Failed how? Besides the slope/bowled issue? And isn't the kerdi supposed to overlap the drain flange? (I forget.)

 

They definitely didn’t use the right trowel to install the tile!

 

Is this supposed to be surprising? It's not.

 

The Kerdi is cut correct around the drain. I cut a piece of the Kerdi off and there was no thin set under it, also the drain is not embedded flush with the styrofoam base and the grate is higher than the tile where the one tile still remains. Old customer of mine has a rental house they are trying to sell and wanted me to look at it. I had to tell them i am to busy to do it. My carpal tunnel surgery 3 and 1/2 weeks ago was also a great excuse.

 

The Kerdi is cut correct around the drain.

Not according to Schluter.

 

I am surprised someone bothered to Schluter the shower but accepted such awful tile install and base slope.
That is hackalicious. Hurts to look at it actually.

 

On top of that they probably used a cheap grout which started the failure?

 

It was one of those "a friend my daughter works with husband did the work"

 

Some friend

 

I guess he did not understand the instructions if he even read them

 

I usually take a Schluter before I take a shower

 

Not the first failure of that system I've seen.

 

When I was a warranty agent for solid surface manufacturers, there were three possible diagnosis's: 1. Manufacturer defect, 2. Fabricator/installer error, 3. Customer abuse.
This isn't manufacturer defect or customer abuse; it's clearly installer error. Let's not blame a nearly foolproof waterproofing system with decades of success on the ignorance of a fool please.

 

Some of the kerdi drains are smaller diameter than .
Probably the wrong thin set was used.

 

I posted above that i cut the Kerdi away and it looked like there was no thin set at all under the Kerdi. Real hack job.

 

Never mind that comment about the drain.

 

In addition to no thinset he forgot the kerdi ring that goes around the drain. The hole is correct but he forgot the ring. The drains have changed, hole is much bigger and another kerdi ring goes around the drain
I think this is the 3rd change to the drains I have seen

page 28 and 29

https://sccpublic.s3-external-1.amazonaws.com/sys-master/images/h8c/h92/9346680815646/Shower%20System%20Installation%20Handbook.pdf

 

This base is the old style styrofoam base. It is not pre covered with Kerdi. There was no Kerdi ring around the the old style Schluter shower bases. I have installed a bunch of the older style. It’s hack work but it is correctly cut around the drain.

 

If you follow the instructions rrk linked to, you're never going to have a leak. Show me leaking Schluter and I'll show you an illiterate.

 

The reps that host the Schluter trainings advised us that if ever found a leaking install that we couldn’t figure out, just call them.

When they aren’t doing trainings or selling product, they are investigating bad installs.


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If it were correctly cut around the drain, it wouldn't have failed.

 

I suspect it would still wick moisture back under the felt....unless one were to silicone or kerdi-caulk it down at the drain.

 

@nikko What was the customer's actual complaint? Leaking shower or loose/missing tiles?

It might be a sloppy job, but the Kerdi is cut in the right place. It appears to cover most of the bonding flange. The Kerdi isn't supposed to cover the black adjustment ring.

A lack of thinset adhering the Kerdi to the bonding flange would obviously cause leaks. Poor tile installation alone should not cause a leak. It would be nice to know if a flood test was performed.



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Well, at least we can all see why Schluter changed it.

 

These systems are simultaneously ingenious and ridiculous.

 

The latest generation pan comes with the Kerdi applied to the pan. The drain body gets embedded in the recess with thin set. During the waterproofing/banding process there is a Kerdi piece that came with the drain you install over the flange to seal the drain body.

These systems are easy if you read the instructions which come with every kit.

I stated there was no metal in this system, which is true for what is pictured. Schulter does make a stainless steel drain body for special situations. The body gets embedded with thin set, but you must use Kerdi Fix to adhere the Kerdi sealing piece.

Tom

 

We still haven't heard if the failure was a leak or loose tiles. Obviously the pan has to be be replaced either way, but I am still curious.

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I looked in the basement and did not see any signs of leaking. There is no ceiling in the basement so i could see the plywood under the shower. The failure as far as i know is the loose tile but like i said it looks to me like there is no thin set under the Kerdi. The whole shower was a big hack job.

 

A few sequence pics of a Kerdi drain flange (set in deck mud) kerdi with cutout, drain grate with setting ring and adjustment collar.

 

I know you can use drywall behind the Kerdi but I never felt right doing it so when I was using the membrane on the walls I used light weight cement board. I pretty much switched to Kerdi board. Faster easier and less mess.

 

I know you can use drywall behind the Kerdi

I think it’s supposed to go a little higher though.