Waterproofing in Kenya is not one product — it is the right product in the right place. The coating that keeps a bathroom dry is not what you torch onto a flat roof, and the sheet that stops rising damp under a floor is different again. Get the match wrong and you pay twice: once for the material and again for the repair. Below is a simple "what to use where" table, then the reasons behind each choice.
Waterproofing: what to use where
| Where | What to use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flat & concrete roofs | APP bituminous membrane, or a cementitious slurry (SikaTop Seal-107) for smaller slabs | Roofs take direct sun and thermal movement. Torch-on APP membrane handles Kenya's heat and UV and gives a seamless, long-life skin over the whole slab. |
| Bathrooms & wet rooms | Dr Fixit Pidifin 2K over the screed, with Pidiproof LW+ mixed into the plaster | Two-part flexible cementitious coating bonds under tiles and stops leaks reaching the ceiling below. Ideal for showers, sunken slabs and kitchen wet areas. |
| Water tanks & reservoirs | Dr Fixit Pidifin 2K, or SikaTop-105 Seal for potable-water structures | Safe for water-retaining structures, applied over the base slab and up the walls. Flexible enough to cope with the tank filling and emptying. |
| Foundations & basements | Damp-proof membrane (DPM gauge 1000) under the slab, plus a cementitious coat on retaining walls | Stops rising damp and ground water before it ever reaches the concrete. Rolled out unbroken beneath the slab so moisture can't wick up into floors. |
| Terraces & balconies | Cementitious slurry (SikaTop Seal-107) or Dr Fixit Pidifin 2K under the tiles | These surfaces pond water and get walked on. A brushed-on cementitious layer under the finish keeps water out of the rooms below. |
| Construction & expansion joints | PVC waterstops / water bars, cast into the joint | Where two concrete pours meet in tanks, basements and retaining walls, a water bar forms a continuous barrier that blocks water under pressure. |
| Gutters & downpipes | Cementitious waterproof mortar (SikaTop Seal-107); seal joints with a flexible sealant | Concrete gutters crack and leak at joints. A brushed cementitious coat plus sealed laps keeps rainwater moving instead of soaking the wall. |
Coverage and coats vary by product and surface. Send us your area in m² on WhatsApp and we'll work out exactly how much you need.
Quick rules that save you money
- Fix cracks and clean the surface first — no coating sticks to dust, oil or loose concrete.
- Waterproof before you tile, plaster or backfill, not after the leak appears.
- Carry the coating up the wall (a good 150–200mm) at every floor-to-wall joint.
- Match flexibility to movement: roofs and tanks move, so use flexible membranes and coatings there.
- For anything holding water under pressure — tanks, basements — cast a PVC water bar into the joints.
Membrane vs. cementitious — which one?
| APP bituminous membrane | Cementitious coating | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Large flat & concrete roofs | Bathrooms, tanks, balconies, gutters |
| Applied by | Torch-on rolls (pro fixing) | Brush or trowel, 2 coats |
| Heat / UV | Excellent — made for it | Good under tiles/screed, less so bare in sun |
| Handles movement | Very well (seamless sheet) | Flexible grades cope with normal movement |
Waterproofing products at Shabbiri
We stock Sika waterproofing, the full Dr Fixit range (Pidifin 2K, Pidiproof LW+, waterproof cement), damp-proof membrane and PVC water bars — ready at Ongata Rongai and Tuala, with countrywide delivery.
Why buy from Shabbiri Hardware
- Building materials specialists since 1990 — we help you pick the right system, not just sell a tin.
- Genuine Sika and Dr Fixit stock at both branches, ready for pickup or delivery.
- Countrywide delivery from Ongata Rongai and Tuala, serving Nairobi and beyond.
- Easy payment: Paybill 542542, M-Pesa or card, and WhatsApp ordering on 0745 554 008.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best waterproofing for a flat roof in Kenya?
For most flat concrete roofs an APP bituminous (torch-on) membrane is the popular choice — it resists Kenya's heat and UV and is applied as a seamless sheet over the whole slab. For smaller slabs or where you want a brushed finish, a cementitious slurry like SikaTop Seal-107 works well. Talk to us on WhatsApp and we'll match the product to your roof size.
Which waterproofing should I use in a bathroom?
Use a two-part flexible cementitious coating such as Dr Fixit Pidifin 2K over the screed, and mix Pidiproof LW+ into the plaster on the walls. Apply it before tiling so any water that gets through the grout is stopped before it reaches the ceiling of the room below.
Can I waterproof a water tank with the same product as a bathroom?
Yes — Dr Fixit Pidifin 2K is safe for water-retaining structures and is commonly used on both. For potable-water tanks and reservoirs, SikaTop-105 Seal is another good option. Coat the base slab and carry the coating up the walls.
How do I stop rising damp in a new house?
Lay a damp-proof membrane (DPM gauge 1000) across the ground before you pour the floor slab, so it forms an unbroken barrier between the soil and the concrete. On retaining and basement walls, add a cementitious waterproof coat and cast PVC water bars into the construction joints.
Do you deliver waterproofing products countrywide?
Yes. We stock Sika, Dr Fixit, DPM and water bars at our Ongata Rongai and Tuala branches and deliver anywhere in Kenya. Order on WhatsApp 0745 554 008 and pay by Paybill 542542, M-Pesa or card.