Waterproofing Walls for Neo Angle Shower Using Wedi Board

**DanMcD** · 10-21-2012, 04:43 AM

Im looking for the correct procedures to water proof the walls up against my neo angle shower pan and also waterproof the walls themselves for tiling. I will be using a 38 inch Swanstone Solid surface Neo Angle shower pan and ceramic tiles.

Does the Wedi Board go over the shower pan lip...leaving a 1/4 gap for slicone caulk? How do I do this correctly?

Another area of concern is the two corners where the Swanstone shower pan ends meets the walls on the left and right sides. Keeping these areas water tight seems like a challenge. Not sure how to do it.

Lastly, is Wedi Board strong enough for a person to lean on the walls after it is tiled? I plan to put the Wedi board right on the studs, if that is allowed. Wedi board looks sort of lightweight but it may be strong when a person pushes on it, but I'm not sure.

**jadnashua** · 10-21-2012, 05:01 AM

Wediboard comes in various thicknesses, and if you choose one approved for use on a wall, you should be okay. Thinsetting the tile to it stiffens up the assembly considerably, but you still need to start with a reasonable thickness. You wouldn't want their thinnest board, unsupported on a wall. You'd want it to lap over the tiling flange. You could notch the back of it so that it lays flat over the flange.

**johnfrwhipple** · 10-21-2012, 05:14 AM

I do not like much flex at all in my backer boards. It is a scary thing when you need to remove and re set a tile in a tile project. This is the main reason I dislike Kerdi Board so much.

Not sure the flex on Wedi Board but I would bring a couple of scrap 2"x4" 's with you to the supply yard and check.

Place the 2"x4" 's on the floor on 16" centers and put the Wedi Board on top. Press in the middle with a little force. What Happens?

Wedi Board is rated for floor use I believe and Kerdi Board is not. It may be stiffer...

Building your shower is not an "Easy" thing at all. You can do it but it's work. At the end of the day I'm tired. I have been Humping Backer Board, Mortar, Tile and on and on.

If you want this build to be easy - hire someone else to build it.

If you want the walls to be strong - insure your framing is no more than 16" on centers. 12" is better. Use concrete board and then apply a topical waterproofing system.

Some Kerdi over cement board will be stronger than Wedi Board I'm sure. Then you could use Kerdi and Kerdi Fix to seal the wall tile to the shower base.

If you use Noble Company's Wall Seal you can apply it over cement board as well with thinset (any) or Noble's EXT - then seal a flap to the shower base with Noble Sealant 150.

I recently order a seaming tape for JAeger's (Wedi) membrane and have yet to try it. I'm told by my supplier of Proline Linear drains that it makes an instant waterproof seal! I'm still looking for time to play with this but this might be a good option for you if you use Wedi Board. Wedi also makes a sheet membrane so I'm sure you could order a few feet and cut some strips for this flashing detail.

Something like this makes a water tight seal.

Kerdi Board seal to the base with Kerdi Band and Kerdi Fix.

Denshield sealed to a tub deck with Kerdi Band and Kerdi Fix. I then covered the entire project with a liquid waterproofing membrane.

JW

**DanMcD** · 10-21-2012, 05:29 AM

Thanks. Nice pics too!

I sure like the idea of some type of rockboard (or similar) then Wedi over that....but I think that would makde the wall too thick since this is a remodeling job.

You are right....I'm better offf hiring a pro to do this part of the job.

Dan

**johnfrwhipple** · 10-21-2012, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by DanMcD

Thanks. Nice pics too!

I sure like the idea of some type of rockboard (or similar) then Wedi over that....but I think that would makde the wall too thick since this is a remodeling job.

You are right....I'm better offf hiring a pro to do this part of the job.

Dan

Dan if you really need to save room you can install plywood between your wall studs (3/4" thick) and then use a 1/4" backer board and waterproofing.

Hardi Backer is approved at 1/4" thick over 16" wall stud centers but like Kerdi Board this step is silly. It relies on the tile and thinset for strength in the wall. I would never do this.

To be a little crude you have to ask yourself. If a couple is getting busy in a shower and the lady is leaning against the back wall - can that wall take a pounding? In my twenty's my girlfriends wall could not and we had a large hole in the shower wall one Friday night. My apprentice's sister's boyfriend sister had the same thing happen two weeks back (she told her Mom her boyfriend 'Slipped' in the shower).

If your alone a you fall - will you go through?

If you don't go through you can flex the wall and crack the grout.

A shower wall should be strong. One day you might want to install grab bars so adding blocking all the way around the shower will go a long way in making the shower stronger and safer.

JW