Does the Tile Redi shower pan product work?

[Santa Cruz Remodel]

Wondering if anyone out there has used the Tile Redi product before? Good/bad? I tend to prefer older methods for my projects when possible, but this seems like it would save an awful lot of work, and has a lifetime warranty.

A link so you can take a look:

http://www.tileredi.com/


Thanks,
Darren

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[jdm]

I'm a DIY, and I took a look.

Four things caught my eye.

One is that the unit comes with Laticrete Latapoxy 300 epoxy thinset. I've never used it, but I suspect that it is trickier to use than regular thinset. Any who's used Latapoxy care to comment.

Two is that while the unit is guaranteed to be waterproof, the instructions call for using drywall as the tile substrate for the shower walls. Obviously, that is not a good idea.

Three is that there is no flange arount the top edges of the unit to go behind the tile substrate and help stop leaks at the junction of the pan and the tile substrate.

Four is that the instructions first direct that adhesive should be spread on the floor where the unit is to be placed and that care must be used to ensure that the adhesive will contact the entire bottom surface of the unit. This implies that the unit must be solidly supported to avoid flexing. Then the instruction state to check for level in all directions, and shim if necessary. But the shims will lift the unit off of the floor, resulting in uneven support.

Food for thought.

I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say about this product.

[Rob Z]

Darren

I doubt I would ever use that product, but if I did I would set the entire thing in a bed of fat mud , just the same as with any other shower base.

The epoxy is a bit tricky, expecially since it has a relatively short pot life compared to thinset. I hope they send enough because if you run out the minimum size unit of latapoxy is quite spendy.

To solve the wall substrate/shower base connection I would use a sheet membrane such as Noble TS on the walls and run it over the vertical part of the Tile Redi base, and bond it with epoxy. Kerdi may be bondable with epoxy, but I don't know.

[Santa Cruz Remodel]

I had never heard of Kerdi before I discovered this site, but then I am a DIY.

It would appear that everyone is having success with kerdi though, is that safe to say?

I can still remember my great grandma's shower...has worked for 80 years and going with no problems...and nothing but concrete, tar paper, wood and tile.