I would not use the plastic insert for the very reasons you noted. Rebar works to reinforce concrete by becomming a part of the stones and cement "fabric". The rebar does not provide a foundation for the concrete, but becomes and intergral part of the concrete: that is why it needs to be in the middle of the concrete, surrounded by concrete, not at the bottom or on one side of the concrete. Moreover, if you isolate the rebar support from the interior water in the tub, then that will only make the inside of the tub that much more susecptible to cracking and failing. With a plastic liner, the interior concrete will shift off the plastic and fall off as the concrete fails (because it lacks support of the rebar to keep it together). Instead of putting the water barrier INSIDE the concrete, you want the barrirer to be on the SURFACE of the concrete. Your solution is to, first, trowel the heck out of the interior of the tub so as to milk the finer sediments to the surface and create a smoother surface. Second, you can waterproof the surface with either a sealant or waterproof paint, depending on how you wnat the surface to look. There are non-glossy sealant product out there to provide somewhat of an "invisible" seal. [This message has been edited by Lawrence (edited April 17, 2003).] |
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