Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
FWIW, the mesh tape and thinset on the joints of CBU are to tie the sheets together to approximate (as close as possible) a mudded, monolithic wall - it isn't really for sealing things. You don't need it between the bottom edge of the walls and the pan if that area is blocked well - read the installation instructions.
IF you are going to use something like RedGard on it, the mesh and thinset must be done first and allowed to cure before you add the RedGard. Otherwise, you may just want to do it as you tile. Unlike drywall, you do NOT want your seam to end up with any hump, commonly used to hide the tape or mesh on the seam...you really want it nice and flat. Tiling over speedbumps is a major pain!
Personally, RedGard is okay for a wall or say around a niche, but I prefer other methods. I think the average DIY'er will have trouble getting the proper thickness of the layers when it is used for waterproofing and avoiding thin spots or pinholes. While not expensive, most do not buy and use the wet thickness gauge. The stuff MUST be applied at the right thickness, and no, thicker is not better! The thickness must be between the min/max stated in the instructions or you might as well not install it in the first place.
IF you are going to use something like RedGard on it, the mesh and thinset must be done first and allowed to cure before you add the RedGard. Otherwise, you may just want to do it as you tile. Unlike drywall, you do NOT want your seam to end up with any hump, commonly used to hide the tape or mesh on the seam...you really want it nice and flat. Tiling over speedbumps is a major pain!
Personally, RedGard is okay for a wall or say around a niche, but I prefer other methods. I think the average DIY'er will have trouble getting the proper thickness of the layers when it is used for waterproofing and avoiding thin spots or pinholes. While not expensive, most do not buy and use the wet thickness gauge. The stuff MUST be applied at the right thickness, and no, thicker is not better! The thickness must be between the min/max stated in the instructions or you might as well not install it in the first place.