How to Waterproof a Shower Bench Using Wedi (Step-by-Step)

Here's the question: what's a good way to waterproof a shower bench made from 2x4s? Today we share how to use Wedi to completely waterproof a bench and it's super easy.
For more home improvement tips visit www.homerepair...
Helpful Links:
Impact Driver -- amzn.to/2HekWib
FEIN Multi Tool -- tinyurl.com/ya...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first step is to dry fit a Wedi building panel over the curb. Cut a notch out of the Wedi panel such that it will fit down over the Lean curb.
Clean the rabbet cut in the Wedi Fundo Primo shower pan and ensure there's no debris or thin-set in it. Then apply a generous bead of Wedi Joint Sealant in the rabbet and over the Lean curb where it meets the shower bench.
Mark the stud locations on the bench top. And embed the Wedi building panel into the rabbet and Wedi Joint Sealant.
Start the first screws/washers for the panel about 4 inches above the shower pan. Then add screws every 8 inches after that along the stud.
Cut Wedi panels flush with the bench top using a utility knife. Then smooth out Wedi Joint Sealant that oozed between the panel and shower pan. Finish adding all the screws and washers to the vertical panels.
Dry fit the Wedi panel that will be the bench top. Cut a notch in this panel so it fits flush with the stud wall.
Dampen the wood bench top with a sponge. Apply thin-set to the top of the shower bench and bottom of the Wedi panel. Use directional troweling such that all the ridges face the same direction.
Set the Wedi bench top and check that it slopes toward the shower yet is level moving left to right.
Seal the edges and screws/washers with Wedi Joint Sealant to completely waterproof the shower bench.
If you missed our last video, it shows how to frame or construct a shower bench and could be very helpful
• Shower Bench Seat Fram...

[@openhand7502]

Wedi instructional vids recommend not contaminating edges that have to be sealed with their caulk with thin-set. Also to apply caulk before joining panels for full coverage at joint. Do you think the cap panel on that bench will be a problem?

[@AnimalExplorer]

I thought it was imperative that the blue notches were to be exposed so that the joint compound (Wedi glue sealer) is to make contact to the compressed blue foam sandwiched centers of the Wedi board? There are several instances where you do not create the 1/2" notches(Example 1 starts at: 1:27), but directly glue onto the curb where only the black surface is exposed and only the wall panels foam edge will make contact with the glue.

[@eo89TX]

Thanks for the great instructional videos! I see you're using what looks like Rockwool insulation - should a polymeric vapor barrier be placed between the Wedi and the insulation if on an exterior wall?

[@chowsman1]

Do you have a video on the tiling of this bench?

[@mattwagoner8597]

I'm doing the same thing but using Schluter-Kerdi Board. Will the Kerdi Board hold up if you thinset it to the bench top? Seems like it would get crushed.

[@bennyferranti4548]

Can you use metal studs inside the bathroom

[@jgalibois]

There aren't supposed to be any screws in a vertical surface within 12" of the floor. The insertion of a vertical panel into the groove along the edge of the base is supposed to be sufficient to hold the lowest, foot-long portion of the vertical/wall panel against its backing. Also, a groove along the top of the the end of the curb should have been cut before the curb was installed. This groove would accept the vertical panel on the front of the bench in the same way that the groove along the edge of the base does. That's the proper way to create a seam where horizontal & vertical surfaces meet. With that in mind, there's no way now to correctly attach the 1/2-inch board that was used on the top of the bench to the vertical board(s) that will be used on the adjoining walls behind and beside the bench. Using 1-inch board as a bench top would have allowed the cutting of grooves along the edges so that proper seams could be fashioned.

[@howardheno1628]

Is there any reason that one can't use the kerdi method of installing the verticals first then waterproofing the seams? The products seem similar.

[@wisconsinwoodsman1987]

When you tile, will you grout the top joint where the top of bench meets the front "leg" area, or treat it as a 90 degree, change of plane and caulk it?

[@Ruso_Moose]

Can you apply anything to the top of the plywood (besides thinset) incase water gets under the Wedi? I've seen some people use 40 mil pan liner, but not sure how they got thinset to adhere to the pan liner when putting cement board ontop?

[@ByPennyMorgan]

Such a great question, sucks they are not replying 😕

[@justingreen5085]

Personally I wrap my benches with rock, then put pan over just front lip, then rerock. As with my soap boxes and bench corners I tape and thinset tight joints....the trick is using redguard in proper way I typically use 4-6coats and have NEVER had a leak in the hundreds and hundreds of showers I've done. Keep screws minimal in bench area, make sure your level for water run off is right. You don't run thinset over pan, it will not adhere and will crack and pop. You can reguard the wood if would like but I've never done this....just remember to always work from bottom up keeping in mind your seams and how water runs down....soap box Over walls, bench top Over bench face, walls Over floor. Walls Over bench, Curb Over floor and walls, knee wall top Over walls. *Note; No Screw...EVER goes below about 4 inches piercing pan.... ever.

[@Andrahh1]

Thank you!!

[@dmitryburak]

Is Wedi similar to Densshield? It looks like it, and I install Densshield in the same way, but using bath silicone for all joints, except of screws.

[@460sw3]

Such an awesome system!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Very versatile, and those panels are perfect for shower benches. Super sturdy.

[@designerdrains8544]

Great video!

[@jew_world_order]

will this style bench work if I don't have a back wall to mount the back of the bench to, just a side wall? Or will it be wobbly due to no back wall support?

[@ryansmith1926]

Whats the adhesive you are using ?? And whats the board ?

[@sweetsilage]

Where did it leak and do you know why?

[@msmales555]

Do you guys prefer to use Wedi or Kerdi-board/Schluter products? Also, I believe you guys are in the Pgh area, right? I tend to only find a good assortment of schluter products at Lowes at the Waterfront. Where do you tend to buy your Wedi and Schluter goods? Thanks!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Thanks Mike for asking and yes we’re in Pittsburgh. Schluter and wedi make great products. We do prefer wedi in many instances but that doesn’t mean it’s the only solution. Best Tile in Wexford has a wonderful selection of Schluter products, and all the metal profiles. Plus they carry Ardex and Mapei products. We really like Ardex and Mapei thin-set mortar. And Best Tile has a great selection of ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles. Pittsburgh Glass Block in Etna carries wedi and they’re very helpful. The Tile Shop also has wedi but we prefer a Pgh Glass

[@ByersLeafguard]

Nice video.

[@Diverstj70]

Is there a reason you're not using pressure treated lumber in a damp location like that? That way if water or moisture does penetrate it will at least last a whole lot longer than non-pressure treated I would think.

[@kyleorr533]

I remember seeing some videos on why not to do this, but from what I remember 1) if you use lumber that’s still ‘wet’ from treatment, it’s going to change dimensionally and potentially give you problems with tile and 2) there’s the potential for it to leach copper or a bluish green discoloration in to your shower. Your walls in your shower are untreated…just go with untreated and waterproof it well.

[@quillpigz]

No Thinset on bench betwen plywood and foam board?

[@sawyerramos3113]

using wood in the shower seems like asking for trouble. Why not use cynder blocks, and seal it?

[@6cooks68]

there's wood (studs) in the walls so what is the difference? personally I wouldn't use the plywood, instead use the 2" foam board (for the seat) but method shown is cheaper.

[@christopherd7922]

Nice video. I’m doing the same exact bench in my bathroom, but I’m using Durock. Do you think that I should screw it down to the plywood or do what you did and just thinset the top?

[@itscalledhiphop3063]

Thinset will be fine as long as you slope and waterproof

[@itscalledhiphop3063]

There are paintable waterproofing methods such as redgaurd

[@creedbarnett4948]

Nice! Would you still use wood framing with a slab on grade foundation?

[@LonlyFans405]

I’m on slab and my bench is framed. Unfortunately it’s leaking. Now I’m having to rebuild lol.

[@quillpigz]

Was this 22" from shower floor or from slab?

[@networkguy993]

what is the height of that shower bench? is there a standard height?

[@jeffw8057]

If I recall, in an earlier video...the finished height of the bench was planned to be around 23". According to the contractor, between 20 -26" is typical.

[@mlm8836]

Been looking at your excellent videos for shower ideas. Thank you very much for all you guys do. I have learned so much from them. My opinion is shower benches are painfully ugly fad that hopefully will be out of style very quickly. Do people even use them? The additional effort to install such a permanent space-waster seems not to be worth it (to me). I just wouldn't buy a house which had one of these ugly shower benches in it. Why not buy a beautiful minimalist teak A-bench which can be moved or replaced with something you like better in five years after you undergo a taste reboot. Taking out these bulky built in benches is going to be nearly impossible given how they are so painstakingly integrated into the waterproofing. I doubt people even use them. Why would anyone want to sit on a damp bench in the shower. Put your foot up on a lovely wooden bench or a built in footrest higher than bum height. Thats just my view though. Would be interesting to hear if others find these chunky space blockers useful or worth the additional hassle and enhanced risk of leaks. What is your view of benches? Do you recommend them?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

You bring up good points and I’d leave it to the homeowner to decide. Some benches are being installed with heated walls and seats. That’s really cool. Personally I’d opt for no bench because I’m not there to lounge. But to each his/her own. I’d much rather have a shower niche

[@mlm8836]

Definitely a matter of taste. Yeah not there to lounge lol. I get it. You have to get back to your editing software to get the next video up so no time to luxuriate and chill on the shower bench. Keep the tips coming your teaching is so valuable.

[@almacintosh161]

Benches are good for older people, also for women who shave their legs.

[@jeffw8057]

My wife claims that ALL women want benches in showers...

[@wudluv2]

I’m not sure about that system holding up in the long term due to flexing. The humidity will eventually get to the plywood and make it flexible. The foam is also dense and flexible therefore making it not a good surface for tile and pressure of someone sitting on it. There is a big potential for the tiles to come up with time.

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

In the UK what is Wedi equivalent ?

[@grizzly8859]

Wedi. It comes from Germany

[@justingreen5085]

Dude, that's got to be the Worst system for "waterproofing" I just tore 2 showers up with this same system and it was Completely wet. I've not in 15+yrs had 1 callback for any problem but I don't do benches that way ...."caulking" are you serious? That whole thing should be wrapped with a pan, rocked, then redguarded.

[@Andy-jl2rm]

Puncture pan that’s on top of the bench after screwing down the rock to bench top?

[@johnnyshaooni398]

So here is my question is the mud shower better or wedi shower better what u guys think ?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Depends on who’s installing. Good mud pans that are properly installed and waterproofed are just as good. But will the installer warranty their work for 10 years?

[@johnnyshaooni398]

@@HomeRepairTutor well if I do wedi one with good installer how many years will less ? I mean tabout he warranty ?

[@ThelifeandtimesofBarneyTaylor]

Oscillating tool we call it the cool tool

[@nicholasvankorngut7293]

He didn’t caulk the front of the bench to the side??? He forgot?

[@cohenkevinloriqueen818]

I think it will work for a while, and then it will leak.....

[@wmt.1823]

Looks like a halfassed job...kinda like you were winging it. Thank you for letting me know what system to avoid.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Have you ever used Wedi or been to a workshop? You should know the specifics of the system before ruling it out or assuming it was installed incorrectly. This installation was done correctly and per Wedi instructions.

[@jonathandoud1]

you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. This is one of if not THE simplest systems to install ever.

[@wmt.1823]

Jonathan Doud .. Well Doug, You obviously are the final authority on this system and my experience... With over 25 years of experience as a general contractor having to deal with failing waterproofing systems claiming to be the “Simplest and easiest” way, I’ve learned that simple and easy are not the “Best”. But thank you for your reply... good luck with the simpletons.

[@jonathandoud1]

You may be a 25 year "pro", but you have no idea how to read names on the internet? Nice. My name is Jonathan. Arrogance is a funny thing, so instead of acting like your 25 years means you know it all, why don't you look up Wedi and do the research yourself. I'm a certified Wedi installer and I've been doing this for almost as long as you have, but unlike you, I have been open to new concepts and technology. Wedi is simply the best and easiest way to put in a waterproof installation. I'm tiling in a day. Warranted for 20 years.

[@jonathandoud1]

I sure will enjoy my career because I don't have to deal with people like you - oh, and I'll be sure and tell everyone I know about your reply too! Have a great day!

[@edsurpes5283]

Dirty all over the place, not a skilled worker.

[@nitenite7142]

A better idea is not to use plywood in a shower just saying

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Just curious, what would you use instead of plywood? And are you a contractor?

[@krehbein]

WEDI haters here need to do their homework and research. Do you think this company has made it for 37 years by putting out products that fail? They put out excellent products, look at their examples: us.wedi.de/