Do I need to use RedGard?

47469 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by sukhenkoi, Apr 28, 2011

sukhenkoi

Discussion Starter · Apr 27, 2011

Hi,

I am remodeling my bathroom. I am putting new floor, tub, toilet, walls, etc. My shower base is acrylic pane and tub is Americast.
For the floor I am going to use Durock Cement boards, versabond thinset mortar and 6x6 porcelain tile.
For tub and shower surrounding walls I am going to use Durock Cement boards, tile adhesive and 6x6 ceramic tiles.
Some people suggest using RedGard Waterproofing membrane as a waterproofing barrier, but one employee in a Home Depot tile department told me that if I use Durock Cement boards I don't need RedGard. He said he had a lot of experience with tiles.

My questions:
Do I really need to apply RedGard Waterproofing membrane on top of Durock Cement boards before putting tiles?
What is the difference between vapor barrier and waterproofing?

Thanks a lot.

Save

1 - 4 of 6 Posts

sukhenkoi

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 27, 2011

Thanks.
First, I understand that I don't need to apply RerGard on the floor at all because unless some accident happens water is not going to touch the floor.
Second, I will apply RedGard on the shower walls and left over from the shower on the tub surrounding walls
Third, I'll check what kind of "tile adhesive" I got from HD.
Fourth, yes, this is from the same guy who told me that I don't need Redgard.

Thanks again.

Save

sukhenkoi

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 27, 2011

Blondesense said:
Also, what kind of "tile adhesive" did HD sell you? And is this from the same guy who told you you don't need Redgard?

I got Simplset "Stone, Percelain & Ceramic Tile Thin-Set Mortar" from HD for tiling tub and shower surrounding walls. Btw, it was recommended by the same guy. Some other HD employees recommended me to use "AcrylPro Ceramic Tile Adhesive", but that guy told me that it was not good for bathroom walls.

Now, here is why I ask about RedGard.

To remodel my bathroom first I demolished all tiled walls. Surprisingly, I found that contractors used just regular drywall (with tile adhesive and ceramic tiles) as tub and shower surrounding walls. No RedGard or any kind of waterproofing membrane.
My townhouse is 25 years old. We moved in 12 years ago and since then my wife used shower cabin and I used tub to take a shower every single day. Now is the biggest surprise. I had to use a hummer and a chisel to remove tiles and destroy walls because tiles and drywall were in a perfect like new condition. No sign of any water damage at all. This is why I have some doubts about necessity of RedGard.

I know that many experts and professionals won't like it and will say this is crazy.

I am not making any statements, I am just telling what I found.

See less See more

Save

sukhenkoi

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 28, 2011

Thanks a lot for the information. I already got the Redgard from HD so I'll probably apply it on Durock before putting tiles.

Save

1 - 4 of 6 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month