3 Tips For The Schluter®-Shower System | JLC Online

Read article : 3 Tips For The Schluter®-Shower System | JLC Online

Any tile system must be installed in conjunction with a waterproofing system that effectively manages moisture and prevents mold growth. The Schluter®-Shower System is an integrated family of products that together form a fully bonded, watertight assembly for tiled showers. The Schluter®-Shower System eliminates the risk of failures due to water and vapor penetration and dramatically reduces total installation time.

If you’re including the Schluter®-Shower System in a bathroom renovation, here are 3 proven installation tips.

Tip 1: Cutting Trays, Curbs & Benches

Prefabricated shower substrates such as trays, curbs, and benches are ideal solutions for including mortar-free components in any tiled shower. But what if your client has a smaller shower? These prefabricated shower substrates can be cut to size to fit nearly any shower application.

Here’s how:

• For the shower tray, you can use a utility knife to cut to size. Keep in mind that because the tray is sloped, when you cut it, the perimeter will be thinner. Ideally, cut the tray by equal amounts on all sides—this will keep the height consistent and help ensure an even elevation for the first course of wall tile.
• The shower curb and bench are both much thicker, so the best approach is to use a hand saw if you need to trim these down in size. Make sure to use a sharp blade, and take the time to draw a square line on the curb or bench to ensure a straight, clean cut. You can cut the curb to height by using a hand saw as well.

Tip 2: Minimizing Build-Up At Inside Shower Corners

Build-up at inside shower corners can be particularly challenging when setting small tiles on the shower base or walls. To avoid this, start by installing the Schluter-KERDI-KERECK preformed corners.

Next, measure and cut sections of KERDI-BAND waterproofing strips to seal the areas between corners. Keep in mind that a 2” overlap can be achieved without continuing KERDI-BAND all the way into the corner of the shower.

As an extra tip, crease the KERDI-BAND before installation to help maintain tight corners and make subsequent tile setting as simple as possible.

Tip 3: How To Seal Schluter®-KERDI Seams

When waterproofing your shower with the KERDI membrane, it’s important to make sure to seal all seams that are created when installing adjacent sheets of the membrane. This will help ensure the waterproof integrity of your shower.

There are two ways to do this. Here’s how:

• KERDI sheets may be joined using a lap seam. This approach allows you to combine membrane installation and joint sealing in one step. Make sure that the second sheet of KERDI membrane overlaps the first by at least 2”—you can make sure this is accomplished by marking the sheet 2” from the edge.
• Alternatively, KERDI sheets may be butted and covered with KERDI-BAND waterproofing strips. Since KERDI-BAND is half the thickness of KERDI, build-up at seams is minimized using this method. You can center the 5”-wide KERDI-BAND at the center of the joint to ensure that the required 2” overlap is respected, with a little wiggle room to spare.

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