The Kerdi Shower Book

[tape002]

I've never worked with mud or have remodeled any showers yet, but am very excited about doing so. A buddy said he would she me how he does the showers. Just recently I ran into this great site and have been reading about this kerdi shower. I haven't purchased the book yet, but I think I just might have to, seems like a good way to go. Im all about good work.

Jeff

[Consolidated Tile Guy]

I was told that all the pictures are in blacnk and white is this true??? color would be awsome........ thats the only thing holding me back from buying it/

[John Bridge]

Hi Jeff,

I'm all about good work, too. I have the training to build showers every way they can be built, and I choose the Kerdi way.

Guy,

Somebody lied to you. All lies.

The Kerdi Shower Book contains all color photos. (How the heck does one take black and white these days?) The book is in Adobe PDF. Furthermore, we have established a special web location for purchasers of the book. On it we have posted the original full-size copies of the illustrations for those who might need close-up shots. From time to time we post other Kerdi tidbits on that site. Soon, I'll post pictures of a Kerdi lined tile bathtub. That job is currently being done way up in Maine by my friend Jim Carlin.

I think it's an excellent value. If I didn't know what I know I would certianly buy it.

[jdm]

How did Jim solve the Kerdi-Drain/closing drain conundrum?

[John Bridge]

Nothing secret about that. You connect an elbow under the drain and run it to the overflow just like in a regular bathtub. You use the lever and "barrell" type stopper in the overflow (which goes straight down to the trap). The first guy I know who did that is Jerry the Tile Guy (JTG) in Seattle. It works and it's code.

Oh, you do have to reduce to 1-1/2 inches under the Kerdi-drain. 1-1/2 in. is a standard tub drain. I would use a flush bushing in the drain itself. I'll have to ask Jim exactly which fittings he used.

[jdm]

Makes sense.

I thought there was a problem related to closing Kerdi-Drains for which Schluter was trying to build a special drain

.

[John Bridge]

Schluter has no problem with how the drain is used as long as it's "code." In fact, the company is more open to innovation than most. If you come up with a creative way to use a product, great, as long as it complies with specs and building codes.

They did come out with a tub drain that is currently handmade by a guy in Italy. The drain sells for around $400. Ask me if I've ever used one.

No, don't.

[elsieCat]

Hi--I'm working up the courage to do a Kerdi shower, since we can't find any good tile people around us who aren't booked for the next 5 years...

So I've read that curbs and halfwalls should be slightly graded inside so as to send any water in to the drain--I'm wondering if the Kerdi curbs are graded that way--I watched the installation video and didn't see any reference made to this. If they are not, should I put a slight bit more thinset under the outside of the curb to slant it in?

And are the curbs cuttable the *long* way, to make them thinner? I know that in Tile your World, you say that thinner curbs are more aesthetically pleasing--I agree with you and I'm wondering if we could "rip" a pre-made curb to create that kind of look.

Thanks in advance!

[John Bridge]

Hi Elsie,

Yes and yes.

Tilt the tiles very slightly on top of the curb by buttering with thin set. The idea is not that water will come crashing off the curb but that water won't collect at the shower door or run out onto the bath floor.

The curbs can be cut any way you want to cut them. I don't know how strong a Kerdi curb would be ripped in half, though. You might want to call the Schluter help line on that one.

[elsieCat]

Hi John, thanks so much for your fast reply! By yes and yes, which questions do you mean, since I actually asked 3? Is the Kerdi curb slanted slightly? I understand that I should butter the thinset a bit unevenly so as to create a slight slope.

I'll call Schluter and ask about ripping the curb. So you've never done it when you do a Kerdi shower? Since you like the thinner profile, do you use your own curbs?

Much appreciated. We have both your books and are trying to memorize them!

[John Bridge]

No, the foam curbs are not tilted. Neither are the bricks or 2x4s that I use.

I like to use a single 2x4 over wood subfloors. I screw that baby down by angling screws into the floor. I've been using drywall to cover the 3x4. I'm thiking about switching over to half-inch Hardibacker simply because it will withstand more abuse during the course of construction and before the curb is covered with tile.

Over concrete floors I use bricks, as stated in the ebook.

Speaking of the foam curbs, I would be afraid to rip them down more than a little. They might not be rigid enough if ripped in half, for example.

[Pheday]

John,

I tore out a 30 year old shower stall from a 2nd story townhouse bathroom roughly 32" x 60". I need to build a bench to get around the copper piping so I googled "shower bench" and came across your book and the Kerdi Shower System. Appears to be a great system by all means. So, I was thinking of downloading your book and learning all about it. Then I found and downloaded the 7 page sample of your book with the "quality brewskis" section on page 55 (duly noted) in the table of contents. Caught me off guard at first and then I realized that I typically don't trust poeple who don't drink anyways. To make a long story short, you gained instant credibility with me and I downloaded the book. I am looking forward to a nice new shower in the near future. Thanks, Greg from California.

[John Bridge]

Thanks, Greg. You're tellin' me my bad habits are finally starting to pay off?

[Joe T]

I definitly have to download your book now!!! Quality brews!!! I brew my own on occasion....except my ex gave most of my equipment away afte the devorce....but that's a different story. Happy tilling....and beer drinking!!

Joe T

[John Bridge]

I don't brew my own, Joe, but I'll drink yours.