roller) or Spatula for pressing tape firmly. Tape Measure. Cleaning cloths/solvent wipes for surface preparation. Primer application tools if required (brush/roller).
- Trade-Specific Tips: *Waterproofers/Tilers:* Ensure tape is pressed firmly into corners and around penetrations to eliminate air voids before over-coating. *Roofers:* Clean metal surfaces meticulously for best adhesion. *All Trades:* Apply smoothly, avoiding creases where possible. For joins, overlap tape ends by at least 50mm.
- Common Issues and Solutions: *Poor Adhesion:* Surface likely dirty, dusty, damp, or requires priming. Clean thoroughly, ensure dryness, and prime if necessary (use E60 for damp). *Air Bubbles/Creases:* Lift carefully and re-apply, pressing firmly from the centre outwards with a roller or spatula. *Applying below 5°C or above 30°C:* Adhesion may be compromised; wait for suitable conditions.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Storage Requirements: Store rolls flat in their original packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Ideal storage is at room temperature (approx. 15°C - 25°C). Avoid storing in excessively hot sheds or vehicles during Australian summers.
- Shelf Life Information: Best used within 12 months of purchase date for optimal performance. However, if stored correctly as per recommendations, the product properties remain stable for longer.
- Temperature Considerations: Not affected by frost during storage. Keep away from sources of heat. Application temperature is critical (5°C-30°C).
Certifications and Compliance
- Designed for use within waterproofing and building systems that need to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards (e.g., AS 3740 Waterproofing, AS 4654.2 Waterproofing membranes).
- Manufactured under quality systems. RLA Polymers provides a manufacturer's warranty against defects, subject to correct application and use, supported by guarantees under Australian Consumer Law.
- Performance data tested to EN and ASTM international standards (Tensile Strength EN 12311-1, Peel Adhesion ASTM D1000, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions About Gripset BRW PF Tape
Q: Can I use Gripset BRW PF Tape for outdoor applications where it will be exposed to sunlight?
A: No, Gripset BRW PF Tape is not designed for permanent UV exposure. It must be protected by applying a suitable finish over it, such as a Gripset liquid membrane, tile adhesive and tiles, render, or compatible coating. It's intended for detailing *under* other finishes.
Q: Do I always need to prime the surface before applying the tape?
A: Not always. Priming is generally not required on clean, dry, non-porous surfaces like metals (Colorbond, Zincalume, Aluminium), PVC plastics, or glazed tiles. However, you MUST prime porous surfaces (concrete, masonry, fibre cement, timber), dusty surfaces, or any surface that is damp (use Gripset E60 for dampness).
Q: Can I tile directly over the Gripset BRW PF Tape?
A: Yes, the fabric face of the tape is specifically designed for this. You can apply compatible cement-based tile adhesives directly onto the tape once it's correctly applied. Ensure the tape is pressed firmly with no air pockets. It acts as an effective bond breaker at junctions when tiling.
Q: What's the best way to join two pieces of BRW PF Tape?
A: When joining two lengths of tape or creating corners, ensure you overlap the pieces by a minimum of 50mm. Press the overlapping section down firmly with a roller or spatula to ensure a continuous seal between the layers.
Q: What should I do if the concrete slab or wall is slightly damp?
A: You cannot apply Gripset BRW PF Tape directly to a damp surface. You must first prime the damp area with Gripset E60 Epoxy Primer/Sealer according to its instructions. Once the E60 primer is appropriately cured/tacky (refer to E60 TDS), you can then apply the BRW PF Tape.
Q: Is this tape suitable for sealing expansion joints in a concrete slab?
A: No, Gripset BRW PF Tape is not designed for use in dynamic expansion joints or joints subject to significant movement. It is primarily for static joints, junctions, penetrations, and bond-breaking applications under finishes. Use specialised expansion joint sealants for these applications.
Use Gripset BRW PF Tape for:
- Waterproofing Detailing: Creating fast, reliable seals at wall/floor junctions, internal corners, and around penetrations (pipes, drains) before membrane application. Used extensively by Waterproofers.
- Bond Breaker Applications: Acting as a bond breaker tape under tiled systems (AS 3740 requirement) or membrane systems at junctions to accommodate minor movement. Essential for Tilers and Waterproofers.
- Sealing Puddle Flanges: Providing an instant seal around floor waste puddle flanges in bathrooms, laundries, and balconies. A key task for Plumbers and Waterproofers.
- Patching Metal Surfaces: Quick repairs for pinholes or small damaged areas on metal roofing or tanks *before* applying a protective coating or membrane system. Useful for Roofers and Maintenance trades.
- Sealing Joints & Laps (Non-Movement): Sealing static joints in sheeting materials (e.g., CFC) or lapped flashing details prior to over-coating or final sealing. Applicable for Builders, Carpenters, and Roofers.
- General Building Repairs: Sealing cracks (non-structural) or joints in various substrates needing immediate sealing before application of renders, textures or paint systems.
Why Use Gripset BRW PF Tape for:
- Time Efficiency in Wet Areas: Allows tilers and waterproofers to proceed immediately with membrane or adhesive application after detailing, drastically cutting downtime compared to liquid sealants.
- Reliable Bond Breaking: Ensures compliance with Australian Standard AS 3740 for bond breaking at junctions under tiled finishes, preventing stress concentration and potential failure.
- Simplified Penetration Sealing: Offers plumbers and waterproofers a quicker and often cleaner method for sealing around pipes compared to gunned sealants, especially with primer-less adhesion to PVC/metals.
- System Compatibility Assurance: Using BRW PF Tape within a Gripset system (primers, membranes) ensures tested compatibility and reduces risk for specifiers and applicators.
- Versatility Across Trades: Provides a go-to solution for various quick sealing and detailing tasks encountered by Builders, Carpenters, Roofers, and maintenance personnel.
How to apply Gripset BRW PF Tape:
- Prepare Surface: Ensure the substrate is clean, sound, smooth, dry, and free from dust, grease, loose materials, or contaminants. Repair defects. Check surface temperature is between 5°C and 30°C.
- Prime (If Required): Apply the appropriate Gripset primer (GP, Xpress H20 Plus, or E60 for dampness) to porous, dusty, or damp surfaces as per primer instructions. Allow primer to dry/cure as specified before applying tape. No primer is typically needed on clean, dry metals, PVC, or glazed surfaces.
- Measure and Cut: Measure the length of tape needed for the joint, penetration, or area. Cut the Gripset BRW PF Tape cleanly using sharp scissors or a utility knife.
- Apply Tape: Carefully peel back a portion of the release liner paper from the grey butyl adhesive side. Position the tape accurately, ensuring the white fabric face is exposed upwards.
- Adhere Firmly: Press the tape down firmly onto the substrate, working from the centre outwards. Use a small roller (vinyl/seam roller) or spatula to smooth out any air bubbles or creases and ensure full contact and adhesion. Gradually remove the release liner as you progress along longer runs.
- Overlap Joins: If joining lengths of tape, overlap the ends by at least 50mm, pressing the overlap down firmly.
- Apply Finish: Once the tape is correctly applied, compatible finishes (Gripset membranes, tile adhesives, renders) can be applied immediately over the fabric face. No cure time is required for the tape itself.
Gripset BRW PF Tape limitations:
- Must Be Covered: Not UV resistant and not designed for permanent exposure to weather or sunlight. Must be finished over with a suitable membrane, tile system, render, or coating.
- Not for Expansion Joints: Cannot accommodate significant ongoing movement found in designed expansion or control joints. Use appropriate flexible joint sealants for these.
- Not for Negative Hydrostatic Pressure: Not suitable for sealing joints or surfaces resisting water pressure from behind (e.g., inside basement walls, below water table) without specific system design.
- Requires Dry Surface (or E60 Primer): Cannot be applied directly onto damp or wet surfaces. Damp surfaces must be primed with Gripset E60 first.
- Temperature Limits: Application surface temperature must be between 5°C and 30°C.
- Solvent Incompatibility: Do not apply solvent-based paints, coatings, or sealants directly onto the tape. Check compatibility before over-coating with non-Gripset products.
Safety precautions when using Gripset BRW PF Tape:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): While solvent-free, wearing gloves (e.g., nitrile or cloth) is recommended to keep hands clean and improve grip. Safety glasses are good practice during any construction task.
- Ventilation: No specific ventilation requirements due to being solvent-free. Work in normally ventilated areas.
- Handling: Keep release liner on until point of application. Press firmly to adhere. The adhesive is sticky; avoid contact with unwanted surfaces.
- Cutting: Use sharp tools (knife/scissors) carefully to avoid injury.
- First Aid: If adhesive contacts skin, gently peel off or clean with a suitable hand cleaner. If irritation occurs, seek medical advice. For eye contact, flush gently with water. Refer to Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed information.
- Disposal: Dispose of offcuts and release liner according to local council regulations. Product is non-hazardous waste.
Gripset BRW PF Tape can be used on the following substrates:
- Concrete: Must be fully cured, sound, smooth, clean, and dry. Dense concrete may not need priming; porous concrete requires priming (e.g., Gripset GP or E60). Damp concrete requires Gripset E60 primer.
- Metals: Suitable for Galvanised iron, Zincalume®, Copper, Aluminium, Colorbond®. Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free from grease or oxidation. Generally primer-less.
- Timber: Plywood, particleboard flooring (check suitability for intended use), structural timber. Must be clean, dry, and sound. Requires priming due to porosity.
- Fibre Cement Sheeting (CFC): Compressed fibre cement sheets commonly used in Australian construction (e.g., Villaboard lining, external cladding sheets). Must be clean, dry, and primed due to porosity.
- Plasterboard: Standard and water-resistant plasterboard used in walls and ceilings. Must be clean, dry, and generally requires priming.
- Masonry: Brickwork, blockwork, rendered surfaces. Must be sound, clean, dry, pointed flush, and primed due to porosity.
- Glazed Surfaces: Ceramics, porcelain tiles, glass. Must be meticulously cleaned and dry. Generally primer-less.
- Stone: Marble, granite. Ensure surfaces are clean, dry, and non-friable. Test adhesion on specific stone types; priming may be needed if porous.
- Plastics: PVC (e.g., plumbing pipes), Polycarbonate sheeting. Must be clean and dry. Generally primer-less on rigid PVC.
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