Kerdi Membrane

[DanMcD]

Do most plumbers install Kerdi membranes before tiling shower/bath walls or even behind solid surface and fiberglass walls?

Dan McD

[Cookie]

I did, I did it myself, bath walls.
But, I am NOT a plumber nor do I ever want to be a plumber.

[Inspektor Ludwig]

I don't think plumbers install the membranes ( I know I don't). They install the drain bodies but after that it's up to a tile guy or gal.

[jadnashua]

The only time Kerdi makes sense is if you are going to tile the shower. It makes no sense using it behind a premade panel. It's a very good system, and by system that means you need to use all of the various parts, the primary one includes the drain. The plumber should be able to install the drain, but the location and level is critical on the drain since it has such a large diameter - a little error in plumb will make the edge stick up and look really funky. Since the drain is plastic, it needs to be supported well without any tension on it by the shower pan's deck mud (or the foam pre-sloped pan). This bond isn't super strong, so if the drain isn't level, you'll have problems.

If you want a lot of discussion about Kerdi showers, check out www.johnbridge.com or review the product at www.schluter.com. I've remodeled only two bathrooms, and used it in both. Like it.