Importance of Schluter Shower Kit

[nerd]

How worthwhile is it to use this? I've seen it on Holmes on Homes and am telling the person who's paying for our bathroom to use it, but she says that it's too expensive.

Shower tray, 48" x 48" (122 cm x 122 cm)
Shower curb, 48" x 6" x 4-1/2" (122 cm x 15 cm x 11.5 cm)
Waterproofing membrane, 3' 3" x 33' (1 m x 10 m)
Waterproofing strip, 5" x 33' (125 mm x 10 m)
Drain, with integrated bonding flange
Waterproofing corners - inside and outside

Worthwhile?

[audit13]

Will the shower walls consist of drywall and tile? If yes, I would recommend using some sort of membrane. A cheaper solution may be a fiberglass shower stall. I installed a shower enclosure when I renovated my house and I couldn't be happier.

[nerd]

It will be tiled, and whatever's back there now will probably stay, most likely drywall - unfortunately. I asked her to rip it out and do a nice new cement board shower + tub.

[sledbc]

to do a tile base you don't need the schluter kit but you need some sort of waterproofing membrane under the tiles. Depends who's doing the labour and how much they're charging and if they're familiar with the kit or not. You can build a curb and do a drypack base with a showerpan liner.
My question though, If you're leaving drywall on the walls and tiling over it why even bother doing anything?

[nerd]

My question though, If you're leaving drywall on the walls and tiling over it why even bother doing anything?Grout isn't water-proof.

[Krox]

Drywall is definitely not a good base for tile especially in a high moisture area. Even if you put a waterproof membranse over the drywall really isn't strong enough to support tile. Cement board is a must irregardless of waterproofing. Any moisture on the drywall will cause it to breakdown and you tile will fall off.

Then again, how long do you plan on staying in your house? So many people just do cosmetic renovations and leave the 'hidden problems" for the next owner

[CSK'sMom]

Nerd, put it this way.... If you don't do it right the first time it will cost 2-3 times as much down the road to fix it. If the shower leaks you will have mold problems. If it leaks and it's on the first or second floor you will have water damage on the floors under the shower.

I'm confused though, you keep talking about the "person that is paying for the reno". Are you a renter or do you own the house? If you're a renter you are SOL as the property owner will do what they deem is necessary only. If you own the home take the cash and do the job right. It's your property value that you are playing with....

[sledbc]

Grout isn't water-proof.

Thats what I'm saying....if theyre not going to do it right, why even bother starting?

[venice_it]

I fix a lot of water damage, and while I don't fix the actual cause of the leaks, it seems much of the problem is poor maintenance of the caulking around the base, edges and the drains. Sometimes shower doors and thresholds allow water to spill away from the shower onto the bathroom floor and then make it's way to damage the ceiling below.

While cement board is best imo, especially for stand up showers, water making it's way past the tile is going to cause a problem. The cement board has seams at the edges and water will find a way through and cause problems if it gets past the tile layer.

I have seen a black water-proofing product used very rarely that is painted on drywall/cementboard as a water-barrier. Something like this would probably be effective and smart to use if you are using an expensive product like stone or marble to tile with.

[CSK'sMom]

I have seen a black water-proofing product used very rarely that is painted on drywall/cementboard as a water-barrier. Something like this would probably be effective and smart to use if you are using an expensive product like stone or marble to tile with.

Venice, the black product that you are talking about absolutely cannot be used with natural stone (marble, granite, etc.). Natural stones require specific products that will not bleed into or discolor the stone... The product that you mention was never intended for interior waterproofing if we're talking about the same product,it is/was exterior foundation waterproofing. Some "renovators" tried using it to upsell their jobs and warranties...

[venice_it]

I have only seen this product very rarely on very high end jobs that used expensive stone work. These tile guys knew their stuff and the product was designed for this particular purpose and apparently quite expensive. Once the product was dry it felt very durable and not likely to bleed.

At the same time, I'm just the drywall taper on the jobs and have no idea about the product and how it performs over time. It just seemed like a good concept for those that are overly concerned about leaks. I can tell you, most times the seams are taped in bathrooms and showers with good old drywall tape and mud that have absolutely no water resistant properties. No matter what boarding is used, the water will have no problem getting behind it if it gets past the tiles and regular drywall tape has been used.

[nerd]

the reason i mention "The person that is paying for it" is because we live with family and one of our family members is getting it done.