Ditra Failures??

MattCoops · Apr 7, 2006

What don't you understand? I'll clarify it for you.

rsss396375 · Aug 11, 2008

PrecisionFloors said:
The biggest reason for failure is not following directions. The thinset used to install the Dita must be modified and it must be mixed loose enough to ensure good saturation of the fleece.

Good call
This is the biggest issue for good adhesion. Mix almost a watery consistancy, not as though you are used to when setting. You should be able to see a grayish color consistant through the Ditra orange.

reveivl · May 29, 2005

...the 2020 T&A publications...

I guess you'd want 20/20 if you had publications like this to look at...:jester:

Jerry T · Sep 25, 2003

reveivl said:
Yes, but did it work?:jester:

It's been a few years ago, but that poster left me scratching my head ....... you have to go way out of your way to put Ditra in upside down.

rfrymier · Feb 11, 2009

Has anyone applied ditra for exterior use beneath stone tile on stairway from house to patio?

Bud Cline · Feb 12, 2006

Has anyone applied ditra for exterior use beneath stone tile on stairway from house to patio?

Why would anyone want to?

buildenterprise · Dec 4, 2007

According to Schluter you're supposed to use UN-modified mortar to install the Ditra.

PrecisionFloors said:
The biggest reason for failure is not following directions. The thinset used to install the Ditra must be modified and it must be mixed loose enough to ensure good saturation of the fleece. Then the Ditra must be embedded in the thinset with direct pressure. I use a wall paper roller, but a grout float, flat side of a trowel, drywall knife, etc. will work. The key to installing it is getting the fleece properly embedded in the thinset. Outside of that I know of no failures.

Bill_Vincent · Apr 6, 2005

Over concrete, it's either/ or. The MUST use unmodified is for installing the tile over the Ditra.

angus242 · Oct 20, 2007

I'm not going to question each person's views on how they install Ditra.
However, the Ditra Installation Handbook says:
Ditra installed over wood, use modified.
Ditra installed over cement, use unmodified.
Always unmodified to set tile over Ditra.

PrecisionFloors · Jan 24, 2006

buildenterprise said:
According to Schluter you're supposed to use UN-modified mortar to install the Ditra.

Actually you're supposed to use thinset suitable for the substrate you're setting on, which in the context of the first post of this thread, is a wood sub-floor, which would require a latex modified mortar

:thumbsup:

edit: Damn...didn't even see The Colonel's post. What he said.

jarvis design · May 6, 2008

rfrymier said:
Has anyone applied ditra for exterior use beneath stone tile on stairway from house to patio?

I did my front step/walkway with ditra. Installed 12x24 porcelain on top with epoxy grout.

I haven't given it a good cleaning yet from the winter, but, it looks exactly like it did when I did it last fall.

MF Custom · May 3, 2009

PrecisionFloors said:
The biggest reason for failure is not following directions. The thinset used to install the Dita must be modified and it must be mixed loose enough to ensure good saturation of the fleece. Then the Ditra must be embedded in the thinset with direct pressure. I use a wall paper roller, but a grout float, flat side of a trowel, drywall knife, etc. will work. The key to installing it is getting the fleece properly embedded in the thinset. Outside of that I know of no failures.

Better check into using modified thinset with Ditra, It say right on the instructions in BOLD "USE ONLY NON MODIFIED THINSET"

PrecisionFloors · Jan 24, 2006

MF Custom said:
Better check into using modified thinset with Ditra, It say right on the instructions in BOLD "USE ONLY NON MODIFIED THINSET"

Have you read the WHOLE post.....something tells me not. Scroll up. It's right there for your very own eyes to see

R&D Tile · Apr 5, 2005

MF Custom said:
Better check into using modified thinset with Ditra, It say right on the instructions in BOLD "USE ONLY NON MODIFIED THINSET"

For setting tile only, you need modified for installing Ditra over plywood.

Bill_Vincent · Apr 6, 2005

MF Custom-- Nobody's perfect-- not even me!

Jerry T · Sep 25, 2003

Bill_Vincent said:
MF Custom-- Nobody's perfect-- not even me!

Me neither Bill :no: :laughing:

MF Custom · May 3, 2009

I just posted what Ditras instructions say right on the label.
"USE NON MODIFIED THINSET ONLY" but I would think over plywood you are correct it should be modified thinset.

angus242 · Oct 20, 2007

MF Custom said:
I just posted what Ditras instructions say right on the label.
"USE NON MODIFIED THINSET ONLY" but I would think over plywood you are correct it should be modified thinset.

Actually I posted what's on the instructions...even with pictures:
http://www.contractortalk.com/f73/ditra-failures-51079/index2/#post668041

JohnFRWhipple · Oct 20, 2009

Exterior decks and Ditra Failure (Canadian Installations)

Have you men read this thread on John Bridges site?

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=83568

I have not been able to shake this new training I received at Mapei and the story of the Whistler Builder who ripped out all the Ditra from his exterior deck because he "Hates" it and does not think it is suited for exterior use in our Canadian Climate.

Only one poster touched on what I think the root problem can be and that is the little dovetails holding water and the freeze thaw cycles expanding and pulling on the Kerdi Seams.

You will notice as well that the Ditra is layed across the slope creating little dams so the water will be held up every 3 feet...

My deck is still getting soaked. I Hydro Banned it till Spring time and think I'm going to try Nobel Deck as my Primary waterproofing material...

Now to get it approved for use in Canada.

angus242 · Oct 20, 2007

John,

There were many installer issues with that deck. In that climate, that install was bound to fail.

Ditra Failures??

MattCoops

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rfrymier

Bud Cline

buildenterprise

Bill_Vincent

angus242

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