Install for schluter

Hey Ed,
You're "dipping" into two forums that I moderate. So, for the sake of other readers, here's an exact copy of my response to you on the other site:
Schluter's shower kit? Does it include “Ditra” Matting for the walls? Or is it just for the shower pan? Or is it a pre-finished molded shower pan, and you’re doing just the walls? If it’s a “Full Kit”, walls and pan, it’s a mute point unless, there is some carelessness on your part installing the “fabric” on the walls, pan and curb, and water or even a little moisture gets behind the matting, which could ultimately destroys the dry wall and anything attached to it. The Schluter’s System makes sense only if the installer is “bright enough” to follow the directions to a “T”. If you were a professional I would be able to connect with you a little easier but, as a “DIY” I must stress some fine points that you should be aware of. “IF” the shower valve or its integral parts ever leak or water manages to get behind the valve cover and work its way into the dry wall, the fixture wall could/would be short lived. To be forewarned is “Hindsight” so to be on the safe side I would recommend changing the fixture wall to 1/2” backerboard, full width and at least to a full sheet’s height of 5’. Leave 1/8” space between it and the dry wall; fill the joint with thin-set, tape the joint with “Alkali Resistant Tape, and then coat the joint again with thin-set. It’s imperative that you thoroughly understand the Schluter Procedure or you will “blow a lot of time and money”. They have an installation video available, which you should watch several times. Schluter is a reputable company with lots of resources and claim they have sold many”Ditra” Shower Systems. They also state that their system “Works” very well, but they do not mention if there are or aren’t any job failures/claims. I feel there are too many “Loop Holes”, and because of that I, “honestly” and “personally”, can only give there system a “7” on a scale of “1 to 10”. An additional concern, if you live in a cold climate or a climate with 4 seasons, is the distinct possibility of (moisture) condensation buildup on the backside of the Dry Wall. This possibility is 100% predictable in very cold weather while taking a “Long Hot Shower”, if the shower has one or two of its walls, as in a “Neo-Angle” shower, facing the exterior walls of a home. The integrity of the “Dry Wall/Gypsum Board” could, and most likely would, be compromised. “TIRTGIM” Armen Tavy aka Spacerman

Armen Tavy