Questions & Answers

I'm cutting out all of my Kerdi pieces, getting ready to finish waterproofing around the tub surround today.

I used a piece of blue painter's tape to hold a piece on the wall and when I removed the tape a thin layer of membrane came off with the tape. Is this ok and normal? If I pulled tape off a primed wall and a layer of primer came off I would assume it was a problem.

I'm not experienced with either Tile Redi or Schluter, but there is absolutely no question Tile Redi boards are easier to work with than drywall or the Kerdi membrane (For me). Aside from being waterproof throughout, the boards are so easy to work with and seem to be very, very forgiving. You can sand them, you can use a hand plane/rasp on them, you can snap cut them, cut them with a saw, easy to work with. Plus, no corners that blow out, no paper that tears, no fasteners breaking through paper...If I would have known how easy these boards are to use, I'd have done the entire bathroom with them. The shorter heights (compared to drywall sheets) make it easier to fine tune wall flatness without worrying about destroying the board...you can use the same fastener hole when loosening or completely removing a fastener. It is taking me longer to cut out all the kerdi pieces than it took me to install and apply sealant to all the Redi Boards.

Redi Sealant, as long as it doesn't get brittle and crack with age...really leaves no question you have complete waterproofing when applied between boards, in the flange overlaps, corners, and where the board abuts other objects. The stuff is goopy and super sticky.

For one area I used Kerdi Fix to adhere Redi Board and then use Redi Sealant on the top seam to waterproof. Kerdi fix seems to be a really good adhesive.