Tiling in a Shower

[Todd.Brock]

My buddy has a bathroom in his garage upstairs that is getting redone. The old work which was a mix of wonder board and greenboard, had no vapor barrier.

He is putting in a new bathtub and using hardi backer, then tiling over that. He has been reading that some type of vapor barrier is now required. It makes sense, but what does everyone here use? he mentioned Kerdi, plastic sheeting, roofing felt, red guard- some type of roll on stuff , etc.


What say you All? Barrier or no ?


Thanks!

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Kerdi Board! I just finished a complete bathroom reno, and used it. Wonderful product. DVD videos on youtube!

 

[Todd.Brock]

Did you use Ditra on the floor? I'm still not sold on that stuff. I do like that it's really thin and won't jack up the floor real far

 

[Sovereign-1]

My first bathroom I used plastic sheeting. Next time I plan to use Laticrete Hydroban. Kerdi is good but has a bit of a learning curve and as I will rarely do this, the hydroban seems an easier choice for an ameteur homeowner.

 

[Dakota00]

Did you use Ditra on the floor? I'm still not sold on that stuff. I do like that it's really thin and won't jack up the floor real far

Ditra works great!! I usually use Kerdi in the tub and shower surrounds, but some jobs I have used Mapei AquaDefense, which is similar to Laticrete Hydroban. Works extremely well, I never had an issue with water penetrating the skin.

 

[stage20]

I use red gaurd or c cure in my residential showers. Brush the corners roll the wall. Its thin and messy. Don't let it splatter anywhere.

 

[Todd.Brock]

So instead of plastic sheeting behind the backer board, you use hydroban, red guard, etc on the front of backer and then you put the tile up?

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Red-guard is fine to use. Easy and inexpensive.

Kerdi is probably better but it is very pricey. I am currently using it in a commercial tile job I took on and it has almost doubled what I would normally quote. I just don't trust it though, especially over plain sheetrock in a shower as Schluter Systems recommends. I still use PVC matting, poly, cement board, and red-guard before I'll apply the kerdi product. Over kill for sure, but I don't want any call backs because my tile job has leaked into the unit down stairs.

Now the Schluter System matting for tiled floors is top notch.

 

[Todd.Brock]

This is just a tub surround. I'm trying to figure out where the red guard fits in with the mix. If there is a vapor barrier, 1//" hardi backer, then red guard or whatever, then tile. I have seen Kerdi going over regular drywall , but It seems if the tub caulk joint fails, then water will still wick up.

 

[stage20]

This is just a tub surround. I'm trying to figure out where the red guard fits in with the mix. If there is a vapor barrier, 1//" hardi backer, then red guard or whatever, then tile. I have seen Kerdi going over regular drywall , but It seems if the tub caulk joint fails, then water will still wick up.

tub surround as in bath only or is it a bath/shower combo?

if there is no shower and its just a garden tub, you dont need to get too crazy with the water proofing if you are already using backer board.

builders are getting so cheap around here they use purple drywall. red gaurd over it and start stacking tiles. it passes code here in florida. i dont give warranty on those jobs. crazy what they do to make a few extra bucks on a house.

 

[shoot summ]

I use felt paper, then cement board. I only use redgaurd around niches or shower seats.

 

[cleveman]

One isn't supposed to use a vapor barrier such as plastic, then a tilebacker with a liquid membrane on it because then the tilebacker can't dry out if it becomes wet somehow. So skip the vapor barrier against the studs and just use a tilebacker, then a liquid waterproofer like aquadefence, hydroban, or red guard. You can also use densshield and just waterproof the joints and fastener spots.