How to install RedGard uncoupling mat

[@alancastle3917]

Glad to see how he used fiber tape and mud on his seams. Red Guard made no mention of seam tape unless you were going for a waterproof app. I like the variety of styles in pro vids. Also it’s a learning experience at any rate!

[@RalphBucci]

They offer a waterproofing tape but since the installation is on the floor, I didn't see the need for it! Using regular mud is the easiest way to go!

[@funkngonuts]

Just picked up this stuff to redo my entry and half bath. Glad to see it's so easy to lay down! I don't really get the reason for the mesh tape. It's not going to serve as a vapor barrier since there's a bunch of holes in the mesh. It seems like just extra mud on top before the tile goes down...

[@redhillfarm5017]

A very good explanation! Thanks!

[@RalphBucci]

Glad you liked it!!

[@robertlane6675]

Good video man, I am getting ready to install this stuff in my sauna. I found this video helpful.

[@RalphBucci]

Robert Lane Thank you for the comment!! Good luck with your project and let us know how it goes!!

[@trueword7929]

Exelente video brother, Well explained.

[@RalphBucci]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate it!!

[@jasondonat1264]

Great video

[@RalphBucci]

Thank you!!

[@CBSuper]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@RalphBucci]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliemccall8366]

Is the regular redgard mortar appropriate to use over VCT that is VERY stuck to the subfloor? I did read that you recommend sanding the VCT to take any gloss off and give the mortar something to bite, but is it the same mortar that is used on bare wood subfloor? .

[@RalphBucci]

If you’ve checked every piece to make sure that nothing is peeling up, I would rough up the surface of the existing VCT and then maybe use some type of primer before you lay your mortar down.

[@toolmkr1]

That was a helpful vid. I just learned about this stuff today at Home Depot. I' m starting a bathroom tomorrow. The bathroom is covered with linoleum. It's nice and solid. The flooring guy said I could use thinset right over the linoleum as long as I took the shine off with a sander. It would take a day off the project if I don't have to take up the linoleum. What do you think? Also, is that just joint tape you used instead of redgard's $20 a roll tape?

[@RalphBucci]

I’ve laid ceramic tile over VCT tile but it’s really not recommended to go over consumer grade linoleum. It may or may not hold depending on how well the linoleum is stuck and what type of mortar you use. Maybe using the uncoupling mat over the existing flooring might work but I like to lay my stuff on a bare concrete / wood floor. And yes, it’s straight up joint tape!! The red guard stuff is crazy expensive and really only needed to waterproof the joint.

[@toolmkr1]

@@RalphBucci Thanks. I'll get rid of the linoleum.

[@alancastle3917]

It was the fiber seam tape for drywall in a close up.

[@chidozie26]

Great video. Would I do the same process on a cement slab?

[@RalphBucci]

It’s not really meant for cement slab installation unless you have a lot of shifting issues but then you should probably contact a structural person if you do!! It’s meant more for installation over an existing subfloor i.e. plywood.

[@chidozie26]

@@RalphBucci My situation is that my laundry room sits on a block of cement adjacent with my foundation (same with my front porch). So it goes block-foundation-block. I'm not sure I expect it to move or shift (other than earthquakes :)) the house was built in 1910 so I don't think too much settling is left. But I would suspect minor shifting.

[@btomas225]

@@RalphBucci - It is indeed meant to apply over slabs too...Slabs crack. An uncoupling membrane prevents the crack in the concrete from telegraphing up through the tile.

[@idahogreen2885]

Im bout ready to do a bathroom floor with this stuff. I feel more confident now. (I subbed fkr😎🤜🏻🤛🏻)

[@RalphBucci]

Thank you and good luck with your install!! Let us know how it goes and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!!

[@blaketignor]

thank you bro

[@karenarutchev3769]

Is liquid Red Gard better than uncoupling mat or it is made to waterproof only and doesn’t eliminate plywood flexibility ?

[@RalphBucci]

You’re exactly right. Liquid red guard is basically for a waterproofing membrane application. The red guard uncoupling mat is designed to replace hardi backer or some other type of subfloor that helps with curtailing plywood flexibility.

[@karenarutchev3769]

@@RalphBucci Thanks. Will use uncoupling mat then

[@typ044]

Curious why you decided to use mesh on the joints instead of waterproofing the joints with the redgaurd fabric tape they sell for their decoupling mat? Not putting down your install, just curious if there's a reason behind it?

[@RalphBucci]

There actually is a reason and thank you for asking! I was told by my supplier that the waterproofing tape was unnecessary unless it was an extreme wet environment. Simple fiberglass tape would work fine. Secondly, they want $17 for a roll of their mesh tape which is absolutely crazy ridiculous!!

[@typ044]

Thanks for replying, good to know. Not that I would condone taking advice from anyone at home depot, lol, but that sounds reasonable. If it makes you feel better that stuff is 20 a roll here on Kauai, and 90 a roll for the 39" x16.5' mat.

[@PDXcitable]

@@RalphBucci This is a second story bathroom. You should absolutely use waterproofing tape. One toilet overflow, one good shower splashing and it's an extreme wet environment and it's seeping into the ceiling on the ground floor and becoming a potential mold source. I don't know what you're charging for the job, but for $17 you could replace a porous seem with one that is waterproof. That's peanuts. Also, if you're running baseboard I would run the membrane up the wall a little bit to prevent leaking around the edges (or use a little more of the tape). Little things that mean a lot.

[@dizzodiz3714]

Thanks ! Very helpful video 👍

[@RalphBucci]

You’re welcome and thank you for watching!!

[@AllBayEveryDay]

2 things wrong i see. You should only use modified thinset for installing uncoupling membrane (per manufacturer specs) and you should mix your thinset a lot more watery than that. You want it to run off your trowel and pour out of the bucket. The subfloor will absorb a lot of moisture from the thinset and you won’t have enough moisture to bond to the membrane.

[@RalphBucci]

We use the thinset recommended by the shop and yes, we do generally mix the thinset a bit wet but from what it sounds like, you're in the business and you know how quickly it dries out!

[@gatapr100]

I think our mix wasn't thick enough, can we screw the spots that won't stick?

[@RalphBucci]

It really needs to be as close to 100% coverage as possible. Maybe cut the section out that didn’t stick and re-do it.

[@hmg8915]

What size trowel are using to set the mat?

[@RalphBucci]

I use a 1/4” square notch trowel to set the mat.

[@hmg8915]

@@RalphBucci Thanks

[@claireward7974]

Can you put a heated mat on it before tiling?

[@RalphBucci]

I believe you can but it’s a different method and I’ve never done it before.

[@stevemohr1424]

I installed this and tiled. 3 days later, the adhesive hasn't cured? Any ideas please?

[@RalphBucci]

What kind of mortar did you use?

[@alancastle3917]

Doesn’t red guard suggest modified thin set?

[@danielizzo1401]

Where did you find the matt?? Never seen this anywhere eveythingbis ditra blah blah blah

[@RalphBucci]

I get all of my stuff from Home Depot.

[@oogabooga123654789]

Any issues with versabond on the plywood? I'm about to do the same and bought versa bond for it. On the label it says not to bond directly with wood. Thanks

[@RalphBucci]

We’ve never had any issues. We use mud that is acceptable to use over plywood (sold at Home Depot). Not sure exactly what it is off the top of my head though.

[@The_Absent_MindsetReality]

@@RalphBucci versabond....it says not to use it on osb or plywood directly without a primer.

[@alancastle3917]

Mapei is a great product!

[@AllBayEveryDay]

Worst decoupling membrane ever!!! It curls up in the corners unless you unroll the whole roll the night before or you have to use tile to hold it down. It’s a pain to move around because the fiber underneath sticks to the subfloor. I rather pay more for ditra

[@RalphBucci]

Yeah, the corners do tend to roll up but we use a staple gun and a staple them down and it seems to work pretty good!

[@mrphilbert1]

Your filler music is way, way too loud.

[@teamteatime822]

Thanks for this!