More sealant goes over the top. ft. 39.4 in. A later arrival on the scene, foamboard shower pans are presloped, drain-ready, easy to install, and ready for tile. to 12-in.) Ardex 8+9 and Laticrete Hydro Ban Quick Cure are two well-known examples. Rayshield Heat Reflective Waterproofing Membrane is a one component liquid applied waterproofing membrane. Waterproof, top to bottom. Most shower-system manufacturers make all three types of products, so if you stay in a given brand family, you can mix and match them as needed, enjoying warranties that range from 25 years to life. Start your subscription today and save up to 70%. Foamboard cuts with a utility knife and attaches with specialized screws. Product availability is another challenge, so its important to understand more than one approach. As they have in other aspects of tile-setting, Europe has led the way in waterproofing. The old-school approach to shower walls is similar. x 33 ft. Waterproofing Backer Board Seam Tape Underlayment, Durabase WP 108 sq. The article includes pros and cons of each system and method, and a rundown of manufacturers and shower-waterproofing products. Start from the bottom and work upward. ft. 3 ft. 3 in. x 16.5 ft. Uncoupling Mat Membrane for Tile and Stone, Kerdi 3 ft. 3 in. Roll out and press on. Concrete is porous, of course, and the top layer becomes saturated with water. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Waterproofing Membrane, Kerdi-Band 5 in. Bearing the bulk of the water and weight, the shower pan is where a durable waterproofing system is most critical. The new standard for tile substrates is waterproof, not water-resistant, and these three systems all deliver. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. While not quite as a strong and durable as sheet membranes, with somewhat lower crack-isolation abilities, liquid-applied membranes go down as a thin, flat layer, in large areas and corners alike. schluter shower kerdi pan drain center 32x60 kit st systems sizes inch For easy insurance, I sometimes brush a liquidapplied membrane, also part of the Ardex 8+9 system, over each joint and seam. Collapse the ridges. Walk all over the pan to collapse the thin-set ridges and ensure the pan is fully bonded. If you are applying a liquid membrane over a drypack- mortar shower pan or mudfloated walls, you need to let the mud properly cure first, which typically takes 72 hours. Understanding them will help you design the right combination for your skills and needs. My preferred base for a shower is a mud-bed pan, custom-formed from dry-pack concrete. Its better to be too thick than too thin. They are applied to the substrate with thinset mortarsome requiring modified, others unmodified. Using advanced composite technology found in watercraft construction, KBRS invented a unique way to manufacture custom shower pans in virtually any shape, size or drain location. While a little pricier than other approaches, foamboard systems are quick and easy to use, making them a great option for DIYers. A flood test is relatively simple. A perm rating is a standard measure of a materials permeance, based on the quantity of water vapor that will pass through it in a given period under a given amount of pressure. Another critical guideline is the cure time between coats, usually a full day for the first coat and less for the second. x 98 ft. 5 in. What are the advantages of these backer boards? A bead of sealant goes over every seam and is troweled flat. Contact KBRS, Inc. Monday - Friday 9:00AM-6:00PM EST Via Phone: (866) 912-3211 or Email: orders@kbrs.com KBRS, Inc. that provides excellent reflectance & elastomeric properties, Rayshield Heat Reflective Waterproofing Membrane. To deal with this, there is a two-part drain assembly: the usual finished drain cover on top, flush with the tile, and a second drain below, in the form of weep holes, which are intended to allow water that seeps down to the liner to escape into a lower portion of the drain. And they can be tiled on immediately as well. 1 day to Redgard the shower and wait for it to dry completely, I dont care what they say on the instructions. And the lightweight foamboard is easy to handle and cutslicing and snapping like drywall. Waterproofing Plus Crack Prevention Tile and Floor Membrane Adhesive, Kerdi-DS 3 ft. 3 in. A flood test lets you know what you are providing to the customer, and saves you the immense hassle and expense of coming back six months later to tear out the tile and track down leaks. Moisture barrier or Waterproofing membrane? In many ways, bonded sheet membranes are the top-tier waterproofing option. While the new products add some cost and/or time to most jobs, I want to stand behind the products I use, knowing that Ive done everything in my power to create beautiful, durable showers. On mud-bed shower pans, I dont trust a liquid-applied membrane on its own. I prefer solid, customizable mudbed shower pans, and a bonded sheet membrane is by far the best way to fully waterproof the concrete. Sheet membranes are typically made of polyethylene, with a bonding fleece on both sides to help with adhesion. This article runs through the options when it comes to waterproofing foamboard, bonded sheet membrane, and liquid-applied membrane and gives a closer look at three approaches that incorporate these waterproofing options. Its paramount that the structure of the home is engineered to meet all seismic and load-bearing requirements, and meet or exceed building codes. KBRS continues to be trusted by discerning property owners around the world. Of course, no tile assembly can survive improper framing. for floors with 16-in. To accommodate these raised areas, I use a medium-bed thinset and a larger notch trowel (38-in. Most systems offer presloped foamboard shower pans, rabbeted at their edges to accept the wall panels. when setting tile on top. Unfortunately, without proper waterproofing over the top, the concrete becomes an unhealthy sponge, threatening the health of the home and its occupants. The trouble is that tile and grout are water-permeable, meaning they let water through to the substrate. Even when its not required, I think its an easy way to add strength to areas that are vulnerable to expansion and contraction in the framing. There are three types of proven products for waterproofing shower substratessheet membrane, liquid-applied membrane, and foamboard and you can often use them together in the same shower. 3 Shower-Pan Choices for a Solid Tile Floor Installation, Finishing Touches for a Porcelain-Slab Shower, Video Series: Tile a Barrier-Free Bathroom, Expert insights on techniques and principles, Tile substrate and waterproofing in one step, Limited pan sizes and shapes, although they can be field-trimmed, Requires skill and experience to apply properly, Mud-bed pan is rock solid and completely customizable, Mud-bed pan and sheet membrane require training and experience. Custom-tiled showers are a sizable investment, and should last the lifetime of your home. Some liquid-applied waterproofing requires mesh tape or fabric reinforcement in the corners and transitions. If the water level doesnt drop (other than by evaporation), the pan passes the test. We just talked about cure times while waiting for the liquid waterproofing products to dry. Effective over everything from traditional backerboard to a mud-bed shower pan, bonded sheet membrane offers the highest level of waterpoofing, durability, and crack isolation. The most innovative products come largely from Italy (Mapei) and Germany (Wedi, Schluter, and Ardex), though U.S. companies like Laticrete have also stepped up. The first step is bonding the base to the subfloor with thinset mortar. The most accurate way to measure thickness is using a wet-film gauge, which is a great idea when youre still getting used to these products. My main issue with foamboard shower pans is the limited range of sizes, drain types, and drain locations. Waterproofing Membrane, Kerdi-Band 5 in. What are the 4 shower waterproofing systems for tile showers? hower mud pans have their own cure times, also. Wedis screw and washer system attaches the panels securely. Apply thinset. The higher the number, the more readily vapor can diffuse through the barrier. Its too critical of an area to take a chance on. After cutting it to size, roll on the bonded sheet membrane, and smooth it with your hands to get it to stick in place. Part of the Plaza and Deck system. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Run a bead of sealant between each panel and trowel more over the seams, then coat fasteners and seal around penetrations. - Eric Anderson, President, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of East GeorgiaRead the full post on ProRemodeler.com. Im using cement board in this example. I like the durability and crack-isolation properties of sheet membrane over concrete, and I feel more confident standing and working on it than I do a liquid-applied film, which is more vulnerable to damage. Attach the drain flange. behind cement backer board and mortar mud walls. While this traditional approach takes practice and experience to master, the payoff is a rock-solid, completely customizable pan that works with any drain or shower configuration. The foamboard is faster and less labor-intensive than installing backerboard or drywall and then waterproofing over the top of it. For added resistanceto movement in the framing and substrate, Iadd fiberglass tape at the joints around theshower pan, embedding it in the sealant. ultra-high performance top-coat system developed by LATICRETE. First, make sure youre applying the waterproofing at the required thickness, measured in mils (1 mil equals 0.001 in.). Putting the liquids on too thin is a problem but you dont want them too thick either. Wood-framed homes expand and contract with fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Then the tile sticks directly to the waterproofing. Specialized fasteners. x 32 ft. Waterproofing Membrane Underlayment, Building Panel 3 ft. x 5 ft. x 1/2 in. Apply a full bead of sealant along each notch. From a construction standpoint, the function of a shower is to protect the wood structure of the home by capturing water and directing it into the plumbing system. Staying within the Laticrete Hydro Ban family of products, I combined foam wallboard and joint sealant, sheet membrane for the mud-bed pan, and a liquid-applied membrane on seams and corners. A number of sheet-membrane or foamboard waterproofing systems include a liquid-applied membrane or sealant as one of their components, to waterproof seams, joints, and penetrations. The three custom showers featured in this article demonstrate how easy this is to do. ft. 3 ft. 3in. Use a flat trowel to evacuate all of the air bubbles and flatten the thinset ridges to get adhesion across 100% of the surface. My personal favorites in the foamboard family are Wedi Building Board and Laticrete Hydro Ban, which seem stiffer and more durable than Schluter-Kerdi-Board and others. It starts with a vapor retarder like tar paper or plastic stapled to the studs. Aultra-high performance top-coat system developed by LATICRETEfor heavy-duty environments with high traction requirements. Steam showers are a different beastto handle higher temperatures and vapor levels, steam showers require higher-level waterproofing systems. Be careful to sink fasteners so they just dimple the board, sitting flush with the surface but not much farther. Like any building material, each type of waterproofing has its tradeoffs. They are a backerboard and waterproofing system in one, eliminating the need for a separate cementboard or mud bed and then a sheet or liquid membrane over the top. This article appears in Fine Homebuilding issue #298 titled Waterproofing Tile Showers. Waterproofing Membrane. While my favorite sheet-membrane systems require large overlaps, and dont call for liquid-applied membranes specifically, I often add one at seams and joints anyway, for additional peace of mind. Photos by Asa Christiana. how these are built. Then the water is left to sit in the pan for a minimum of 24 hours. Once the waterproofing has been installed and allowed to cure, per manufacturers recommendations, the shower pan is plugged with a cap or test balloon and then filled to the level of the curb with water, or to a marked line. This full Wedi Building Board system includes wall panels and a presloped, one-piece pan, with a quick-curing sealant used at joints, seams, and penetrations. FOAMBOARD is fast and easy. These arent hard and fast rules but general guidelines. The preformed pans are also relatively expensive, compared to a mud bed and sheet membrane. In fact, these new systems are so reliable that some manufacturers now offer lifetime warranties on their waterproofing products, if used as directed. book gives two different options for moisture membranes. That said, I always allow sheet membranes a few days to cure before flood-testing the waterproofing (more on that later) and setting tile. I do know of some shower failures that have come from a separation in these critical corners. shower schluter kit kerdi kits tile installed KBRS's product makes it much easier and quicker to get the same result.". Walls are easy. x 23 ft. Waterproofing Membrane, RedGard SpeedCoat 1 Gal. For a system to qualify for steamshower use, it needs a perm rating of 1 or less for residential use and 0.5 or less in a commercial setting. All Rights Reserved. A, But they do have some drawbacks. You can apply products like these on just about any shower or floor substrate quickly and easily, using a roller or paintbrush. The hope was everything would dry between showers, but in bathrooms that are used regularly, that doesnt happen. joist spacing. Need Help? Second, be sure to apply the correct number of coats. x 32 ft. 10 in. Joint sealant goes below the flange, and a threaded collar pulls it tight. shower waterproofing tile layers walls systems bathroom membrane crash construction course tiling membranes bathtub liquid restroom moisture options tub surround The edges should be covered also. So Ill start there, taking a quick look at the two most common approaches to pans: preformed, high-density foamboard bases, and custom-formed mud beds. There are certain sections that cover wet areas like showers. With wider joist spacing, check with the waterproofing manufacturer for their tested assemblies. Understanding current waterproofing options will help you create a tiled shower that will stand the test of time. Choose from liquid waterproofing membranes which can be applied for both waterproofing and as a crack isolation membrane / anti fracture, or waterproofing sheet membranes which allow for a quick, easy waterproof installation. Most brands also offer preformed shower pans that interlock with the wall panels. All brands offer a liquid product that can be used this way, and since theyre so quick and easy to apply, its hard to say no to the cheap insurance. Add wall panels. Tiling Project Guide. LATICRETE waterproofing products provide protection for floors and walls for applications ranging from occasionally wet, to continuous water submersion as in showers or pools. Special accessories for penetrations. zurn fd2 strainer specify pv3 drains Its critical here not to press out all of the thinset and leave a path for water. Sometimes used as a complete waterproofing system on its own, this versatile product is best employed in a hybrid approach. Old substrate systems fall far short of this goal. That means you have to use the right product, at the right consistency, and collapse every trowel ridge while leaving a thin layer of thinset behind every seam. That means the subfloor for floor and shower tile should be a minimum of 58-in. x 98 ft. x 1/8 in. Appropriate waterproofing systems for steam showers include Schluter- Kerdi-DS and Ardex SK 175 sheet membranes, and Wedi Vapor 85 foamboard. for heavy-duty environments with high traction requirements. 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Unlike with liquid-applied membranes, which Ill discuss in a moment, you can apply a sheet membrane over a mud-bed assembly without letting the concrete dry fully first. The solution is to apply a bonded sheet membrane (see below) over all surfaces, keeping water out of the concrete entirely. For beginners, its just too easy to overwork the joints and leave a path for water. H2Opel Waterproofing Membrane is a two component, flexible polymer modified membrane designed to protect substrates such as concrete & masonry from the ingress of water vapour/ moisture. This is how I use liquid-applied waterproofing most often. The good news is that you can have all the benefits of a custom mud-bed pan without any of the potential problems. A second mud bed goes over that for the tile to adhere to. If it does leak, youll generally notice water on the nearby subfloor or the ceiling below, and youll have the chance to track down and fix the leaks before tile is installed. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Both of my favorites offer a compatible sheet membrane that I use on my mud-bed pans. Waterproofing Strip, Kerdi 3 ft. 3 in. Another key factor in maintaining warranties is using products as intended. Apply sealant. Others have extended their warranties significantly. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Smart collars are available for common plumbing penetrations. is a liquid applied, thin waterproofing anti-fracture membrane that combines optimum performance and unmatched productivity. Waterproof Floor Uncoupling Mat Underlayment, Blue Max 3.5 Gal. This also makes the mud-bed pan easier to build, without the two-step process, rubber liner, two-part drain, etc. Synopsis: Tile and grout are water-permeable, so to create a waterproof shower, a substrate system must be completely waterproof. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Flooring Material Features: Waterproofing membrane, RedGard 54 sq. In short, they must be virtually vaporproof. Unfortunately, if you tear up shower tile that was installed in the 1990s and earlier, as I often do, youll find a host of catastrophes, including horrifying mildew and mold growth as well as failed framingrotted through after long-term exposure to water. of the mud pan. Plumbing penetrations are prone to leaks and water infiltration, but sheet-membrane systems provide great products for sealing these weak points too, including collar seals that go around pipes, and gaskets that seal around the mixing valve. Last, more of the same sealant is troweled over each seam and penetration. In one large master bathroom I worked on, the traditional shower assembly I tore out had cementboard walls with a layer of Aquabar tar paper behind, a water-resistant approach some contractors still rely on. Once again, you have a porous substrate that holds and traps moisture. french basement drain drains system footing walls waterproofing solutions install basements damp houselogic drainage feeling diy contractor apply then water Drive them carefully, just flush with the surface. Both cementboard and tar paper were trashed from constant saturation. Combined with a specialized sealant for the drain and seams, they are also waterproof. Top brands include Schluter, Noble Company, Ardex, Wedi, Mapei, and Laticrete. Because sheet-membrane systems utilize overlapping strips to waterproof seams, there is inevitable buildup in some spots, especially corners. Theres a handbook, especially for tile installers. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Im using a Laticrete linear drain here, setting it in the dry-pack mud-bed shower pan before installing the bottom piece of foamboard over its back edge. Place the pan. Most systems also offer preformed niche boxes that integrate nicely as well. If youre doing the work yourself, as a pro or DIYer, do your research, follow current professional standards and product guidelines, and consider one of the training courses offered by manufacturers. minimal waterproofing system and would be used in areas like vertical shower walls and areas that dont require more heavy-duty shower waterproofing systems. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. In consistently warm, dry climates, where the shower can dry out between use, these assemblies sometimes hold up, but in the other weather regions you get mold and mildew. Whether plumbing inspections require a shower-pan flood test or not, I always do one for peace of mind. Its called the. Typically, y. banding material for this purpose along with preformed waterproof pieces for the corners. Time-tested products include Schluter-Kerdi-Board and Wedi Building Board, though there are other excellent newer products, including Johns Manville Goboard, USG Durock Ultralight, Laticrete Hydro Ban, and Provas Prova-Board Plus. Liquid-applied membranes can be used in two ways: as a standalone waterproofing system or as a complement to other systems. Log in, For starters, the companies that manufacture tile backer boards deserve some blame. Hydrolinate Waterproofing Membrane system for below grade construction is designed to provide flexibility to perform over a wide range of installation technique, weather, substrates and conditions. Joint sealant completes this DIY-friendly system. Generally, I use foamboard on walls only, with a custom mud-bed pan below (by using a sheet membrane from the same foamboard manufacturer to waterpoof the pan, I keep the warranty intact). If you are hiring a professional, it is important to ask which waterproofing methods and products they plan to use, and why. The pipe collar fits tightly, while one for a mixing valve directs water around it and down. However, there are an increasing number of faster-curing products that come in handy when time is a big factor. Also, you can use the standard seam strips in nonstandard ways: around the edges of niches and curbs, and even around the entire floortaking advantage of their strength and crack-isolation properties. Or visit our online store at ShowerBase.com. In general, the rule of thumb is that the finished membrane should be the approximate thickness of a drivers license. Maybe sometimes they reason it out themselves and decide waterproofing a shower isnt necessary. Enter the password below to access the partner portal. As a general contractor and a tile-setter, I can control every aspect of my jobs, from framing to finishes, but if you are a tile specialist, without as much control over the substrate, bonded sheet membranes will go over whatever backerboard the contractor or drywallers choose to install, and still guarantee a waterproof assembly. Liquid-applied membranes are handy and versatile, but they have their limitations. Done in a day. The pan is rabbeted to accept the wall panels. Also, if and when the concrete cracks, even a little, bulk water passes through. Although sheet-membrane systems are marketed as DIY-friendly, I dont recommend them for first-time tilers. as theyve been taught. I decided a long time ago to make my own decisions about tile waterproofing, rather than letting builders or clients make them based on budget or misleading information. Hydropel Waterproofing Membrane is a two component cementitious seamless waterproofing membrane polymer modified which cures to form a tough flexible membrane to protect all concrete and masonry surfaces against the ingress of water and moisture. schluter reno transitions transition anodized sccpublic sloped reducer edging profiles moveable Taking advantage of their unmatched strength and durability, I use sheet membranes on all of my mud-bed shower pans, and occasionally on walls too, in place of foamboard systems. "I've installed so many other well-known brands, but those still require a certain amount of skill to make sure youve got a 100% leak-proof system. The traditional mud-bed approach starts with a preslopea preliminary mud bed sloped to the drain and then covered with a synthetic rubber or plastic shower pan liner or hot-mop tar. After applying bandings to each seam, let the thinset cure overnight and youre ready to tile. plywoodI always use 34-in. Our innovative process and cutting-edge material technology unite to give you exceptionally durable, easy-to-install, 100% waterproof products that are ready to be finished with any decorative tile imaginable. See our products in person by visiting a local KBRS Dealer. Seal every screw and plumbing penetration with the Wedi sealant, leave it 20 to 30 minutes to skin over, and youre ready for tile. As a standalone system, I tend to use them for small areas like tub surrounds and other places where a superflat surface and a uniform layer of thinset are paramount under small mosaic tile, for example, where excess mortar would squeeze up through the gaps. While not the best option for DIYers, they are the most durable and versatile barrier, with the best crack-isolation properties and best permeance ratings (see Perm ratings,below), and I recommend them highly for pros skilled in the tile trade. HYDRO BARRIER LA is a single component liquid-applied self-curing flexible rubberized polymer, which can be easily applied to form a flexible, joint-free, anti-fracture waterproofed membrane. The biggest one is how you waterproof the seams. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. It helps to use a pretty viscous thinset mix. Manufacturers provide detailed instructions on proper use, so read them carefully. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. I want my shower-tile substrates to perform at 2 perms or less overallideally closer to 1 perm. Mat is engineered to permit maximum load transfer to structural deck while allowing lateral flow of infiltrated water to flow easily to drains. x 16 ft. 5 in. 4 Shower Waterproofing systems for tile showers, Laticrete Hydroban liquid waterproofing: 1.247 perms (2 coats, each 15-22 mils thick), Schluter Kerdi Waterproofing fabric: 0.75 perms. Between the parts and over the seams goes a liquid-applied elastomeric sealant, creating a fully waterproof substrate with an excellent factory warranty. When we talk about a waterproof shower, we mean that no water gets through the substrate, keeping your house dry and healthy for decades. SHEET MEMBRANE is unbeatable. We never compromise when crafting innovative products that protect homes, hotels, condominiums and luxury yachts from leaks, ponding water and tile assembly failures. Wall panels get a bead of sealant in the joints also. A mud pan for a shower is a custom shower base that is sloped to the drain using a cement and sand mixture. These are also applied with thinset. Different foamboard systems require different fasteners, some with washers attached and others using specialized screws only. overlaps. They require 100% thinset contact in every joint. x 4 mil Underlayment Waterproofing Strip, Durabase WP 4.72 in.