Tanking vs moisture resistant grouting

[momer79]

We are redoing our bathroom and had a long discussion on tanking with our handyman who does minor plumbing and tiling.

We have asked him to tank around the bath and shower areas.

He has been saying that if grouting is properly applied then there is no need for tanking as grouting is moisture resistant. He said that in olden days no one was using tanking in bathrooms and people never had issues.

Why tanking was introduced when it wasn’t there in olden days?

Thanks

 

[Dave]

😂. We did have issues and for many many yrs. water has ingressed grout for yrs. love a handyman full of knowledge 😂.
Honestly just tank to protect your substrate. 👍

 

[Tile Marble Granite]

Romans used to waterproof their baths 2000 years ago. It's a fact!

 

[Tiberiu]

Countless times I've come across bathrooms wrecked by water ingress behind the tiles through the cracked grout or failed silicone. For your peace of mind waterproof the wet areas or if you're boarding up new use tile backer boards which are totally waterproof