Why Waterproof A Shower?

Traditional Showers In Lincoln,Ne

The Pan Liner Method:

The traditional method used for tiled showers in Lincoln, Ne is very time and labor intense. requiring many steps to a successful long lasting system. But this system may not have been installed properly.

First a mortar bed is sloped to weep to the drain. The pan liner is placed over this pre slope and clamped to the drain itself. The pan liner is than carried over the curb and 3 inches above the curb on the walls. A moisture barrier is than place on the walls overlapping the pan liner. Another mortar bed is than installed over the pan liner and the walls covered with mortar or cement backerboard. These materials provide support and bonding surfaces for the tile. If installed correctly these systems work fine, but I have seen too many times where the pan liner is installed incorrectly causing horrific water damage to other areas of the home.

Like this walk-in shower in Lincoln, Ne from a home built in 2012:

This shower had no pre-sloped mud bed, incorrect pan liner installation, incorrect drain causing damage to subfloor and floor joist, as well as significant damage to the finished basement.

The Tile Itself Is Not Water Proof!

Wait what?? That’s right, the tile itself is not waterproof although there are tiles that are very impervious to water and vapor penetration, tile on it’s own is not a barrier to water and vapor. When the shower head is in use water and vapor will penetrate the mortar bed and tile backing on the walls. This moisture must seep through the mortar bed down through to the pre sloped pan liner and exit through the weep holes into the drain. This System is called a Water In/Water Out system. The system from the above pictures was done completely wrong in this bathroom remodel in Lincoln, Ne. There was no pre-slope, the drain system was incorrect, the pan liner was cut at corners instead of folded correctly, and the pan liner was nailed way too low. Needless to say this couple had water damage all the way to the basement of their semi-new construction home in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sounds Great Right?

Well, this old school shower system that was done in Lincoln, Ne is a very good system unfortunately it wasn’t done right. The problem that we see with this system is that with regular shower use the mortar bed can remain soaked, particularly if the installer did not pre slope the pan liner as is the case in this Lincoln, Ne shower system. Another problem we see with this system is the weep holes eventually clog up and with no where for the water to escape, the water will continue to wick it’s way up the concrete backer walls and the 2x4 curb of the shower. The continued presence of moisture increases the potential for discoloration in the grout and tile and mold growth is absolutely inevitable.

The tiled shower in Lincoln, Ne pictured below is a tale tell sign of moisture wicking its way from the shower floor up the wall and around the curb.

So Why Tile?

Because tile has endless design options and is very durable and can last a lifetime if the preparation beneath the tile and the tile itself is installed properly. It is of the earth and is very Eco friendly and even adding health benefits to those occupying the space. And with some good knowledge from a tile contactor in Lincoln, Ne tile can be very impervious to water penetration. Other products such as fiberglass kits and Onyx are limited in design possibilities and the dust from these products during install is very unhealthy and require a sealant at corners which must be maintained ever few years. These products are not as durable and long lasting and without regular maintenance can fail your shower system miserably. For us at Antler Kitchen and Bath we’ll stick with the 100% water poof shower system in Lincoln, Ne.

The Solution

Schluter Systems Products In Lincoln, Nebraska

Schluter Systems Tile Products Is It

The Schluter System is a family of tile products in Lincoln. Ne that improve on the traditional systems by simplifying tiled shower installations. The process begins with the installation of solid panels or concrete backerboards on the walls and either a sloped mortar bed or a Schluter prefabricated shower tray on the shower pan. These materials provide support for the water proofing system and the tile. Unlike the waterproof materials used in traditional methods the tile can be set directly to the Schluter membrane using proper thin set mortar.

This is why at Antler Kitchen & Bath Remodeling in Lincoln, Ne we only use Schluter Systems waterproofing methods. The old method proved to be ineffective in long lasting tile installations. With the Schluter Systems Products the water proofing material is placed on top of backing materials rather then underneath. This eliminates the potential for moisture to seep into the mortar bed or backer boards on the walls. This allows the tile covering to dry between uses. This system eliminates leaks, reduces the potential for efflorescence and mold growth, and dramatically reduces the installation time to ensure a successful long lasting shower system.