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Trouble with Schluter Kerdi Showe System

12K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  lifeisadimensio 
#1 ·
Good Afternoon All,

I am in a bit of a bind and I am looking for some information before I call Schluter directly.

I have been remodeling my bathroom and planned on doing a shower with a tile pan. After considering my options, I decided to go with the Schluter Shower system, including Schluter Kerdi, pan, etc. I thought I had done all my research and knew what I was doing (dangerous, I know), but I accidentally installed the Kerdi with Modified thin-set instead of UNmodified thin-set as Schluter recommends.

I have of course realized this at the end of the Kerdi install. So, it's been sitting for about 2 days now, and I am trying to figure out if I need to rip everything out and start over or not. The Kerdi has been installed over Durock throughout the entire shower, except for where the Kerdi was installed on the polystyrene pan. However, the pan instelf was installed over Durock with Modified thin-set as well.

I am at a loss for what to do. Do I rip everything out and start over?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nick
 
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#2 ·
You should be fine. Schluter says use unmodified because the composition of their products keeps modified products from drying correctly. They will dry, but will take a longer to do so since the moisture can't evaporate as quickly. Give it a few days before you tile it to be safe. If is seems well bonded, no loose or wet spots, you should be fine.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Sorry, but I am an amateur at this, so I need to make sure I understand. Did you mean that modified thinset will work, but take longer than un-modified to dry (because it contains latex)?

I intend to use 12x12" ceramic tile, making drying time much longer? (Any recommendation on drying time?)

Also, may I use modified between Hardiebacker and Schluter kerdi, as long as I use un-modified between Schluter kerdi and the tile? My understanding is that Schluter kerdi is OK with this and Hardiebacker requires modified. Is that correct?
 
#5 ·
Actually the modified thinset WELL dry correctly but it will take longer than if modified was used.
Don't know how I screwed that up. For some reason I can no longer edit my posts so let's do this...

Actually the modified thinset WILL dry correctly but it will take longer than if UNmodified was used.
That's what I meant to say.

I intend to use 12x12" ceramic tile, making drying time much longer? (Any recommendation on drying time?)
No real way to know, depends on site conditions.:)

may I use modified between Hardiebacker and Schluter kerdi,
Yes.
 
#6 ·
For cost and desired waterproofing reasons, I am considering using RedGard waterproofing similar to the way Schluter Kerdie is used, i.e., under the thinset mortar for the tile on both the walls and floor of a shower, but with an inexpensive 3 piece (Oatey) drain, not a Schluter drain:

Should I use tar paper or similar on the sub-floor?

Must I still use a pan liner between pre-slope and slope layers, e.g., another waterproofing layer of RedGard? Without it what do I do with the drain's weep holes other than keep them from clogging the drain?

Must I use dry pack "mud" for the pre-slope or would a polystyrene slope work as well? (I read elsewhere that a polystyrene slope, e.g., Schluter's, will only last 10 to 15 years, whereas the mud will last as long as I live, if done right. Is that correct?)

Must I use dry pack "mud" for the slope, or, for example, could I use hardiebacker on thinset with its joints filled with thinset and fiberglass tape, to build floor thickness from the pre-slope up to the drain grate and tile level?

Thanks.
 
#7 ·
You are trying to re-invent the wheel - good luck with that!.

The details for building a mud-pack type shower floor with vinyl liner are available on the Internet and the method is clear.

The details for building a Schluter shower are on the Internet and the method is clear.

None of the acceptable methods call for using a liquid waterproofing only with the exception of Laticrete's method and those details are also available on the Internet.
 
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