DIY bathroom remodel - KERDI systems.

[Orange Juice]

I’m getting ready to to start my 1st of two bathroom remodels. Home Depot doesn’t appear to stock KERDI board products. Is it sold/stocked anywhere in Phoenix? I’ve been watching videos, and think I can handle most of the job.

 

[Angler]

I’m getting ready to to start my 1st of two bathroom remodels. Home Depot doesn’t appear to stock KERDI board products. Is it sold/stocked anywhere in Phoenix? I’ve been watching videos, and think I can handle most of the job.

Have it shipped.

https://www.masterwholesale.com/schluter-kerdi-board-building-board-panels.html

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Amazon sells some of it as well.

 

[Orange Juice]

Have it shipped.

https://www.masterwholesale.com/schluter-kerdi-board-building-board-panels.html

That’s what I was afraid of. I hate buying something without putting my hands on it first. But this is the stuff.

Can they help me put together a full bathroom kit, with a tub too walk-in shower conversion?
5 x 10 with 9’ walls?
I’ll look them up Monday.

 

[Angler]

That’s what I was afraid of. I hate buying something without putting my hands on it first. But this is the stuff.

Can they help me put together a full bathroom kit, with a tub too walk-in shower conversion?
5 x 10 with 9’ walls?
I’ll look them up Monday.

Have no idea. Good luck.

 

[SixD9R]

In my area of the country (eastern Pa) pretty much any decent tile distributor will have it. Plus, if you need advice, you can get it there. I have no idea about Phoenix.

 

[82daytona]

I think Bedrosians sells that stuff.

 

[SoCalDave]

I've done several showers over the years and these guys really helped me understand the tricks of the trade. Highly recommend you join or lurk with any questions.

John Bridge Tile Forum, DIY Tile Advice, Tile How-to Information, Tile Your World

World's Number One Tile Information Site. Tile forum, Ceramic and stone tile how-to articles, DIY and professional topics

www.johnbridge.com

 

[jailbird141]

Floor and Decor has a large selection. I do not know if they are in your area. They are pretty competitive with Amazon pricing.

 

[badgas]

Make sure to share pics of the project.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Floor and Decor has a large selection. I do not know if they are in your area. They are pretty competitive with Amazon pricing.

Floor and Decor has 5 or so store in the Phoenix area. As noted there is a good stock there.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I really like Schluter, and am 3 bathrooms into using their systems.

Using their membrane you'd better be prepared to double the amount of thinset you'd normally use because those little squares absorb/ consume a ton.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Any large tile supply place should have Kerdi goodies you need, but be prepared to pay.

 

[Mandelon]

Check out HydroBlok. We use their system a lot. Simple and easy. Less messy. Their panels are a solid foam core with a mesh wrapping then covered in a smooth cement. Crazy strong, light weight and easy to cut. You can install the pan, the walls and start tiling immediately. No hot mop, no waiting for coatings to dry. Panels come in various thicknesses.

American Olean / Marazzi Phoenix
2115 S 11th Ave Suite 170
Phoenix, AZ, 85007
(602) 252-5357
Distributor

Hydroblok - HYDROBLOK

the future of building made easy HydroBlok is the lightest, strongest, most insulating and 100% waterproof building board that is revolutionizing the construction industry. https://hydroblok.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HydroBlok-Overview-FINAL-01-SHORT-011725-01-2.mp4 LIGHTER FASTER BETTER...

www.hydroblok.com

 

[Gonefishin5555]

Still having nightmares from my DIY shower but my snowbirds thought it came out great. The only system material I used was some Schluter edge stuff around my niches and the tile to drywall transition. One thing I didn’t realize was that they had different quality of the same edging material the high quality stuff was metal and the cheap stuff was more of a plastic/pvc material. My brother in law wanted me to use one of the “systems” but I didn’t want to deal with the learning curve and lack of available material in BHC so I used Hardibacker for my walls

 

[YeahYeah01]

Check out HydroBlok. We use their system a lot. Simple and easy. Less messy. Their panels are a solid foam core with a mesh wrapping then covered in a smooth cement. Crazy strong, light weight and easy to cut. You can install the pan, the walls and start tiling immediately. No hot mop, no waiting for coatings to dry. Panels come in various thicknesses.

American Olean / Marazzi Phoenix
2115 S 11th Ave Suite 170
Phoenix, AZ, 85007
(602) 252-5357
Distributor

Hydroblok - HYDROBLOK

the future of building made easy HydroBlok is the lightest, strongest, most insulating and 100% waterproof building board that is revolutionizing the construction industry. https://hydroblok.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HydroBlok-Overview-FINAL-01-SHORT-011725-01-2.mp4 LIGHTER FASTER BETTER...

www.hydroblok.com

This looks great.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Ive now gone through -

Hardi backer / red guard
Dense shield
Schluter /ditra

The Schluter SS trim is awesome and pretty expensive.

 

[Uncle Dave]

Check out HydroBlok. We use their system a lot. Simple and easy. Less messy. Their panels are a solid foam core with a mesh wrapping then covered in a smooth cement. Crazy strong, light weight and easy to cut. You can install the pan, the walls and start tiling immediately. No hot mop, no waiting for coatings to dry. Panels come in various thicknesses.

American Olean / Marazzi Phoenix
2115 S 11th Ave Suite 170
Phoenix, AZ, 85007
(602) 252-5357
Distributor

Hydroblok - HYDROBLOK

the future of building made easy HydroBlok is the lightest, strongest, most insulating and 100% waterproof building board that is revolutionizing the construction industry. https://hydroblok.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HydroBlok-Overview-FINAL-01-SHORT-011725-01-2.mp4 LIGHTER FASTER BETTER...

www.hydroblok.com

hydroblock sounds like using dense shield.

Dense shield doesnt require additional coating like red guard or hydro ban. (scares me)

The other tradeoff that isnt obvious - is that desnshield is MUCH heavier per panel where my wife can easily put up a shower with hardibacker and red guard.

 

[ltbaney1]

Still having nightmares from my DIY shower but my snowbirds thought it came out great. The only system material I used was some Schluter edge stuff around my niches and the tile to drywall transition. One thing I didn’t realize was that they had different quality of the same edging material the high quality stuff was metal and the cheap stuff was more of a plastic/pvc material. My brother in law wanted me to use one of the “systems” but I didn’t want to deal with the learning curve and lack of available material in BHC so I used Hardibacker for my walls

when i did my shower, i had a buddy who does tile give me some pointers. he told me that the schluter edge molding comes in plastic at home depot and lowes and to avoid it and use the aluminum stuff only and to get it at floor and decor. i had the same hesitation with the kerdi system, being my first full shower i wanted it easy, so I opted for a hot mop pan and hardi backer walls. other then the smell of the hot mop it was no big deal. my friend just did his shower using the Kerdi system and he is in it about double what i am for hot mop and hardi backer and still fighting with it.

 

[NicPaus]

What size shower pan? Might have to order it. If 5'x10' . I just left floor and decor. Have to go back later today.

I have done hundreds of bathrooms and never used Kerdi. Checked it out while I was there grabbing some stone earlier. Looks easy just expensive. Might have to try on 1 of my projects to see how it is. Hopefully the local inspectors are familiar with it. Usually 24 hr pan test and 2 layers of 60 minute on the wall for inspection.

 

[Gonefishin5555]

What size shower pan? Might have to order it. If 5'x10' . I just left floor and decor. Have to go back later today.

I have done hundreds of bathrooms and never used Kerdi. Checked it out while I was there grabbing some stone earlier. Looks easy just expensive. Might have to try on 1 of my projects to see how it is. Hopefully the local inspectors are familiar with it. Usually 24 hr pan test and 2 layers of 60 minute on the wall for inspection.

I remember thinking the system material were a lot more expensive also I suppose once you master the system you would save a lot of time. That’s the only way to justify it I suppose.

 

[Mandelon]

hydroblock sounds like using dense shield.

Dense shield doesnt require additional coating like red guard or hydro ban. (scares me)

The other tradeoff that isnt obvious - is that desnshield is MUCH heavier per panel where my wife can easily put up a shower with hardibacker and red guard.

It is Foam core so the panels are light weight. Pans come in lots of shapes and sizes, and are easy to cut to fit. Flat slopes for edge drain, or center drain too.

 

[Uncle Dave]

It is Foam core so the panels are light weight. Pans come in lots of shapes and sizes, and are easy to cut to fit. Flat slopes for edge drain, or center drain too.

Interesting...

 

[Uncle Dave]

It is Foam core so the panels are light weight. Pans come in lots of shapes and sizes, and are easy to cut to fit. Flat slopes for edge drain, or center drain too.

I cant find the numbers for hydro blok- Id be interested to know whats its flex and compression numbers are?

 

[Uncle Dave]

The other tradeoff that isnt obvious - is that desnshield is MUCH heavier per panel where my wife can easily put up a shower with hardibacker and red guard.

I got this 180 out - its the other way around. Old grey matter fading.....

 

[NicPaus]

I remember thinking the system material were a lot more expensive also I suppose once you master the system you would save a lot of time. That’s the only way to justify it I suppose.

Yeah that and areas they don't have hot mopped guys. Usually can get hot mopped next day. Or Hydroban it. Doing a pan later today with hydroban.

Then 2 layers of 60 minute paper $25. Then GoBoard or hardibacker depending on tile size. The goboard has some flex to it. The tile guys don't like it for smaller tile and prefer hardibacker as it doesn't flex. But the goboard is super fast and easy to install. Goboard $27 a piece hardibacker $13. Hot mopped $300 and they guarantee the pan.

The kits for Kerri I saw were $419 plus drain and other things needed. If just a tile guy would be easier to learn it and only do that and be fast. No need for hot mopped.

What takes the longest is leveling the walls up. I just got the built with foam shim kit. To use with the goboard. Suppose to speed up leveling the walls using a lazer.

 

[lf2]

I pretty much only use schluter pan/drain/curb/banding with go board walls these days. Best mix of cost vs install time for me.

 

[TimeBandit]

Do you use this Kerdi/Schluter green waterproofing over the backer board / kerdi before tile?

I did not use "go board" and was told regular backer board was not waterproof, so I did. (my rental house 2014)

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

Arizona Tile usually stocks it. They have a couple of stores just outside of where you are.

 

[NicPaus]

Do you use this Kerdi/Schluter green waterproofing over the backer board / kerdi before tile?

I did not use "go board" and was told regular backer board was not waterproof, so I did. (my rental house 2014) View attachment 1187613

Looks like hydroban. You can coat the whole thing with it. We use 2 layers of 60 minute paper behind the backer board. Been doing like that for 25 years. No issues. Inspection is easy. Next Inspection I am going to ask about Kerdi and the other systems. Imagine they see them all the time nowadays.

 

[77charger]

What size shower pan? Might have to order it. If 5'x10' . I just left floor and decor. Have to go back later today.

I have done hundreds of bathrooms and never used Kerdi. Checked it out while I was there grabbing some stone earlier. Looks easy just expensive. Might have to try on 1 of my projects to see how it is. Hopefully the local inspectors are familiar with it. Usually 24 hr pan test and 2 layers of 60 minute on the wall for inspection.

From ones I talked to that use it they say advantage is they can tile directly to it skip a float and save there. I’ve seen many new systems over the years they have their time and it’s something else.

As for anything I recommend testing for 24 hrs no matter what’s used for waterproofing

 

[Orange Juice]

Make sure to share pics of the project.

Maybe……I’m watching YouTube videos.
Found out today I’m removing a 40 year old 300lb bath tub.

I’m going to try and drink two beers every hour , and work two hours on it every day. And see where it goes.

Maybe I can get the demo done Sunday.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I pretty much only use schluter pan/drain/curb/banding with go board walls these days. Best mix of cost vs install time for me.

That go board is seriously weaker than just about everything else at 250 PSI.

Here's the hardibacker/ red guard/ Schluter trim job.

 

[Orange Juice]

Ok, so this is where I start. 1980’s vintage, with a light remodel in the late 1990’s.

What the hell am I looking at under the sink? I have a third valve? We will find out this weekend as I open up the walls. The Kitchen is on other side of wall, but not sink or dishwasher wall. Must be a shutoff? Note to hack plumbers, it’s ok to leave a small message letting us know where it goes, and what it does.

Door and window are on demo list.

 

[NicPaus]

Mixing valve for something? First thing I noticed.

Was going to mention changing the window. But you got that covered.

Tile to ceiling, Niche, diverter with handheld (If in the budget), new angle stops (Dahl are nice), run power for bidet, new Panasonic fart fan., Led can lights. Those are just a few thoughts.

 

[Orange Juice]

For those looking for a new throne….Still trying to talk the wife into one.

She ain’t going for it

 

[KMH]

View attachment 1188278


View attachment 1188279

Ok, so this is where I start. 1980’s vintage, with a light remodel in the late 1990’s.

What the hell am I looking at under the sink? I have a third valve? We will find out this weekend as I open up the walls. The Kitchen is on other side of wall, but not sink or dishwasher wall. Must be a shutoff? Note to hack plumbers, it’s ok to leave a small message letting us know where it goes, and what it does.

Door and window are on demo list.

If the house had a evaporator cooler this could have been the valve for the water supply?

 

[Orange Juice]

If the house had an evaporator cooler this could have been the valve for the water supply?

It does.

 

[TimeBandit]

or the icemaker for the fridge?

 

[Orange Juice]

That mirror was a bitch. I had to slap her her around, and she broke into a million pieces.

2 beers an hour, 2 hours a day.

Shower tile tomorrow.

 

[Orange Juice]

Two beers an hour, 2 hours a day.

Not as bad as what I expected. I’ll tackle the Throne and Tub tomorrow. Could be a 2 beer and hour, 3 hour Job.

 

[wzuber]

I think u need to double your beer to hour ratio. Start with doubling and see how it goes.......
I hope this helps.....

 

[4Waters]

I think u need to double your beer to hour ratio. Start with doubling and see how it goes.......
I hope this helps.....

Agreed, he's a

 

[Orange Juice]

Agreed, he's a

View attachment 1189251

Hey, I’m not trying to turn this into work.

 

[Orange Juice]

I think u need to double your beer to hour ratio. Start with doubling and see how it goes.......
I hope this helps.....

That might happen tomorrow.

I’m removing a cast iron tub. Need to stay hydrated.

 

[77charger]

I gotta do mine someday. But only
Positive im a hot mopper and can waterproof my own shower problem is getting to the do it part.

 

[NicPaus]

I gotta do mine someday. But only
Positive im a hot mopper and can waterproof my own shower problem is getting to the do it part.

Had a pan hot mopped yesterday. Hardest part was waking up at 7 to meet them at 8 on a Saturday Lol. Still $300. Been years now since I sold my tar cooker. It reminded me yesterday why I sold it.

 

[77charger]

Had a pan hot mopped yesterday. Hardest part was waking up at 7 to meet them at 8 on a Saturday Lol. Still $300. Been years now since I sold my tar cooker. It reminded me yesterday why I sold it.

I’m just working part time still. Normall first job at 7 and Saturday if I work it’s 8am start. I’m usually done by noon though. When I’m home in az I can’t sleep in though alwAys up by 6 am then just have to get out of bed by 7.

 

[Orange Juice]

Getting closer. That tub is it for today. 4 beer job, 2 beer recovery.

 

[Orange Juice]

The home appears to have the H/C water coming up through the slab, and daisy chained along to the Throne, Tub, and then turns the corner to the dishwasher and sink.

I’m taking a timeout and thinking this through. The Home is 43 years old. Is there a right time to upgrade to PEX??? At least for this side of the house? The wall is open.

There is plumbing I don’t need ( swamp cooler, and Refrigerator. ), and I’m going to add 2-3 inches to the shower head.

Also need to figure out window situation. I might pull out a row of block, and expand the Window 8” in height.

I think I’m going to get a plumber to figure it out. , and focus on the window.