🤔 Cement Board Or Uncoupling membrane, choose wisely.

[@tonymazz9912]

A friend of mine who is a Tilesetter, did my home 20 years ago. He used the hardy backer board and just screwed the boards into to the plywood floor. Then installed the ceramic tile. About 1 month later..immensely loud noises occurred around 3am. I woke up and thought someone was firing a gun outside ( Yes it was that loud). I look around the kitchen and the whole floor was cracked along the grout lines and whole tiles. I told him what happened and he said " That never happened before and has done 100's of jobs with no problems. So now I know he installed it wrong and thus, ends the mystery. You have more knowledge of this business than anyone I met or saw on KZbin. Thanks for another great video and hope your doing well- Blessings.

[@Towelie4200]

U have a ghost sir 😳 😂

[@pinkiewerewolf]

You are a fountain of knowledge for us DIY types. Honestly, cable should offer you a big contract to put your videos on their channels.

[@zachrawlings6523]

Great fit for Ask This Old House! Hahah (:

[@inscrutianaII]

Don't take a thing away from how you transfer knowledge on KZbin. Make your point. Every second of this is valid & helpful and I thank you.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for that!

[@bradkeller9440]

New subscriber here. Thanks to your video I am convinced of going with a membrane decoupler and no cement backer board. You are the first to precisely describe the benefits and wisdom of using this system (in addition to the proper floor support videos, thank you). I have 2 bathrooms ripped up and have not bought the underlayment yet and I thank you for perfectly explaining what I need to do!

[@ginoasci]

when in doubt go with cement board or durock. it’ll always give you a great bonding surface.

[@kittyfruitloop8264]

Thank you for sharing all your expertise! DIYers here. Last year husband and I redid our kitchen together subfloor up with woodlook plank LVT and people say it looks like a magazine. Hoping to redo our 80s bathrooms with tile when we can afford it so I am soaking up all your videos getting ready for the big day. Thanks for explaining everything for newbs like us!

[@torchlightproductions3217]

Great video, Sal, thank you! I'm a young tile contractor in Colorado and have learned how to do basic tile installation from my dad, who is a custom home builder. Everything more complex, such as pouring a shower, installing Ditra Heat, etc. I have learned from you. I'm always open to trying new methods to get the best results. I just installed my first heated floor this week and while I must say that it's relatively labor-intensive, it's a great product that I plan to use more often. Glad to hear all of this from your perspective with your experience!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad that you found my videos helpful 😊👍

[@harpstertodd1973]

That was a more logical and thorough explanation than even the manufacturers give. All your videos are a true master class in tile work. Thank you so much for making them.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Wow, thanks!

[@jondoe8178]

For the first time ever I was happy to see a youtUbe commercial now let's get back to the haaaaddddyy baaaackkkaaa

[@sailingmollygrace4596]

Always appreciate the effort involved in these videos, thx👍 Being said, would never use any of that on a bathroom floor. I think when talking about deflection we forget most bathroom floors are 5 x 10 or less. I make sure to glue/screw down 3/4 ply & then bond the backer board. I use either of the liquid membranes available at the big box stores & waterproof the entire bathroom floor. I don’t care if an elephant stepped on that floor- it ain’t deflecting

[@vr2930]

Sal, thank you for the info you keep posting on KZbin. You are the one I go to for all info pertaining to tile install.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help

[@TS-Music-57]

Thank you Sal, I come across your videos during my research for tile installation. I've been considering using an uncoupling membrane product as you have described. Specifically for an upcoming bathroom reno. The info you have provided has given me the answer I was looking for. And I appreciate you emphasizing that one should "Follow Manufacturers directions" when using tile related install products. For that matter, that should apply when installing "Anything" in my book. Thanks for taking the time to put out the videos.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful

[@zaction10]

New Construction.. Saw a guy staple down Ditra. That’s it. I service their hvac so I need to do a “bathroom break” sometime and check how it’s holding up. Doing my addition with durock by following the manufacturer instructions. Boy you are right about the labor. But the savings was worth it to me. Hope I don’t have any regrets. Thanks for the tips, hoping for a good finished product.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@tonyp9609]

Sal, thank you for your videos.I'm older and to me the uncoupling membrane is taking the place of the cork sheets only waterproof. Makes it convenient. Great explanation, Thanks

[@fredericklegrande4564]

Watching this builds my confidence.....but still so much to learn....thank you

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help

[@darkstar18498]

As always. Good information. As a professional, I apreciate your education to the general public

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching

[@pauldhennessey]

Great video.. I've seen guys use nail guns to slam down hardiebacker dry without care to stagger seams in backer layer and over seams in the subfloor they are going over and they don't use tape over the joints. Hardie board goes down pretty quick with that method but boy oh boy what a recipe for failure.

[@neiltropolis]

I have seen this with track housing. It comes up so easy. In sheets. Should be a crime

[@cwmalone]

Always great content, Sal! Thank you

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@user-Jtube]

Tiling my kitchen floor this weekend onto t&g chipboard (uk) was in two minds about choice of tile foundation until now. Thanks for your very detailed, helpful explanation of why the decouple membrane is best 👌

[@460sw3]

I always tell my customers, if I'm already going to be spreading thinset to install cement board properly, they might as well spend the money for uncoupling membrane and put it down instead of backer board and get the bonus of uncoupling, lighter weight, and faster installation. Good video Sal!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks, cement board has become an inferior solution.

[@1330ronal]

I do tile for living dítra look like great product the problem whenever you need to do a upgrade or new floor is a headache to remove

[@michaelprata8135]

Im so happy you explained this, I've been wondering for a long time. I started wondering when I was 11 years old, I'm now 40 yours old. video could of been shorter lol . but very good info keep it up!

[@DrTopLiftDPT]

Michael Prata ur asking an ole time ah to talk faster or more concisely?

[@MMG_MoonManGuitar]

Sal my man. A true expert. Love you big man.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@artman2119]

I will taking some items back to the box store and taking up your recommendation. Thank you.

[@josephmockbee]

Sal, that was PhD caliber knowledge from a guy in blue jeans. I appreciate it! One burning question I have is what is the practical outcome in the tile flooring when shifting/settling occurs in the structure after using backer board? Grout failure? Cracked tile? Tile separation from backer board? Thanks again, Joe

[@SalDiBlasi]

Depends on how much shifting, but all some or none.

[@jimdavis762]

In NZ we have Hardies 6 millimetre thick tile and slate underlay which is a fibre cement sheet .the installation instructions are to use cartridge adhesive like nail bond and flathead galvanised nails at 4 inch centres nailed over the whole sheet. I have laid hundreds of sheets over the years,in theory the nail bond acts as an uncoupling I guess and the tile and cement sheet become one.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Always follow manufacturer installation recommendations, if that is how they say to do it, then it is designed for that installation method, Your standards will be different to ours and you may have products that are not available here. All that being said, there are some products here that I would never consider using.

[@smokedog6603]

Great Stuff as always! I just Did 650ft Wood look tile job over Ardex Flexbone..I wont use backerboard again! Also used Rigid level max spacers and was impressed with there ability to ensure it was a lippage free install! Ive been instaling Tile for 10 years and basically taught myself. Id love to come work with you on a shower or 2 for FREE because the learning experience would prove to be invalubale! Thanks for showing how to do things the right way! ..Nick from Jersey

[@d.a.mcneill5627]

Hi Sal, thanks so much for the info. Just wondering what happens if you want to change the tile out in a few decades, can you strip it down to the ditra and lay the new tile over top or does the ditra have to come up too?

[@apexglasswerks568]

No. Imagine a super thin wall mini ice cube tray in a roll. That's what Ditra is. It's an Uncoupling membrane. It does just that. You spread Thinset/Allset on the floor in a wet soupy consistency that integrates into the mesh fiber on the bottom of the ditra. Then you mortar that ditra ice cube tray full then scratch lines with your Thinset/Allset mixed normal and lay tile all while wet. It separates the movement in the subfloor from your Ditra and thinset.

[@nekomancey4149]

Question Sal as I get different opinions on this and haven't located the answer in the TCNA handbook (I'm sure its there I just haven.t found it). Installing tile over perfectly level concrete slab foundation subfloor. Do you waterproof/seal/vapor barrier the concrete slab before installing the tile? Obviously an uncoupling membrane is optimal in every situation, but if the customer doesn't want to spend the money on ditra or the like, do you go directly over the bare slab or prime/seal it first? On the one hand you want the thinset to permeate into the concrete slab and back of the tile to promote a strong bond, on the other hand I can see situations where you would want a vapor barrier. Thanks as always!

[@SalDiBlasi]

If you want to go directly over concrete, then that is fine, however you want to be sure that the concrete has no sealers or bond inhibitors on it. as long as there is no standing water, most times the concrete can still be tiled. Do a water drop test on the concrete, if the water absorbs into the concrete quickly, more than likely the pores are open and suitable for thinset to bond to it, if the water beads or takes a long time to absorb into the concrete, it will need to be scarified in some way to open the pores. If the concrete is below grade and has some amount of moisture coming through, I would think very carefully about just tiling directly to it, not because the tile will not bond, but because the moisture needs to be managed in some way to mitigate all the possible issues that can arise from the moisture in the slab coming through.

[@nekomancey4149]

@@SalDiBlasi Thanks, that's my issue in this tropical climate with the standard being thin concrete slab foundations, we get high vapor from the slab. Can't drop a layer of cheap 6mil poly under tile like we do floating floors. Looking for solutions besides ditra (I always recommend ditra or it's counterparts everywhere, but most don't want to pay for it). Any less expensive but standards complaint vapor control method's I can recommend to my clients?

[@2manycatsforadime]

A floated floor then becomes one rigid assembly and will transfer movement through. An uncoupling membrane can be tarpaper which was used for years and years before all of these hi-tech products came out.

[@MoneyManHolmes]

I did a little bit of research on Hardie products, and I was shocked at how hard they fight customers to deny warranty claims. Their argument appeared to be that their product was flawed by design, but was not defective in materials and workmanship so the terms of the warranty should not apply. From what I saw, the courts side with Hardie basically every time. Don’t buy a Hardie product for the warranty unless you have an army of lawyers.

[@sailingmollygrace4596]

That’s true for everyone of these products offering a warranty😀

[@fodank]

Liked and subscribed. DIY'er here in Coromandel and grateful for your knowledge. Tiling my own bath and shower soon.Thank you. Cheers, D.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for the sub!

[@fodank]

@@SalDiBlasi You're welcome. Old New Jersey kid here. Was nice hearing your accent. Reminded me of my youth in the sixties. Seriously, though, you've really helped me on the home front. I'm a jack of all trades (master of none:) and this bath/shower has to be done well. I'm finding you're the most down to earth and knowledgable man on the subject. Cheers, D.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Well, thanks again.

[@Joseph-dg4ez]

Hi Sal I've been watching your videos for years. Thanks for the awesome information! When installing any underlayment, whether it be Backerboard or ditra etc. If one needs to self level a floor, does it go over or under the ditra?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Under then ditra

[@ExtremeRecluse]

All of my tiled floors were done in 2003. Tar paper, mesh, mortar and then tile. I have demolished my bathroom down to the studs and bare plywood floors.

[@hj8607]

The beauty of the ditra is in the inverse egg carton design . The thinset is in the 'nests' , never attaching to the Ditra by surface contact but by a 'Velcro' like attachment . Think of LEGOS that snap INTO the adjoining surface . The thinset is surface attached to the tile back but the Ditra can move horizontally , not forcing the tile to move with it . Hardy back , cement board , dense shield are ONLY for a better base than drywall (including the green junk) ON WALLs only .

[@j.johnson8360]

I disagree

[@alonzokincaid1362]

@@j.johnson8360 this guys full of it

[@networkguy993]

very informative video. A tile Contractor told me that the thicker hardie backer board was for floors and heavier tiles on the walls.

[@SalDiBlasi]

He actually has it backwards, the thinner board was made specifically for floors and should not be used on walls, the thicker version for 16" stud spacing on walls.

[@jla3772]

Now I understand decoupling membranes; thanks. would you recommend using this decoupling membrane for plaster?

[@TILEROB]

Would you put a backer or kerdi on a lid b4 you tile a shower lid with porcelain

[@TILEROB]

Or just to the sheet rock

[@neiltropolis]

If you mean the ceiling, then i would use backerBoard fastened with screws and pl-400 or similar.

[@TILEROB]

Ya i was going to use hardi but had some left over kerdi waste nothing you no

[@TILEROB]

@@neiltropolis thanks man i was debating

[@neiltropolis]

@@TILEROB Many ways to skin a cat, but that's my way. Take care

[@7628739]

SAL, speaks volumes

[@HamiltonTileGA]

"backboard gives no structural strength to your subfloor" thank you Sal!

[@SalDiBlasi]

👍

[@mikez4132]

very true. It's only to separate the tile from the house.

[@Random1234-j8d]

Hamilton Tile GA thank you sir for saying that. This is sharper finish. Ive had that argument so many times. No structural integrity with cement board. Have to explain that cement board has no grain to it, it flexes in all directions.

[@ajmueller5871]

Hi Sal! I am doing Penny tile on a bathroom floor. What kind of backboard and subfloor setup do I need?

[@ignaciocano6109]

Both products are good for diy beginners jobs

[@dustystinson1891]

Still feel more comfortable with fibrerock board with LFT mortar and screwed every 4 inches with screws every 2 inches on the seems. I don't like reinventing the wheel if it's never been broken . Never had a problem with either, but personally, installed correctly my tear outs I've done over the years (older jobs from others) the tile was insanely stuck with fibrerock. I live in northern ontario and it gets cold here , alot of movement every year and I've seen more fails with ditra. Just based on experience and time telling the tale. Maybe because some don't know the proper way to install ditra , but with what I've just described , why reinvent the wheel and throw everyone off.

[@dustystinson1891]

Mold oldschoolers that have seen me instalk ditra just can't get behind it , and say , "why, I've never an issue ? Good video Sal . Very informative. I'm "pro " board obviously lol.

[@SalDiBlasi]

It is not reinventing the wheel, it is just making it better and easier to use, lighter cleaner and waterproof. You don't have to use it if you don't want to. I would suggest you do a Schluter workshop, and get to know these new products. Knowledge is your best friend, still don't have to use them, but you will have a better understanding of them.

[@dustystinson1891]

I just don't like the use of plastic materials if it's not necessary. I love levelling clips and use them on very large format tiles , even then, such a large amount of waste is formed by them. I have the same coffee can of spacers from Last year still going strong ,and use the same ardex rover mixing system to self level my floors for the last 7 years since I bought it. No waste . No plastic on my local landfill . I also build mosaic coffee tables on the small amount of spare time I get with most of my tile waste.

[@dustystinson1891]

I believe this direction on our industry has been left behind. You would be surprised the customers I get from it. It's "trending " .

[@davegordon6943]

@@dustystinson1891 I hate how much waste there is from building houses. I always try to use everything

[@thomassheridan4252]

Excellent, can't beat experience 👍

[@celiafeatherby2283]

Thank you for explaining mechanics of this. So informative.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Orangedome]

Thank you Sal I made notes of your video. Now I will have valid answers to why I will use an uncoupling membrane instead of durock. If not I'll just pass that n the job. I prefer quality. Not dealing with cheap customer s that want to pay cheap for materials.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Might be a good idea to attend some free training events when they are in your area, or go to ones where they pay for your stay.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

The difference is now clear. I am ready to use uncoupling membrane

[@Titantitan001]

Hope it went well!

[@davidtortorici8531]

Enjoy cracked tiles

[@tagheuer02]

Wtf ​@@davidtortorici8531

[@ScottyLo]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimhelfrich7245]

Sal I have to say I love your approach to tile work. I’m 62 years young and people wonder why I still do the work myself. My answer is that I still enjoy it. I like the way I do things and also I want to get the most out of my 44 years of experience. May I ask, how old are you and why do you stay at it ?

[@SalDiBlasi]

65, getting to old for this now

[@charlesbadk]

What do you think of blanke permat

[@SalDiBlasi]

Good product.

[@Titantitan001]

I did thousands of feet of this in Minnesota on a work trip. Easy installation. Hopefully those floors are there for 50 years.

[@arch_stanton100]

Great video, Sal! And very informative. I just subscribed. Thank you sir.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jimmyrayblues]

I love the hideebacka!

[@thepathnotfound]

I guess I missed the instructions on out putting down the membrane? Is there adhesive or does it float?

[@katoom-ju6vo]

My only concern with using an uncoupling membrane over concrete in a normally dry basement, is even if any amount of water were to find its way into the dimples of the uncoupling membrane through the side or perimeter edges, it would never be able to dry out.

[@dona9380]

Doesn't the mortar you apply under and above membrane get hard after installation, making the uncoupling membrane absolite? Seems like the only benefits of this membrane is the ease of carrying, and cutting into the area your installing tile.. I did hear him say something about indentations in the membrane but we go back to both sides of the membrane being completely solid after applying mortar? Thoughts?

[@brianwise6782]

Hi Sal I use mapei uncoupling membrane all the time and I put it down with a 1/4 square notch trowel. The issue I have with it is it seems to curl up in places along the walls or where you cut it. It's kinda a pain in the butt

[@erickramer3050]

Schluter has great customer service. They will actually help you if their product fails. The other thing I liked was if you use Kerdi in a shower, you don't need a vapor barrier. That's Schluter policy, though I'm not sure if TCNA would agree. Btw....nice clip, Sal.

[@80Ragincajun]

Really thats good to hear. Because I herd they will have nothing to do with you. Once you start having problems. Thanks for sharing

[@keithowens9242]

Sal, thank you for another helpful video. I had a tile contractor look at my bathroom floor to give a quote. I told him I wanted Ditra uncoupling membrane used over the subfloor. He saw that I had Advantech flooring which the floor has no flex whatsoever. Rock Solid. He proceeded to tell me that Ditra over Advantech subfloor is a big mistake because if you ever go to remove the floor, the floor would peel right up like nothing. He said Ditra will not stick to Advantech flooring and that if I wanted Ditra I should have put down a plywood floor because Ditra will stick or bond to plywood. Is this guy all wet?? Ive had other tile contactors look at my job and recommend Ditra. What Gives??? Thank You Sir

[@SalDiBlasi]

I guess all those hundreds of job that I have installed Ditra on Advantec will all fail. This guy probably wants to sell you cement board and is using it as an excuse to scare you. Just be sure to use AllSett which is Schluters high polymer content Mortar which meets ANSI A118.15 and also use Either AllSet or Set, their unmodified mortar, to install the tile, and you can get a Schluter Lifetime warranty. Here is one I did over Advantech some years ago, Allset was not on the Market so I used a different A118.15 mortar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYnUm399idyVpK8

[@keithowens9242]

@@SalDiBlasi Sal, you nailed it my friend. I have found that there are many contractors who use fear to persuade you to use only their favorite methods because they are only looking out for themselves.......... not the customer. Thank you for all you do and your many instructional videos. Im sure Im not alone in saying this, if you lived closer to me, I would be hiring you to do my tile work!! Thanks so much for your help

[@EricNeilson_]

Given that my washing machine weighs about 250 lbs dry (probably 300 lbs full load), should I put an uncoupling membrane between the concrete subfloor and the tile in the laundry room?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Irrelevant, uncoupling serves to protect from cracks from movement, not load.

[@jmartin015]

Great info Sal. Uncoupled is the way to go. Got it.

[@NJ_Tile_Guy]

You have used hardie and durock for so many years and never had a failed floor or shower if installed properly? Now it is not good because of some new orange plastic on a roll? I'm confused¿

[@SalDiBlasi]

So if something can be improved and made better, it shouldn't be? Why do we have cars with anti-lock brakes? Why not keep the old CRT tube TVs? why do we need smartPhones? Just because something works, doesn't mean it can't be improved upon. There were plenty of problems with Water in water out shower systems, cement board on a floor is not an ideal product to work with, it is heavy, dusty and has dangerous silicates, it is difficult to work with, and the list goes on. So just because something works it doesn't mean it is the best possible solution to a problem.

[@NJ_Tile_Guy]

Sal DiBlasi gotcha.. Thanks for the reply you truly are a Master of your craft. Cheers from Jersey!

[@keithowens9242]

@@SalDiBlasi Sal, what would you is the most common problem with a water in water out shower pans?

[@teh60]

I used Ditra for my bathroom floor tile. Easy to put down and tile over. Good product. Great video Sal, well explained.

[@swaffstudios]

Sal, do you ever use cork underlayment instead of the mentioned decoupling products?

[@andreronaldi959]

Once more Sal thanks you so much for these informations. Cheers .

[@SalDiBlasi]

Any time!

[@mattymets101]

Sal what do you think about using the ditra over a wedi board on a floor?

[@bigdog3162]

Hey Sal, very good information, thanks. QUESTION- - - - I see the these non-coupling membranes suggest only 2" or larger tile. I need to put down a marble mosaic that consists of 1-1/6" hexagon pcs of marble, comes in 12x12 sheets. Is using a smaller mosaic for the floor ok? If not, what do you suggest? Here is my floor prep: I have a 5/8" subfloor, and I'm adding 15/32" BC underlayment on top. I'm also beefing up floor joists that are 16 OC and "sistering" some 2x6 SYP onto my 2x10 (9-1/4) Floor joists to help with deflection. This will also help reduce my OC dimension and help with a slight leveling problem. (I'm Using 2x6 so they pass over the top of my wiring and plumbing running through the joists). I'll probably add some cross blocking too, especially at all new subfloor joints. Using deck screws for subfloor. I'll thinset the membrane to BC underlayment like you suggest, then tile the mosaic as usual.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Call your rep, in a residential tile job they will usually give you the OK for the smaller tile, and will give you a warranty, but you need to call and follow their instructions, which will usually mean prefilling the ditra before setting the mosaic tile.

[@Daniel-wd4jg]

BAC local 3 San Leandro CA. Nice presentation. I'm stuck with my leads prep and set methods. Mostly huge commercial and industrial installation. My 100 year old home I used hardibacker just to quiet sqeeky floors. Good knowledge and presentation!

[@nesteezy4884]

I’m also in northern Cali . Do you used thinset your hardi backer board ?

[@Daniel-wd4jg]

@@nesteezy4884 It depends Bro. I remodeled a 100 yr. project and used hardi because of old old sub floor. I've floated deck mud. Mostly coupling membrane and thinset. Gypcrete with commercial floors and a roll on liquid crack isolation layer.

[@Daniel-wd4jg]

Another consideration is tile joining hardwood floors (3/4") or plank flooring

[@Blackdog4818]

Red Prova-Flex over orange Ditra? Would save me $24.

[@mymusic7262]

If I use hardie backer, then can I use the matting on top of the hardie backer?

[@ronfarquhar9319]

Another great lesson.

[@victorvek5227]

Sal, when do you find Ditra XL necessary over the standard Ditra? I’m installing 5/16” marble tile but have 16” OC floor joists and 3/4 t&g subfloor… is the XL necessary or can I get away with the standard?

[@SalDiBlasi]

You actually need another layer of plywood and then the ditra. Floor has to meet L/720 deflection standard when installing natural stone.

[@QuontumGnosis]

🙏🏻❤️🙏🏿 Always uncle Sal. Aloha🤙🏼 Hawaii Tile Renovations LLC

[@mattsb5196]

I have a subfloor that is needs some kind of board (like cement backer or plywood) because it’s a series of 2x8 planks. There are half inch gaps between these planks and some height differences. Can i put down a 1/4” cement board and then apply Ditra on top of it? This would level my floorboard and then provide the decoupling. I guess I’m really trying to avoid floating.

[@edwardrutherford7920]

Love the video! So informative! Thanks so much!

[@SalDiBlasi]

You are so welcome!

[@howlinbeagle]

Geat info, we'll delivered!!

[@jackdasilva6327]

With the hardy backer (spelling unknown) even if it was countertop backsplash? Or is there just better ways to go about it?

[@eug1806]

Amazing video...I was worried about the additional weight at the cent of the kitchen. Definitely opting for the Ditra. Thanks for the tips

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@virtualtom7370]

Thank you Sal...very informative and confirmed my desire to use Ditra...also understand the need to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions...reading online it appears that is the primary cause for uncoupling membrane installs to fail. Take care

[@123ChrisG]

Well covered thanks.

[@deeeeeeps]

My favorite way is to prime the floor with red guard, staple lathe with a wide crown staple overlapping them. Then use a cement mixer and pour self level as thin as possible. I've went back to jobs that are 15 years old where I put on an addition with big 12x24 tiles and absolutely 0 cracks anywhere.

[@jinyang5518]

Thanks for the video, very helpful. However, I need to install the beckerboard for my DIY project to match the height of the hardwood floor..

[@SalDiBlasi]

Ditra XL www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/Membranes/Uncoupling-(DITRA)/Schluter%C2%AE-DITRA-&-DITRA-XL/p/DITRA

[@tov7294]

Hi sal what the best to use over wooden boards

[@stephenbile3932]

I'm refinishing a basement. It's a cement floor and I want to tile on top. I do not want to do any wood subfloor. I also recently redid the drain pipes going to the sewer main. With all that said, which is the best membrane to use? I want to decouple and I also want to somewhat waterproof because one of the rooms is a bathroom. Toilet and vanity only (no tub or shower.)

[@SalDiBlasi]

Never put plywood or backer board on concrete, any uncoupling membrane will work, as far as waterproofing Laticrete Strata Mat is a great uncoupling membrane but not waterproof.

[@stephenbile3932]

@@SalDiBlasi not sure that I understand what your saying in your last part of your comment. On one hand, your saying that the product is good for water proofing, yet it's not waterproof? Would LATICRETE HYDRO BARRIER PLUS make it waterproof added to the membrane?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Strata Mat has Hydration vents in the membrane, Full of holes, the others have no holes so are waterproof.

[@stephenbile3932]

@@SalDiBlasi Thank you for the knowledge. I really would like to get the benefit of waterproofing. This is a basement and during the summer I'm subjected to a lot of humidity. I have a dehumidifier with the pump on it. But if I'm going to put this kind of money into my home, I really don't want to have any headaches with tiles cracking and I would like the benefit of less dampness. Besides the washer dryer I'm setting it up to be like a little man cave with all the creature comforts ie full Wi-Fi, big screen TV on the wall, a wine cooler, couches, and a massage chair so if I on my wife is doing laundry and we want to just chill out watch a little TV and have a glass of wine a, beer or soda, it would be nice and comfortable down there. Also going to do a floating stairs.

[@zachs564]

Hello Sal, I will be installing a 1x2 mosaic tile on my bathroom floor and have read not to use the ditra system because they have a minimum of 2x2. I will be installing 3/4 plywood and was thinking 1/2 cement board on top of that. Do you suggest the cement board or is there another brand similar to ditra that you would suggest for that size tile? Thank you in advance!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Call your rep, they will okay it for you.

[@mattb9664]

Someone needs to do a video on whether it's suitable to reuse the Ditra after tile removal since holes will be created in the squares and since there will be some separation between the fleece and plastic. And if not, is it acceptable to just thinset over the old fleece layer and just install new Ditra over it?

[@SalDiBlasi]

You answered your own question, "holes", "separation" unknown condition of the underlayment. No video needed, tear it out start over.

[@mattb9664]

Thanks Sal- how about the thinsetted fleece layer. Do installers grind it out or do they thinset over the old fleece?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Grind it off, start clean.

[@brianwallace609]

Fell asleep before the end

[@patrickcowan8701]

Would like to find the ardex product supposedly way easier to key in the mortar then on the schluter.

[@tammyjones7042]

Sal, how do you deal with 12x12 ceramic tiles, and mosaic tile (floor application) that are different thicknesses? Help?!?!

[@Swiper360]

Can we use both Hardie backer and a tile fleece mat over a wooden subfloor? Will it help more

[@SalDiBlasi]

Not enough info, but usually no.

[@Swiper360]

@@SalDiBlasi I have both 6mm HB and fleece mat for small bathroom (2m x 1.5m). I bought it half price from a friend, but my wood substrate seems solid but has some imperfections around, so I thought I'd be safe, plus I'll also add underfloor heating on top of the mat. Is it a bit overkill?

[@glamygirlie6829]

Hi Sal, can I Instal the Ditra over linoleum whic is on top of a plywood subfloor? Does the Vynil need to be removed ? or can I lay mapei eco prim grip over tbe vynil and then install the Ditra....?

[@bobsain6838]

Can I install ditra directly on an old smooth tongue and groove (about 2 and 1/2 inch wide and 1 inch thick each) hardwood floor? I think you would call it structural. It is the original floor from when the house was built about 100 years ago. It was not added later. It is still in perfect shape. I will appreciate your advice very much. Thank you for a very good video.

[@SalDiBlasi]

no

[@ProDMiner]

Hey sal thanks for this video :) I’ve learned a lot but I have a question. So I’m gonna be building a house in the next year or two and I am gonna have a slab floor instead of a basement. What do you recommend I do for that to tile it? Would I wanna raise it at all? Cause I figure I should use the membrane but does that slab move like a wooden floor would? I feel like I’m going to have to raise it up a bit at least cause I wanna put wanna of those long short drains in cause it’s going to be a walk in shower, so I just been thinking a lot about the design. I actually designed about 16 years ago and now since I’ll be building a home I figure hey why not build that bathroom I designed some time ago. Any info would be good :) also thank you for making these videos I have honestly learned a lot of stuff.

[@pingpong9656]

Hey Sal - do you find demolishing tiles with ditra difficult? You can really clean up tiles well without all these backing products but I was wondering how hard it is to clean a floor with Ditra.

[@SalDiBlasi]

I have the video for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIqWiIabZZ2haK8

[@pingpong9656]

@@SalDiBlasi Thnx Sal - does that mean you can just knock the tiles off the top and reuse the ditra underneath? Would a power tile scrapper work if you need to do a large area?

[@karlgerber7652]

This guy knows his stuff. I am considering ending my career with cement board and doing Ditra.

[@SalDiBlasi]

That would be a smart move.

[@jamesmetcalf356]

I havent watched all the video but there are rules for substrate thickness pre tile based on joist spacing.

[@firesh636]

Sal, Again, thank you very much for sharing your experience and knowledge. I plan to replace kitchen tiles(14 years old)- some of them cracked, sitting on metallic/cement "bed". And I planned to use cement boards to add rigidity to the kitchen floor, especially that tiles cracking shows some movement. After watching this video, I m not so sure what would be the best approach. May be to install Ditra instead of cement boards? What would you recommend and why? By the way your recommendations about Kerabound T worked perfectly- it was perfect to put tiles on ceiling, no problems at all. Thank you

[@SalDiBlasi]

Cement board has no structural value, so it will not stiffen the floor. You need to determine you deflection to see if the floor is capable of supporting tile kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWWldYd_a5yGZ68 then if floor is good for tile, I would use an uncoupling membrane, much better product

[@firesh636]

@@SalDiBlasi Thank you

[@anthonycddb]

Hello Sal, Great videos, what are your thoughts on tar paper over plywood, then wire mesh and instead of a scratch coat setting tile directly into the mud?. I did not know about this product at the time I was told to use the method as I described, Thanks, Anthony

[@SalDiBlasi]

You have to define your method better, if it is an unbonded mud bed it is perfectly fine old school method, if however you are referring to a Jersey Mud job, it is one of the worst hack ever. How thick is the "Mud" you are referring to and what is it"s composition.

[@jasonlackey33]

Great video. If replacing tile and have removed all the old backer board, how will this new system work if I need to account the difference in height from the adjacent room (hardwood)?

[@bigevents9474]

Can you use those rolls to lay tile? How can you put mud on those rolls?

[@Lu-cho]

Oooh that's what i was looking for Thanks 😁😁👏 But How much cost and where *YOU* purchase the orange underlayment for tile? A roll of 100sqft. Pleaseeee.

[@SalDiBlasi]

amzn.to/308ZNAk

[@Lu-cho]

@@SalDiBlasi Nice, thanks... was looking for a plywood underlayment but will be easier to find your video if title say PLYWOOD (have to lay 1,500 sqft 😱) And have a option like *Fortifiber* but you give me better one Thanks.