Walk-in Shower in New Slab Home

[run2jeepn]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I have some 1in think sheet of packing foam. Thats roughly 4ftx4ft. I might cut it and put it under some plywood. If I lay the floor first. I do have 10ft ceilings so a will definitely need a ladder.

If I do trim the tray. Whats the best way to cut it?

Any issue using this stuff for the schluter tray to the floor and to use it for the Kerdi band?

[ss3964spd]

Is the tray you purchased the same size as foot print of the shower? Will your drain be centered in the drain opening of the pan?

Easiest way to trim the pan is to use a straight edge and a razor blade knife. If possible you'd want to trim the pan by the same amount on all 4 sides to maintain a uniform pan thickness around its perimeter.

At first thought I would be disinclined to use that large and heavy tile mortar. Those type of mortars may use a larger aggregate, which may cause more mortar build up between your GB and the band, as well as the pre-formed corners and the pan. Kerdi to Kerdi water proofing works because of the interface of the fleece, and too much mortar between the two layers would allow moisture to soak into the mortar. I believe Schluter's Kerdi installation instructions mentions to mix the mortar a little lose to help preserve the fleece to fleece contact. As far as I know Go Board doesn't have the fleece which, in my mind, will make adhering the Kerdi band to the GB with a minimum of mortar build up more important.

[cx]

I would not use that particular mortar, Jarod. If you want a MAPEI mortar, and if you want to stay with an un-modified mortar, find some Kerabond. One of the best u-modified mortars out there.

I personally would use a modified thinset mortar both for bonding the foam tray to the subfloor and for installing the KerdiBand.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[run2jeepn]

Is the tray you purchased the same size as foot print of the shower? Will your drain be centered in the drain opening of the pan?

Easiest way to trim the pan is to use a straight edge and a razor blade knife. If possible you'd want to trim the pan by the same amount on all 4 sides to maintain a uniform pan thickness around its perimeter.

At first thought I would be disinclined to use that large and heavy tile mortar. Those type of mortars may use a larger aggregate, which may cause more mortar build up between your GB and the band, as well as the pre-formed corners and the pan. Kerdi to Kerdi water proofing works because of the interface of the fleece, and too much mortar between the two layers would allow moisture to soak into the mortar. I believe Schluter's Kerdi installation instructions mentions to mix the mortar a little lose to help preserve the fleece to fleece contact. As far as I know Go Board doesn't have the fleece which, in my mind, will make adhering the Kerdi band to the GB with a minimum of mortar build up more important.
__________________
Dan

Ya the tray is the exact size and drain is center.

I would not use that particular mortar, Jarod. If you want a MAPEI mortar, and if you want to stay with an un-modified mortar, find some Kerabond. One of the best u-modified mortars out there.

I personally would use a modified thinset mortar both for bonding the foam tray to the subfloor and for installing the KerdiBand.

My opinion; worth price charged.

Well I already set my pan and drain. I have an unopened bag left I'll take back and get the Kerabond for the Kerdi Band. I didn't get that far yet. A few guys on Facebook recommended what I got. But Yesterday I saw someone post up that Kerabond as well.

[run2jeepn]

Started Hanging my GoBoard. Will be applying the KerdiBand around the base soon. I left a 1/8in gap between the pan and the GoBoard. Going to fill that gap with OSI Quad Max sealant.

All my edges and seams are covered in Mesh Tap and OSI Quad Max Sealant.

Plan is to use the Mapei Uncoupling Compound to attach the KerdiBand to the Kerdi pan. The Attach top half to the GoBoard with OSI Quad Max sealant. Then a few coats of Mapei liquid membrane.

The Corners of the shower already have OSI Quad Max sealant on every edge while I installed the walls. Then ran a bead once they were all up. Then I'm using a Banding Fabric that's meant to be used with liquid membranes I found on Amazon. I've used it a little already and it worked really well. Really soaks up the liquid Membrane and bonds well to the GoBaord. That will be my corners.

I tried that Banding fabric with OSI Quad Max sealant, but the sealant is too thick and sticky to work with it. The sealant wouldn't soak into the Fabric. Anytime I tried to work it in it would just push the fabric around. So that was a no go.

[run2jeepn]

I would not use that particular mortar, Jarod. If you want a MAPEI mortar, and if you want to stay with an un-modified mortar, find some Kerabond. One of the best u-modified mortars out there.

I personally would use a modified thinset mortar both for bonding the foam tray to the subfloor and for installing the KerdiBand.

My opinion; worth price charged.
__________________
CX

I searched every store around and could not find KeraBond any where in stock.


Another question I have is Mapei Ultracolor plus FA good to use on the Shower Floor by itself? It doesn't need a sealant correct?

[ss3964spd]

The Ultracolor plus FA will be fine for the shower floor. Mapei does say it doesn't require a sealant, but don't construe that to mean it repels, or won't absorb, water. It doesn't, and will.

I used it on the main floor of a bathroom, really like it.

[run2jeepn]

Should I seal it to be on the safe side?


I pulled off the 2 different banding Materials off the GoBoard. The Best bonding combo on the GoBoard was by FAR the Mapei Liquid Membrane with the Amazon Fabric. When I pulled it off the GoBoard it took a layer of the GoBoard with it.

When I pulled the KerdiBand with just OSI Quad Max. The Sealant just stretched and pulled apart. Leaving Sealant on both Kerdi Band and GoBoard. Neither the Goboard or Kerdi Band was damaged. Which Good sign as well. Means the OSI Quad Max Sealant bonded well enough not to come off either surface.

This the Amazon Membrane Fabric I have.

[ss3964spd]

You can seal the FA if you want, Jarod, but doing so won't make it "water proof", if that's your goal.

[run2jeepn]

Ya thats my goal. Guessing I should use an expoxy grout then for the shower floor.

[cx]

Can if you want, Jared, but I wouldn't. A cementitious grout with no kind of sealer is what I would want on any shower floor.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[run2jeepn]

@CX - I've never done a Shower Floor. I did the Shower walls on my Tub and I used Mapei Ultracolor plus FA. Would it be fine for my Shower Floor?


@CX - I also can't find Kerabond, but I can order Kerdi ALL-set through Lowes and have it here tomorrow. I can use it for my Kerdi Band and for the Floor tile correct?

[cx]

Yes.

Yes.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[run2jeepn]

Well I flood tested my shower. Didn't lose any water, but I only tested for 18hrs.

Should I have done it longer?

[ss3964spd]

The generally cited minimum is 24 hours for a flood test, Jared. Up to you, of course, if 18 hours is acceptable.