Installation Guide

Areas of Application
• Interior showers with or without curbless applications.
• Interior intermittent use steam showers (e.g., residential applications). See detail K-SSH
in the Schluter
®
-Shower System Installation Handbook for more information.
• Over wood or concrete subfloors. See the Base information under Requirements (below)
for details.
Limitations
• Certain glass tiles may not be compatible with bonded waterproof membranes and/or
may require special setting materials. Consult glass tile manufacturer and Schluter
®
-
Systems for more information.
• Certain moisture sensitive stones, e.g., green marble, or resin-backed tiles may not be
appropriate for use in wet areas such as showers or may require special setting materials.
Consult stone supplier and Schluter
®
-Systems for more information.
• Do not use sawn lumber curbs on concrete subfloors subject to moisture migration.
• KERDI-BOARD not for use in exterior applications.
Requirements
• Plywood, OSB, or concrete subfloor must be clean, even, and load bearing.
• For wood substrates, subfloor/underlayment configuration according to detail DH-W16-T,
DH-W19-T, DH-W24-T, or DH-W-S.
• For curbless applications: Recessing the floor of a bathroom must be done in a way that
preserves the structural integrity and safety of the construction. This may require the
services of a qualified design professional (e.g., architect, engineer, etc.).
• Solid backing – gypsum wallboard, cementitious backer unit, fiber-cement backerboard,
fiber-reinforced water-resistant gypsum backerboard, coated glass mat water-resistant
gypsum backerboard, Portland cement mortar, concrete, or masonry.
• Minimum KERDI-BOARD thickness – 1/2" (12.5 mm) for studs spaced at 16" (40.6 cm)
o.c. and 3/4" (19 mm) for studs spaced at 24" (61.0 cm) o.c.
• KERDI-BOARD shall be fastened to wood or metal framing with appropriate screws
(i.e., KERDI-BOARD-ZS or coarse thread wood screw for wood studs and self-tapping
for metal studs) and corresponding KERDI-BOARD-ZT washers. Screws must reach a
depth of at least 3/4" (20 mm) in wood studs and 3/8" (10 mm) in metal studs. Maximum
allowable on-center fastener spacing is 12" (30 cm) for walls and 6" (15 cm) for ceilings.
• KERDI or KERDI-BOARD shall be installed up to the height of the showerhead at
minimum. In enclosed shower areas, install KERDI waterproofing membrane on all
surfaces, including the ceiling, door jambs and the door header.
• It is the specifier's responsibility to treat and address all penetrations through the KERDI
membrane or KERDI-BOARD (e.g., showerhead, mixing valve, etc.) in the installation.
All penetrations must be treated with KERDI-SEAL-PS/-MV seals, KERDI-FIX or suitable
sealant.
• Base – KERDI-SHOWER-T/-TS/-TT/-LT/-LTS or Portland cement mortar bed.
• Ramp – KERDI-SHOWER-R or Portland cement mortar bed.
• Curb – KERDI-BOARD-SC, KERDI-BOARD, concrete, masonry block, or sawn lumber
sheathed with solid backing (see above).
• Bench – KERDI-BOARD-SB, KERDI-BOARD, concrete, masonry block, or sawn lumber
sheathed with solid backing (see above).
• All horizontal surfaces (e.g., benches, curbs, window sills, shelves, etc.) must be sloped
toward the shower drain.
• KERDI-DRAIN or KERDI-LINE/-VARIO shall be properly supported. Additional thin-set
mortar may be needed to bed the KERDI-DRAIN for this detail.
• KERDI-DRAIN or KERDI-LINE/-VARIO shall be connected to the waste line; use ABS
cement for ABS drains, PVC cement for PVC drains, a no-hub coupling for stainless steel
drains with no-hub outlets, and thread sealing compound or tape for stainless steel drains
with threaded outlets.
• When using the stainless steel KERDI-DRAIN bonding flange, use KERDI-FIX to bond
KERDI to the drain.
• DITRA-HEAT heating cables must be installed in the DITRA-HEAT/-PS or DITRA-
HEAT-DUO/-PS membrane. KERDI must be installed over the heating cables and
DITRA-HEAT/-PS or DITRA-HEAT-DUO/-PS in the shower.
• Due to the installation of the DITRA-HEAT/-PS or DITRA-HEAT-DUO/-PS membrane
on top of the shower tray, it is necessary to raise the height of the KERDI-DRAIN or
KERDI-LINE/-VARIO. Installation of DITRA-HEAT/-PS or DITRA-HEAT-DUO/-PS
membrane on the substrate under the detachable center section for KERDI-DRAIN
or under the KERDI-LINE/-VARIO channel body support will provide the proper height
adjustment.
• When a curb is used, the heating cables must be installed over the curb in a
3/4" wide x 1/4" deep routed section and encased in thin-set mortar. DO NOT install
the heating cable under the curb or go through the curb, as this could cause
damage to the heating cable and curb. After the heating cable is installed, apply
KERDI over the routed section of the KERDI-BOARD-SC curb or over the entire
built-up curb.
• A dedicated heating cable is recommended in the shower area to allow for simple
disconnection without an impact on the bathroom floor heating in the event that the
shower heating cable is damaged. Multiple heating cables may be installed on a single
thermostat, up to the 15 amp limit. However, for ease of installation, a maximum of
two heating cables per thermostat and a deep junction box is recommended. Refer to
electrical codes for proper junction box selection for your installation.
• The minimum spacing from any drain pipe must be 4" (100 mm). With a linear drain, the
cable must be 4" (100 mm) from the actual drain pipe and a minimum of 1" (25 mm) from
the channel body edges.
• Heating cables must be spaced a minimum of 8" (200 mm) from steam inlets in
intermittent use steam showers.
Safety
• Extra care must be taken for repairs to the DITRA-HEAT heating cable in wet areas. After
repairs and waterproofing connections are completed, Schluter Systems recommends
flood testing the shower before re-tiling.
• Heating cable factory splice (i.e., cold lead splice) must not be installed in the shower
area.
• For product certification information see Testing and Certification section in the DITRA-
HEAT Installation Handbook.
Substrate Preparation
• Verify that subfloor panels and solid backing are properly fastened to framing members.
• Any leveling of the subfloor must be done prior to installing KERDI-SHOWER-T/-TS/-
TT/-LT/-LTS/-R, KERDI-BOARD-SC/-SB, DITRA-HEAT/-PS and DITRA-HEAT-DUO/-PS
membranes.
• For optimal performance with difficult-to-bond-to substrates, use Schluter
®
-PRIMER-U
or other suitable primer for the application. Contact Schluter Systems to determine if
PRIMER-U, or suitable primer, is required for the specific installation.
Solid Backing Materials
• Gypsum wallboard – ASTM C1396/C1396M
• Cementitious backer unit – ANSI A118.9 or ASTM C1325
• Fiber-cement backerboard – ASTM C1288
• Fiber-reinforced water-resistant gypsum backerboard – ASTM C1278
• Coated glass mat water-resistant gypsum backerboard – ASTM C1178
• Portland cement mortar – ANSI A108.1B
• Concrete
• Masonry
Setting and Grouting Materials
• Unmodified thin-set mortar – ANSI A118.1
• Grout – ANSI A118.3, A118.6, A118.7
Installation Specifications
• Solid backing panels – follow manufacturer’s instructions
• Portland cement mortar bed – ANSI A108.1B
• Tile – ANSI A108.5
• Grout – ANSI A108.6, A108.10
Other Considerations
• Acceptance of electric floor warming in a shower and this detail must be verified
by the local inspector or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
• KERDI is required on top of DITRA-HEAT installations in the shower. Schluter
®
-Systems
chooses to be conservative and to ensure everything is protected. Note: DITRA-HEAT-
E-HK heating cables are rated for wet applications per CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.130-03.
DITRA-HEAT membranes have been found to meet or exceed the requirements of
ANSI A118.10. If meeting ANSI A118.10 specifications is required and peel-and-stick
membranes are to be used, the entire area must be covered with KERDI membrane in
conjunction with appropriate KERDI components.
• Curbless tiled showers rely on the slope of the floor to effectively contain water in the
immediate shower area and direct water to the drain. Given the wide range of potential
configurations, it isn’t possible to address them all in this Handbook.
• For curbless applications: waterproofing must be installed in all areas subject to water
exposure.
• Schluter
®
-SHOWERPROFILE-WS/-WSK system profiles can be used to form a
splashguard at the entrance of curbless showers.
• Various building codes and other sources, such as the Americans with Disabilities
Act, include specific requirements for disabled access in public buildings and must be
consulted when applicable. Areas of interest may include degree of slope, clearance, and
supporting structures such as grab bars.
• Shower grab bars must be anchored in the structure or solid blocking behind KERDI-BOARD.
• When KERDI-SHOWER-T/-TS/-TT/-LT/-LTS tray dimensions do not match the
dimensions of the shower compartment, the tray may be cut or extended with dry pack
mortar.
• When KERDI or KERDI-BOARD and tile are installed on the ceiling, the solid backing and
fasteners must be able to support the load of the tile and setting and grouting materials.
• A water test is strongly recommended before setting tile to verify a successful installation.
Wait 24 hours minimum after the membrane installation is complete to allow for final set
of thin-set mortar and ensure waterproof performance at seams and connections. Refer
to local plumbing codes for any specific requirements in your area. For curbless showers
a temporary dam (e.g., a 2x4 and silicone sealant, plastic sheeting and sand, etc.) must
be provided at the threshold to perform the water test.
• Schluter
®
-Systems profiles may be used to finish and protect outside corners and
eliminate the use of sealant at inside corners.
• Schluter
®
-SHOWERPROFILE-S/-R profiles eliminate the need for cutting wedges of tile
by covering the exposed wall area where the floor slopes to KERDI-LINE/-VARIO.
• Schluter
®
-SHELF-E/-W/-N are alternatives to tiled shelves that can be easily installed on
walls and in corners and niches; see page 43.
• Where a waterproof floor adjacent to the shower is desired, DITRA/-XL uncoupling membrane,
DITRA-HEAT/-PS or DITRA-HEAT-DUO/-PS electric floor warming and uncoupling membrane
shall be installed. Floor/wall connections shall be sealed with KERDI-BAND.
Showers – Ceramic or stone tile
DH-SH
Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT Shower Application
SHOWER ASSEMBLY — Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT 11
Note: Please refer to the Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT Installation
Handbook for installation instructions and warranty criteria
for the Schluter
®
-DITRA-HEAT floor warming system.