How to Waterproof a Shower (Hydro Ban Board) -- by Home Repair Tutor

[@dennyk2585]

I went with Duroc and Redguard on my tub/shower surround. Price was the factor for me. Your videos have been beyond helpful in assisting me with my bathroom basement finishing project. Thank you so much!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Awesome, great to hear you’re making good progress! Keep up the hard work 👍🏻

[@dennyk2585]

Side note if u r willing to offer advice.....tiling my tub/shower. With 9x12 ceramic tile. The side from the floor to my last row of tile is on top of the tub is 19 inches. That leaves a one inch gap at the floor not counting grout spacing. Any suggestions to fix this issue?

[@davidwatchesyoutube247]

75 tubes of sealant were used in the making of this video. Good work. Won’t leak ever.

[@460sw3]

I dato out the back of the board where it goes over the tub flange. (With foam boards) so quick and easy! Great video guys!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Great tip, we should do that in a future video!

[@460sw3]

@@HomeRepairTutor sorry I haven't been watching and liking a lot, been super busy since February. I'm grateful.....but exhausted lol. Glad you guys are staying busy and making videos to help folks out!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

@@460sw3 no problem, thanks so much for watching and commenting, great to hear you're doing well!!!

[@fd3871]

that's some next level thinking

[@kenhoward127]

@@fd3871 That's standard procedure for Wedi board... so glad 460 made the comment though. I was looking for it.

[@teh60]

Looks like a great system. I like the way you guys demonstrate the installation of all these waterproof systems. It seems like installing foam board compared to drywall or cement board would make the install so much easier. Great video.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Thank you, foam boards are a lot easier. Admittedly they’re not the only option but we like them a lot

[@never2be07]

Hmm never heard of them I’ll look them up. Thank you

[@timleary1627]

I fast forward most videos but not yours because you end up hitting the fine points and pro tips I was wondering about, that most guys gloss over or fail to properly explain. I always feel like I got even more info than you promised in your preamble. kind of amazing. thanks guys, keep it up. do you have a preference- or pros and cons list maybe- on kerdi board vs. hydro ban board? I watched your vids on both and am still on the fence.

[@user-handymanjp]

Do you like the Laticrete better than Schluter system? If so, what’s the pros vs cons?

[@crawdoogie]

I use a router table to back cut the edge of the board to go over the tub flange. You could also use a router with an edge guide attached to it.

[@arabellaschannel]

Can this hold heavy tile? I was thinking of using cement board with redguard but am open to foam. My tile is fairly heavy though at 4 pounds per square foot. Also want to tile the ceiling above the shower and want to make sure there are no 12x24" falling tiles!

[@oleksandrivenskyi1820]

Thank you, Guys, for your videos. Great job, clear explanation makes the desired access to your online courses. Definitely will do that. Thank you to all who made this content.

[@luke9822]

Are there other approved screws for Hydro ban board besides Laticrete brand?

[@danielfeldman7913]

Great video! The magic question...are there any elements to the Hydro Ban system that you like better than the Schluter system? I just finished a bathroom using Schluter, and liked it for the most part, but curious what's good about this system as well. Thank you!

[@hereticxxx9317]

There is more then 1 way to make the board fully water proof. Kerdi is a 1 way fits all.

[@jgkrus]

How to get walls flat for tiling? We all know how everything is squared right.... I have seen several ways how to do this from shims, to Ferring strips to sister studs. What do you suggest.... I am going to use Hydro Ban system by Laticrete... Its more in my price range and this is a upstairs bathroom that gets very little use.

[@jeffdeluca1153]

I believe the laticrete rep told me to leave a 1/4" gap at the tub deck. I see you installed it tight. What's the proper way to do this? Newbie here 😊

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Does filling the flange area prevent any expansion from happening. I was under the impression you use silicone there for expansion. Help me understand. Thx

[@skyace888]

Would this work the same with metal studs?

[@Dtileandremodeling]

Awesome video.I have a video aswell on installing this board. IMO this is one of the best boards currently on the market!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Totally agree

[@tonyp3354]

Great video! I noticed you placed the 1/4" strips on the back, but on the sides you placed on top of the flange, why is that ? And did you place the back panel directly on top of the tub, or did you leave a gap? Thanks again!

[@johnwhite2576]

What is laticrete sealant ? What is special ? Coudl you not use silicone or polyurethane ? I imagine its expensive and need multiple tubes per job

[@HomeRepairTutor]

you need Laticrete's Hydro Ban Adhesive and Sealant, and yes, you'll need about 1 tube per board

[@jamesraber690]

Love the video. We are doing our showers the same way. Where did you get that plastic corner trowel?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Awesome, that trowel is actually from Wedi, lol

[@Z_DiB]

I’m also in Pittsburgh, do you recommend a vapor barrier on the insulation if I use hydro ban board? It’s an exterior facing wall.

[@johnvalencia7488]

Did you use the Hydrogen water sealant on the Hydrogen boards, once they were attached to the studs? I didn't notice that after the boards were attached. Thank you!

[@Jacko2701]

What would you use if you have metal framing and wanted to go over the tub flange and what type of screws would you use?

[@patmac]

Good video. I'd put the top piece of the niche in first, then back, then bottom, then sides. Use sides and back to hold up top. Nice vid. Thanks

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

Nah, that's reverse flashing and bad practice. The foam is so light, the sealant holds it in place quite easily.

[@HergyTime]

this is 1000% what I'm using to do my next shower/tub install

[@HomeRepairTutor]

You’ll like it, awesome backer board

[@livelife7607]

Great video. Wish this came out last month.

[@JohnSmith-hl4bb]

Very fast way to do this, what kind of sealant you use???

[@HomeRepairTutor]

use Laticrete's Adhesive/Sealant for Hydro Ban Board

[@ogai111222333]

How many tubes were used?

[@miguelandrisani4224]

All the walls of my house are made out of cement (thick a** cement) , what would you recommend for waterproofing the walls ? Should I just paint it with waterproof goo and then tile right on top , or should I use some specific type of board ?! Please advise thankyouuuu !!

[@iamgeradm]

Do you use the mixing valve membrane seal when using the board?

[@never2be07]

So I have Thermo Ply vapor barrier sheets stapled to my exterior wall studs. Do I need to leave them, or do I remove them completely to use the Hydro Ban board?

[@paulperry1489]

I notice there is no seam tape in the corners. Will the hydro ban hold that well? Great video.

[@beyerun88]

Novice here... the info that I have found was that seam tape is only used for steam showers with the hydro ban systems.

[@ccreese9241]

I thought you were using Laticrete Adhesive/Sealant. But at one point, when building the niche, you say you are applying Latasil, which is a completely different product. Did you actually switch to Latasil, or did you just mispeak? Love the video!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

just mis-spoke, only use Hydroban Adhesive when building niches. Silicone is for tile corners

[@thaikarate1]

The screws are expensive. So are the sealant. Are there any alternatives just as good but cost less?

[@ccreese9241]

What blade do you use for your multi-tool? I see ones for wood and ones for other substances, but I can't figure out which one to use for cutting Laticrete Hydro Ban Board.

[@sonofthunder.]

Steve,is soooo fast,and good,I think I like sealinant,over kerdi band,interesting no washers like schluter,

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Schluter Kerdi-Board still needs washers. Hydro Ban Board only needs washers for ceiling application. Foam boards are certainly a fast option

[@MrGopher77]

I’d still use Schluter washers on HydroBan - they’ll hold boards better 👍

[@CrazyGuyBlahBlah]

I still prefer concrete backer with HydroBan rolled on. The strong rigidity of the concrete prevents movement that would cause grout cracks to form.

[@LVCID777]

Can you add led lighting inside the niche?

[@never2be07]

Laticrete says you need a 1/4 inch gap tub deck to board, but I noticed Steve just slams it to the deck. I’m a little confused 🤷‍♂️

[@dougwright111]

So Kerdi, Wedi, or Hydro? Which is best?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

They’re all good, and it depends on the shower. We tend to consider Wedi for curbless showers but Schluter now has options. Laticrete has a complete system: board, pans, thin-set, and grout. They’re probably the company with the most shower building options.

[@dougwright111]

I used Kerdi for a bath/shower remodel following your guidance a couple of years ago...it turned out great. May try the Laticrete for my next shower stall remodel project...looks easier. Thanks guys!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

@@dougwright111 both are great options, we like boards a little better than membranes

[@Dtileandremodeling]

All are quality products.Use what you prefer

[@hereticxxx9317]

All are quality systems, but i find latticrete has many installation options( ways to make it water proof) to fit budgets.

[@aptlogix]

when you install the board, is it perfectly flush with the dry wall? my studs are all level but i still see 1/32 bump going from board to dry wall. I was wondering what to do with it. I have not put sealant yet

[@highcountryoutdoor]

I just wanted to say thanks for such a great video. Incredibly informative and helpful covering everything needed for Hydro Ban board installation in a bath/shower combo!! Thank you!!

[@richardbourdeau1779]

Why did he install the wall board on the top of the tub flange on the front and rear wall and on the back wall he put it down onto the tub shelf?

[@richardhebert1584]

What about to cut the back of the The foam board 1/4 by 1”

[@iiirtsiii]

Why not notch the back of the board so it can go over the flange?

[@chrissimon8403]

So what is behind that niche wall ?because it looks like you installed another wall in front of it so you could make the niche.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Just drywall, there's an adjacent laundry room on the other side. So we had to use the sealant to attach the board

[@chrissimon8403]

@@HomeRepairTutor Ok I see it was an existing wall already.

[@chrissimon8403]

Just wondering why the back wall's board was set on the tub but the side boards were set on the flange or did I miss something? Couldn't you have furred them out as well Thanks Chris

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Great question, we added the 1/4" plywood over the back wall studs. This allowed us to slide the Hydro Ban Board down over the tub flange. However, on the other walls we couldn't add the 1/4" plywood because that would bump the Hydro Ban Board out from the existing drywall. So, in order for the 1/2" Hydro Ban Board to sit flush with the 1/2" drywall we chose not to shim the other stud walls. Hope that makes sense?

[@chrissimon8403]

@@HomeRepairTutor Ok, yes I see I actually forgot about that Thanks Chris Great vids. Keep them coming

[@HomeRepairTutor]

@@chrissimon8403 thank you, we shim the main wall to also save sealant, which tends to be expensive! Let us know if you have any other questions

[@rickfromthecape3135]

@@HomeRepairTutor Can Hydro Ban be wet shimmed?

[@papiofisher]

@@HomeRepairTutor is it ok to install the board in the tub. Aslong you use the sealanr adhesive??

[@johnkim1656]

All joints sealed with the adhesive without any membrane? Makes me nervous!

[@johnwhite2576]

Yes I believe Issac (The Tile Guy) who IS a latcrete product advocate and user has documented such a caulk failure in a shower floor/wall joint when there was no membrane run up 6 or so inches . That said, this is elegant simple and fast, no question, eps fro a tub vs a shower with the drain flange and wall/floor joint considerations .

[@tomorrowstools2159]

Great job🔵👍🔵

[@RaulTorresMorfin]

is the recessed light allowed? I thought code prohibits any light fixture or switch that can be "touched" while inside a tub or shower.....

[@stevewhite7962]

The recessed light in this shower was a sealed LED light. So no danger of touching a live wire. As far as distance to a tub or shower, that will vary based on electrical code adopted by your township or county

[@never2be07]

Where can I purchase Hydro Ban material

[@HomeRepairTutor]

DalTile typically has it

[@never2be07]

Thank you for the reply

[@krehbein]

How many tubes did you use of that sealant? It’s spendy, I’m tempted to use osi max (really good quality exterior sealant).

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

GoBoard says OSI QuadMax is an approved sealant for their foam board (along with a dozen or so others besides their branded sealant). All the sealants are almost-surely rebranded sealants from major manufacturers that are compatible with the foam used in their products.

[@krehbein]

@@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb good to know. With goboard, I’ve used liquid nails fuze it. Lately using sikabond construction adhesive as it’s rated for water immersion. Also can get 29oz tubes for $16 at Home Depot, so cheaper per oz then others.

[@dlawsonlawson1582]

Can you use this water proofing on cement board.

[@ONSLAWTT]

Why would you do that, there isn't any need too. Using this product allows you to skip the cement board; that's the whole point!

[@MrGopher77]

Apply HydroBan liquid membrane on top of cement boards and you’re good to go 👌

[@screaminpotato]

Why are there so many different types of water proofing? It's difficult to figure out which is best.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Very true. Each system has pros and cons. And it’s best to analyze what kind of shower or bathroom will be built. Then choose a system based on that assessment. We’d be happy to help as well

[@richardbrown4389]

Yet again great content. We are doing the same sort of thing but don’t have the professional video work. Any chance you could get a look and give advice?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Thank you, and we'd be happy to help. Let's talk via email, send one to [e-mail] and I'll give you some tips

[@richardbrown4389]

Home Repair Tutor thank you so much really appreciate it

[@HomeRepairTutor]

@@richardbrown4389 no problem, happy to help in any way. We have some suggestions that help

[@chrisl1873]

Oof dropping over top of the tub flange?? Isn't that a nono?

[@hemidesign]

15:00 are you sure that niche will fit a large shampoo bottle? I don't think so..

[@carlpfeiffer77]

I find it funny how he spends the time to fur out the back wall with 1/4” plywood to go over the tub flange, but just butts up to the top of the flange and uses sealant on the two sides. Why not just use sealant on the back wall? I agree with overlapping like you would with roofing, as sealant sometimes dries out and cracks, tears, etc.. 21 years as a remodeling contractor and former inspector.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

thank you, the side walls need to be flush with 1/2” drywall. Therefore furring our those walls will create more work and feathering with setting type joint compound.

[@ckconstruction5535]

Why not noch the back of the 1/2” board a 1/4” for the tub flange instead of spending all that time to fur out the wall?

[@fredflintstone2234]

How much are the boards? And where to purchase? Laticrete's website is confusing. Can you provide link? Between Hydro, Kerdi, and Schluter, which is cheapest? Thanks. Great video!

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Our board price is $25 per 3’x5’x1/2” but those are contractor prices. Here’s a link to find the local distributor laticrete.com/en/where-to-buy LATICRETE definitely is competitive with pricing

[@ccreese9241]

@@HomeRepairTutor It's weird though--the Laticrete website leaves out a lot of distributors. According to their website, there are no distributors where I live (Jonesboro, AR). But there is one! I only found out by word of mouth.

[@HomeRepairTutor]

@@ccreese9241 totally stinks, sorry that was the case. It's a shame how large companies cannot provide an accurate list of distributors. Some of our favorite thin-set mortars and waterproofing systems are very hard to find because of this problem. It's amazing how to this day some companies don't even have a list of distributors on their website!!

[@JoseOrellana29]

Here in Virginia there is not a lot of info on where to buy, but I found some of the distributors can order them. I ordered thru Emser

[@Baudesign]

Why would you use Hydro Ban Board when Wedi products look like a much better option? Price? Availability?

[@HomeRepairTutor]

We hadn’t tried the boards and heard good feedback from others. After installation and learning how they’re made - plus seeing their price point - HBB should be strongly considered. Their foam core is waterproof like Wedi and the cost is almost half, no brainer to try it out.

[@mikesoho4898]

Hydroban board is cheaper than Wedi and is a much faster install. Laticrete for the win

[@Dtileandremodeling]

BTW. Your not suppose to ever install the board over the flange,only down to it.Then fill the gap with LATICRETE sealant

[@richardblowers6875]

Wrong any tile backer should go over the flange. Read the TCNA code on this.

[@KamoNova]

I wish plywood was still $25 a sheet.

[@johnvalencia7488]

Hydroban