Hi as the title of this thread states, I am preparing to install Kerdi on my bathtub surround and I have a couple of questions for the more knowledgeable and experienced folks.
1) http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95912736&albumID=2044075&imageID=27785465
This photo URL shows the Denshield backer board around the bathtub surround and I guess my first generic Kerdi question is related to the need to tape my joints on the Denshield backer boards. The Denshield installation instructions say to install a mesh tape between the boards and to thinset these joints. But since I am installing Kerdi, I am thinking that I do not need to install the mesh tape. I will basically thinset my corners first, installing Kerdi bands in these corners, then thinset the Denshield sheets and follow up by installing the Kerdi. Am I good to go with these steps? Anyone think I am making a mistake to skip the mesh tape on the Denshield step here?
2) http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95912736&albumID=2044075&imageID=27785476
Originally I was planning on installing the Kerdi+Tiles on only the Denshield backer boards. But on this side of the bathtub I am now thinking of extending the Kerdi+Tile a little further (roughly an additional 6" or so beyond the bathtub) from the floor to the ceiling and I will use vertical strip of Schluter-SCHIENE edging to separate the drywall wall transition to the Tiled bathtub surround. I am thinking of extending the tiles because I think I can do a slightly better job water proofing the bathtub by extending the use of Kerdi. Now I do believe the Thinset+Kerdi will adhere to my drywall, but what about if I plaster my drywall joints. Will the Thinset+Kerdi adhere to drywall mud? or should I determine extactly where my transiton is first and not bother to drywall mud the part that the Kerdi will be covering.
3) http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95912736&albumID=2044075&imageID=27785489
I wish my bathtub did not have this rounded edging seen in this closeup picture. As you can see from the photo, I have installed a small Denshield patch here, but I can not leave it as is. Water can still penetrate here if I do nothing. So should I install some silicone rubber sealant in these gaps before I do my thinset+Kerdi? I know I can silicone the vertical wall gaps between my bathtub and the walls and horizontal gaps between the bathtub and floor afterwards, but I am concerned about waterproofing this rounded curve in the bathtub. Can I silicone first, then thinset+kerdi and then if need be silicone a second time if I do not feel all warm and fuzz that I have properly water proofed my bath tub + wall transition? Or should I just do the siliconing at the end (I do believe the bottom row + corners of the tiles on my bathtub are siliconed and not grouted).
I think this is all for now. I am actually going to be taping and mudding my drywall first, then installing Ditra on my floor before I install the Kerdi on bathtub surround. But I am just trying to plan ahead here and make sure I "make it right" the first time.
Thanks in advance for all those who will reply to this thread.
1) http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95912736&albumID=2044075&imageID=27785465
This photo URL shows the Denshield backer board around the bathtub surround and I guess my first generic Kerdi question is related to the need to tape my joints on the Denshield backer boards. The Denshield installation instructions say to install a mesh tape between the boards and to thinset these joints. But since I am installing Kerdi, I am thinking that I do not need to install the mesh tape. I will basically thinset my corners first, installing Kerdi bands in these corners, then thinset the Denshield sheets and follow up by installing the Kerdi. Am I good to go with these steps? Anyone think I am making a mistake to skip the mesh tape on the Denshield step here?
2) http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95912736&albumID=2044075&imageID=27785476
Originally I was planning on installing the Kerdi+Tiles on only the Denshield backer boards. But on this side of the bathtub I am now thinking of extending the Kerdi+Tile a little further (roughly an additional 6" or so beyond the bathtub) from the floor to the ceiling and I will use vertical strip of Schluter-SCHIENE edging to separate the drywall wall transition to the Tiled bathtub surround. I am thinking of extending the tiles because I think I can do a slightly better job water proofing the bathtub by extending the use of Kerdi. Now I do believe the Thinset+Kerdi will adhere to my drywall, but what about if I plaster my drywall joints. Will the Thinset+Kerdi adhere to drywall mud? or should I determine extactly where my transiton is first and not bother to drywall mud the part that the Kerdi will be covering.
3) http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=95912736&albumID=2044075&imageID=27785489
I wish my bathtub did not have this rounded edging seen in this closeup picture. As you can see from the photo, I have installed a small Denshield patch here, but I can not leave it as is. Water can still penetrate here if I do nothing. So should I install some silicone rubber sealant in these gaps before I do my thinset+Kerdi? I know I can silicone the vertical wall gaps between my bathtub and the walls and horizontal gaps between the bathtub and floor afterwards, but I am concerned about waterproofing this rounded curve in the bathtub. Can I silicone first, then thinset+kerdi and then if need be silicone a second time if I do not feel all warm and fuzz that I have properly water proofed my bath tub + wall transition? Or should I just do the siliconing at the end (I do believe the bottom row + corners of the tiles on my bathtub are siliconed and not grouted).
I think this is all for now. I am actually going to be taping and mudding my drywall first, then installing Ditra on my floor before I install the Kerdi on bathtub surround. But I am just trying to plan ahead here and make sure I "make it right" the first time.
Thanks in advance for all those who will reply to this thread.