How to Avoid Schluter System Install Mistakes | Pro Tips for Homeowners

[@SalDiBlasi]

Steve, really great tips, everything goes faster and better when you pay attention to the details of the install. Great tips.👍

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you so much Sal, we always appreciate your feedback. Awesome work with the corner shelves!! Your work is impeccable

[@SalDiBlasi]

@@HomeRepairTutor Thanks Guys, it's all about showing people the right way and some simple things that can make it easier to do that.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

totally agree, having a good understanding of the systems and game plan makes it much easier

[@SalDiBlasi]

Why not, whatever makes it faster and gives a great bond is a good thing. One thing is that many people are not proficient with a trowel, so a putty knife will help make it easier.

[@SalDiBlasi]

For sure.

[@deanrandall1359]

Brother you just answered all my silly questions in the same video - you’re the man 👊🏼

[@DJWerkz]

Fantastic, I have been training teams of people of varying degrees of tile installation skills only to find the more experienced installers trying to give their own ideas on how thinset should be mixed, not one person has referred to the manufactures mixing instructions on the bag!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

it’s super important to read each bag. Every thin-set has a different water ratio and mixing time. We see it bring a major problem for those who ignore it

[@DJWerkz]

@@HomeRepairTutor what I help people to meditate on is the amount of development time that goes into producing those mix ratios and what they will achieve, maximum adhesion. Telling someone to mix it until it's like custard when you kick the bucket is all too common in the industry

[@TheZambie1]

@@DJWerkz Yes! One of my go-to sayings is - Manufacturers pay people a lot of money to produce instructions, take one minute and READ THEM!

[@cootergavin2279]

Old dogs, new tricks. Nothing new, just be open to be a student always and forever.

[@LandbergTileTV]

Excellent and simplistic video, this will help out a lot of installers!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thanks man, always appreciate your feedback

[@jakal104]

Schluter's handbook dated 4/24 indicates the trowel used to apply All-set should be 1/4 × 3/16 V notch. Maybe they found issues with the 1/8" square notch trowel.?.? Keep up the informative videos!

[@teh60]

Great tips Steve. Installing a strip of Kerdi band over the screws is an excellent idea.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, certainly speeds up installation

[@reidbullock2052]

Another great tip to reduce build up and have sharp tight corners with the band is to use a margin trowel as opposed to 6" knife, provides a lot of detailed control and allows a person to get a those 90° incorners sharp and tight

[@realbusboys]

If you use a iron on the band it creates a perfect corner and makes it 10x easier to place it there too

[@BrooklynTony1]

You’ve given me a great confidence. I’ll show you my 1st curbless shower soon.

[@bricenaylor5708]

Glad I found your video! Doing my first DIY remodel today, tore out a bathfitter fiberglass shower and will be tiling, and...the studs aren't flush!! I think I'm gonna sister 2x4's onto the existing studs! Thanks again, great video!

[@PhilipThompsonCanada]

Excellent ‘hand-holding’ video - just what I need to prevent 4 x catastrophic mistakes. Thank you, and 👍

[@nousername4956]

Thanks for the video - very helpful. You have absolutely massive hands.

[@russtam85]

I’ve been watching your videos and surely a great help. Keep em coming!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you

[@rogerhodges7656]

Great tips. The Schluter system is SOOO expensive. I can't cost justify it on small, low budget jobs.

[@antonyllamocca1635]

i love the b roll shots, awesome guys! this is an incredible production!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, those are from this project and some others. We have lots of video to edit!!

[@RadioFixer]

Excellent explanation 👍👏👏👏 thank you for the info. This will help me to install mine. Have a great day!

[@joejancso1303]

Great idea on using a mud pan.

[@crosstheline.1969]

Using a drywall knife is an awesome idea, thanks for the tip !!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, it works really well in tight areas, too

[@carnini]

great tips, thanks. Going to use the mud pan trick for sure!

[@penthesilliaas]

Great video. I can't get passed the size of those mittens!

[@msj2]

Slaps my thigh, points at the screen....you guys are incredibly helpful and informative!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, hopefully the tips are helpful. Especially the last one

[@dannymuir5344]

Steve,I like the drywall pan idea.I think Ill save an hour on that tip.

[@maydanlex]

What a GREAT video. Excellent information. Thanks!

[@communistusa7173]

Just did a bathroom with legit 2 studs on my back wall to start. And a chimney to contend with while framing it

[@offroad-adventure]

Love this video. Great insight and extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, hopefully these tips are helpful

[@KevinKimmich44024]

I'm getting ready to re-do my shower with Kerdi. Very valuable advice. thanks.

[@waaaaa99]

Love it! Pigpen giving "pro" advice.

[@glenfry5871]

I used unmodified thinset mixed it haphazardly, mixed extra water in when if started drying out and generally broke all the rules and the only issue I had was getting the tiles back off when I wanted to fix a mistake.

[@markthompson6440]

I gave my wife the Schluter in the shower after we finished the job and she loved it !

[@123ewq4567]

All the vids on Schluter instructions say to use unmodified thin set mortar when applying the membrane. So why is their own thinset, "ALL-SET" a modified mortar ?

[@JoeLane50]

Because it was a lie in the first place. Schluter said that modified thinset would not fully dry between the tile and Schluter. This is complete BULLSHIT. They only said this in the beginning because Schluter was so much more expensive than traditional cement float, so they said “you can save money because of the unmodified thinset. REALLY. HELLO? What happens to the modified thinset when we use it over REDGARD? It drys just like everything else. That was a totally false claim. I’ve been installing Schluter Kerdi for 15 plus years and I have always used Versabond by Customs. BTW Customs is who makes their “All-set” which sells for about $15 more. Use your brain and question things when it sounds like Bullshit.

[@Thejakegee]

Appreciate your time. Valuable.

[@barbarathomas1808]

Great tips. It is great to be able to draw from your experience.

[@tyyoung4104]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Do you have a video on preparing a shower floor to receive a kerdiline drain?

[@Patriots2004]

Thank you great tips

[@MJ-qt4dm]

Thank you for another informative video!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thanks, hopefully it was helpful

[@checkyourbrakes]

This was really useful!

[@jaydensbookreviewandothers8806]

Great tips! thank you

[@tomatexelon]

If your using the drywall trowel for the kerdi strip and using your the trowel second then installing the strip, if you smooth everything out again after installing the strip with the drywall trowel, then what’s the point of using the notched trowel. Because the drywall trowel will flatten all the notches that the trowel made. Can’t you you just the drywall trowel only?

[@Gairuntee]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@TheZambie1]

Great tips, thank you

[@aaragon6866]

Nice tips! Thanks

[@travis3126]

10/10 video cowboy!

[@awilliamsmedia]

also shoutout to whoever held the camera. essential

[@Dtileandremodeling]

Great video guys!

[@marfav893]

This guys hands are huge. Wreck it ralph over here.

[@TheBdyer1122]

Is there a need to waterproof all the way to the ceiling in a shower?

[@genesavarino6673]

I have installed the Schluter syst in our shower, along w/the kerdiband/non modif mortar. I am not concerned about the warranty due to this being my first attp and I sure I didnt do EVERYTHING acc to mfg recs. I am so much more paranoid about water damage. I am contemplating going over everything with AquaDefence.. What is your opinion?? Would also like to thank you guys for taking so much time to make these amazing informative/helpful videos. At this point I'm into Schluter for about 1300.00 (3X4 shower w/4' knee wall) so I am not worried about the 60.00 for aquadefence. Waiting anxiously for your response. Want this reno OVER!!!! :0

[@rileymcmillan6206]

We discovered how "out of plumb" and flatness our wall studs were after removing the tub and surround preparatory to installing a new walk-in shower. Any pointers on how much of a "tolerance" is safe when adjusting studs for straightness? (Our studs were bowed, twisted, cut, etc., in our 46-year-old house).

[@JoeLane50]

First off, everything you said about the stud is true. You have to straight line with a level or screed to see which studs a sticking out or in. Instead of wasting time and money on more 2x4’s and plaining the wood down, apply thinset on all the studs and press the Kerdi board into the thinset to with your level to ensure plumb and flat…let dry and install screws the next day. It’s now on the walls and super strong. Instead of using the Kerdi band like you did, which is a complete waste of money, use the Kerdi fix over the screws instead.

[@dblood8529]

Do you have to mix the whole bag?

[@AaronVandyke-n1q]

my question is can the membrane be installed on plywood or does it have to be on the board?

[@thomasmorrison3794]

Lesson to be learned. Don't use pre mixed mortar when installing the tile. It does not dry. Use the schluter dry mortar. I had to tear up the tile after giving it three weeks to dry. It must have not fully dried underneath the tile, and once water started creeping in it failed. I'm now re-installing the shower floor using the dry mortar I have to mix. Good luck!

[@PeteGaughenbaugh1]

The problem is that modified thin set requires the moisture to escape in order for it to “set”, and kerdi is water tight. The moisture can’t escape so it never sets. This is why non modified thinset is required by Schluter. Non modified cures in the presence of moisture.

[@tnrcleancare7847]

@@PeteGaughenbaugh1 bingo. Plus your kerdi will pull that wetness of the mortar too. Its designed to that is what seals the seams on a microscopic level. The mortar locks into the tiny pockets in the kerdi.

[@mikeokeefe2014]

So good sales pitch...buy more screws , buy more rolls.....only use our trowel.....lol

[@danemmerich6775]

Will it help to wet the back of the Kerdi band like you would when doing drywall tape? To make sure the it is a good seal and you can use less mud, in theory.

[@chuy2552]

Thank for the info. Would it be ok to roll some redguard ontop of all that ?

[@sammirab1]

Very informative.

[@othername1000]

Maybe this explains why I can't get the Kerdi Set to set. I have to mix an entire bag at a time? Damp and crumbly over 24 hours later

[@jonathanbell9349]

Great video! I subscribed

[@bethanyanderson1745]

Does Steve have his own website or YT channel?

[@kicharan]

For a residential steam shower; would you suggest concrete board or kerdi board? I want to have 0 headaches in the future with any kind of waterproofing issues.

[@paulremmey8268]

Great informative video

[@jonklein8308]

I read that unmodified was to be used instead of the modified thin set So wich is best and why?

[@oscarvaldez7894]

Thank you

[@5790arod]

The schluter all set modified thin set is out of stock locally. Can I use any other non proprietary modified thin set?

[@communistusa7173]

Plz answer this, I always mixed my own thinset, recently I did a shower and I bought a bag of thinset. I always follow the directions to the T. So that’s what I did, my thinset was sooooo wet. I worried that it was way to thin so i thickened it. Why was it so thin

[@suegoodwin2296]

I've been watching and am a bit confused by where to sit the kerdi board on the lip of the base. The kerdi directions say to use furring strips to smooth out the lip to the studs. Then place the kerdi board over the flange, 1/8 inch from base. Which method is best?

[@JohnnyTheMonkey]

Thanks, but I’ll stick with PVC membrane pan, CMU benches, & Hardibacker walls. 35 years, zero callbacks on wet installs.

[@priceandpride]

Should I request the contractor provide video or picture updates of each step of the install to ensure they did it properly?

[@motor2of7]

Hire a professional contractor, don’t hawk over them

[@richlisowski2486]

Currently doing a bathroom remodel in my home and using Kerdi products. I decided to go with the Hansgrohe iBox for the mixing valve and was wondering how you install the kerdi mixing valve seal with that unit? Should I cut the iBox flush to the kerdi board and put the rubber ring of the kerdi inside the Ibox? I know that Hansgrohe says to leave a 1/16" of the iBox protruding through the wall. Any tips would be helpful

[@HomeRepairTutor]

cut the board around the iBox and seal the green flange to the board with KERDI-FIX or better yet, a custom piece of KERDI and KERDI-FIX, attaching the KERDI to the iBox with KERDI-FIX

[@richlisowski2486]

@@HomeRepairTutor you guys are awesome! thanks for the help and keep up the good work!

[@hanijamalieh6127]

What kind of thin set you used for this material

[@chrisclassical7]

the problem with schluter is that it is mistake and failure prone. never seen a liner under the bed fail, seen schluter foam bases fail.

[@thelukerocks]

Do you have to use kirdi fix sealant or can any sealant work I have Go board sealant?

[@lynnh7694]

Hello Steve, can you set the membrane in the water proofing sealer called Red guard? I never tried it but, thought about it to save time rather than using non modified mortar.

[@davegordon6943]

Not supposed to mix waterproofing products

[@Foxsob]

Absolutely not. They are meant to be used separately as different waterproofing methods/system, it would not work. Use an appropriate thinset, such as All-Set from schluter, and that way you would qualify for your lifetime warranty.

[@lynnh7694]

@@Foxsob I was wondering what adhesive that they use on the curbs that come pre-wrapped with the membrane because it differently is not non- modified mortar. I never tried setting it in the Red Guard, I would never experiment when installing a shower.

[@mnelson505]

Thanks so much for the tips. I put the kerdi band in my shower this past weekend. I used a drywall knife and hawk, worked great. I definitely followed all the schluter instructions and your advice. Time for my water seal test.

[@TheBlindSwordsman]

Hi, I have a schluter shower TT pan that I want to install. Can I use modified thinset to affix it to the plywood substrate? And if so do I then use unmodified thinset for laying tiles and laying the kerdi band? Part of my questions directly relates to the point when you embed the drain. I was made to understand that everything above the pan must use unmodified thinset. If so, how do i deal with the excess modified thinset that pushes out when I'm embedding the drain? Does this adversely impact my installation? I would really appreciate if someone could get me in the right direction. Side note I'll be using either customs or a Mapie brand thinset.

[@lancewalden5404]

I was watching kirby full install shower. No where did they show screws. Just mud the seems. Hmmm.... 🤔

[@andrewmattie9713]

Hi Steve, how flat do studs have to be, like 1/8" ok? Thanks for sharing, Andy.

[@davegordon6943]

I wouldn't want anymore than that

[@johnwhite2576]

Man if you are using full bands, juts use hardboard and ther sheet membrane-no screws either !

[@papak67]

Is there an allowed gap between the stud and Kerdi? What if I'm touching on 3 studs and one is 1/16" shy?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

that wouldn't be terrible, you could make that up with thin-set when tiling the shower walls

[@scottkeefer5390]

Any thoughts on people that suggest using a product like Ardex 8+9 to apply the banding or even to cover the entire shower base once completed (TileCoach). I am getting ready to do a Schulter Shower and am debating covering the entire shower base with Ardex 8+9 once water tested. I spoke to Schulter about this (very easy to call and talk to someone) they of course said it voided the warranty but understood why I would be thinking about doing that. I would appreciate your advise on this.

[@cohenkevinloriqueen818]

yes, im getting ready to install my banding with Ardex 8+9 after watching this on the tilecoach also, but I have mixed feelings about it... let me know what you end up doing

[@antonyllamocca1635]

are you guys still having the Q&A this week?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

we’re taking a break due to our schedule and trying to catch up on other things

[@ricksmith5230]

Need to get your company name on your shirt👍

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Which mistake scares you the most?

[@jasonv9202]

My issue was/is air pockets between the membrane and the backer board. I have no idea what I did wrong. I used the exact non-modified thinset, the correct size trowel notch and had good coverage before applying the membrane. I worked out the air bubbles and it felt fine and then later when I revisited the job I could feel a few pockets of air. I have no idea, the membrane looked like the simplest part of the entire installation.

[@tnrcleancare7847]

You gotta go a bit wetter on the mix next time bub. Just a cunt hair wetter. Work left to right center out bottom to top

[@WhateverItsanOpinion]

I don't trust their system on the floor.. Too many times I have seen tiles that have hollow spots because it's lifted up from the floor but it still stuck to the membrane is many many times.. Hardy backer is much more superior you always know that you will have a solid bond

[@chowsman1]

The right ratio is fine but everyone needs to mix a full bag.

[@lancewalden5404]

Why not just use water proof mortar? Like in swimming pools, ect.... I had some left over in a bucket. Set it outside. It rained and the water proof still set up. That round 4 inch disk is in my driveway after three years of doing this... I would not just apply mortar on sheet rock though. No way.. I have used plywood. Five years it is holding strong on walls and floor...

[@ServicePlus-r8j]

😂 thank you

[@plummetplum]

Hands like spades 😀

[@lulutileguy]

heres a tip no rockn roll no magic get a radio everybody him to

[@jzero4813]

Step 1: Read the directions and follow them. I just saved you nine minutes.

[@maxxwellm9322]

I got forty years in tile and this guy is only for home owners. I see a lot of Schluder showers having problems. Solution, don't use it unless you can take a lot of time to install it.

[@pawpawstew]

What do you mean by for the homeowner? Are you implying that the "pros" don't need this info? I've seen many "pro" shower installations, including using the Kerdi system, that have failed (I.e. Water intrusion and substrate failure) done by pros. A product is only as good as the installer.

[@geared2cre8]

Best way to avoid Schluter system problems is to not use Schluter systems, use tried and true methods. For the best results float your walls, hot mop the floor and use dry pack. This new era of foam garbage drives me crazy. Unless you're planning on remodeling every 5 to 7 years, don't use foam or non cement wall boards.

[@tnrcleancare7847]

Nothing wrong with schluter. I install them every day . yes floating walls is great,.....nice and plumb... But so are my walls with whatever i use. You can't find kerdi board around my area which would be nice so we install membranes . u just can't half ass it like anything else. Or yes it will leak. But I go overkill . i redguard all lumber so everything underneath is waterproof too. Never had any issues.

[@caroledevlin5185]

No MALARKY.

[@nunyabidness5150]

You avoid the mistakes by not using the garbage

[@mydogma7116]

They are rip off systems... what a racket

[@heathrow1428]

The hand moving is annoying! I had to stop watching

[@hmonster1XL]

Easy. Don’t use Schluter!

[@apex007]

Mistake #1. Paying for an overpriced system which is not waterproof

[@davidkilpatrick3689]

I agree!!

[@Rico702Vegas]

Man I hope you got all that mold outta that wall...

[@mikecase9365]

Easier on the band being full but at $20 bucks on a roll your looking at 5 rolls wow