Marc's Master Bath Redo

[presidentsdad]

Hey all...tiled the back/sides of my shower niche and left room on the upper shelf part (two back to back tiles resting on the side tiles) to attach a decorative piece of tile to the front on the exposed tile edge. Is there any reason I cannot use thinset and tape to hold it in place while the thinset dries? I added a pic of what I'm talking about.

[dhagin]

We all use tape to hold stuff in place. If you mix the mortar just right (read pretty stiff) it may hold all by itself.

[presidentsdad]

Tape is a given. My question was will thinset allow tile to attach to tile?

[Houston Remodeler]

not all thinsets but some do. Check the label.

[Houston Remodeler]

Tape?

[presidentsdad]

Yep...tape!

[presidentsdad]

After doing some research on the 'net I have determined that I need to use lightly modified thin set to do this. I'll attach these pieces when I put the ditra on the plywood floor then.

[presidentsdad]

Hey guys (and gals) I'm about to start grouting and have decided on an unsanded grout for my mosaic tile and a sanded grout for the rest. What are your opinions regarding Laticrete vs. Custom Building Products? I was thinking of using Laticrete 1500/1600 with the 1776 additive. Any pros/cons of either?

Seems like on the board here that most people have issues with CBP unsanded, but maybe not the sanded. Your input is very much appreciated.

[dhagin]

I've had good luck with Laticrete sanded + 1776. Other pro's here have had no problems with Customs grouts... Technique is infinitely more important than which of these you choose IMO. You'd be well served getting a premium grout like Laticrete Permacolor or eq.

What mosaic tile do you have? Size & spacing? Glass or soft stone? Got photos? I looked back in your thread a ways, maybe i missed it.

[presidentsdad]

Glass and soft stone. There's a little slice of it a few posts up.

[presidentsdad]

One question for the group. I plugged the drain and poured about 20 gallons of water in the pan (single layer sloped mud bed with a kerdi topper) and it came up about 2" above the juncture between the floor and the wall. I checked this morning (about 14 hrs in) and it is somewhat lower than the original level, but I cannot see ANY evidence of leaks in the ceiling directly below the shower or in other parts of the first floor. Is it possible it's going down the drain? If it isn't how would I determine where it is leaking? I've attached a pic of the shower floor.

[bbcamp]

Yes, it's possible that the water is leaking by the plug. Pull it, reset it and retest.

[presidentsdad]

OK, but how will I know???? I cranked the plug all the way down to the end (of the wingnut travel). I see absolutely zero evidence a leak below the pan (which is the ceiling of my living room).

[lyonkster]

How much water did you lose? 1/16"? 1/8"? 1/2"? If it only leaked a little, you may not see it on the ceiling below, but would still be leaking.

[presidentsdad]

I didn't measure, but I'd estimate 1/4-1/2"