Before & After: Transforming a Leaky Shower with Schluter Systems

In my career, I’ve seen a lot of bad bathroom renovations. I’ve seen bathrooms with ZERO waterproofing, live wires behind the walls, and poorly installed tiles. On one job, a previous contractor laid laminate flooring poorly, which then started lifting in spots, and mold formed in the bathroom because of moisture infiltration and a bad subfloor.

When I go to fix a job, I always rip out the flooring and the walls more often than not, so we aren’t doing patchwork. One important part of every bathroom and laundry room job is waterproofing.

I’ve trusted and used Schluter products for decades because they work. I’ve been using Schluter Systems since the start of my career. Plus, Schluter consistently designs and manufactures new products that work together – always providing a solution – which I love!

 

A Holmes Family Rescue

One recent job I took on really stands out to me as a huge disaster. We filmed it for Holmes Family Rescue. In Joanne and Mike’s home the previous contractor started a large renovation but it soon became clear that they just didn’t care enough or were in over their heads.

Upon investigating the home, we found tons of issues – this included the upstairs bathroom. The shower was a disaster and dangerous, and I knew what we had to do to rescue this family!

Here’s the rundown:

 

What’s the Issue? 

The contractor left the bathroom incomplete, but upon further inspection I was glad because I was able to easily see all that was wrong. From improper placement of pipes, unsafe electrical and mold, to sloppy and dangerous work. It was a mess and this poor family had been without a shower for months, having to use their local gym, plus friends and family helping out. We all felt terrible for this family. Specifically, here are the issues in the main bathroom:

• missing waterproofing membrane behind the tile (floor and walls)
• existing backer board or substrate had water infiltration evidence (rot, mold).
• electrical wiring too close to wet regions, exposed or improperly sealed

“Every bathroom renovation project needs to be waterproofed properly. We trust Schluter Systems to Make It Right.” Mike Holmes

 

The First Step: Demo/Removal of the Work

The first step in transforming any bathroom is to do a through investigation. You know me,  I like to tear it all down and start again. Why? Because it’s the best way to see what we have to do to make it right! So my team tore out the existing shower walls, tile, backer board, insulation (I actually, don’t think they did insulation), piping, fixtures, and drains.

 

Pre-formed Shower Tray

We rebuilt the shower area, and used a prefabricated sloped shower tray with integrated KERDI waterproofing; it eliminates the need for a mortar bed.

 

Good Drainage is Essential

We always want to make sure our bathrooms have good drainage. All Schluter Shower Kits include a sloped shower tray to ensure proper drainage of water. They are also available in several sizes.

The Schluter KERDI-DRAIN Square Tileable Grate Kit is a smart way to get a clean, professional-looking shower floor. Instead of a traditional exposed drain, this system lets you tile right over the grate, creating a seamless, flush floor that looks continuous. It uses a sturdy square steel plate laminated with the KERDI waterproofing membrane, so your tile bonds directly to it — keeping water out and giving you a sleek, modern finish. It’s a simple, durable solution that keeps your shower looking great and doing its job the right way.

 

The Rebuild

We needed to install a good quality waterproof tile backer. We used KERDI-BOARD, which is our choice of building panel for wet areas. It’s a high-quality alternative to traditional cement board or drywall for tiled surfaces.

Some advantages of KERDI-BOARD in my opinion are:

• It’s strong,
• It’s lightweight,
• It’s a complete waterproof building panel
• It makes it easy to build tile-ready spaces the right way

KERDI-BOARD is made from rigid extruded polystyrene foam, it installs quickly over wood or metal framing and provides a flat, stable, and durable surface. Once the joints and corners are sealed with the KERDI-BAND waterproofing strips, tiles can be set directly on top using thin-set mortar, giving you a long-lasting, waterproof base you can count on — exactly how it should be done.

 

Organization Features in the Bathroom

We installed a Schluter KERDI-BOARD-SN prefabricated shower niche in the wall for added shower storage and recessed shelving. This shower niche is easy to install and integrates with KERDI and KERDI-BOARD shower assemblies.

RELATED:

11 Stylish Shower Niches

Waterproofing Ensures Your Reno Will Last for Years to Come

As mentioned, we used KERDI-BOARD for the walls as it provides a backer and waterproofing system in one step, and simplifies the installation. However, KERDI waterproof membrane can also be used over existing substrate like drywall, but is more is more-labor intensive.

When then used KERDI-BAND, to seal every seam, joint and connection between KERDI and DITRA membranes and KERDI-BOARD panels, creating a complete watertight system. Together, they stop leaks, prevent mold growth, and protect your home from costly water damage.

Then we used KERDI-KERECK on the corners. KERDI pipe seal and mixing value seal were also used to seal protrusions.

 

Heated Floors are a Must! 

I love heated floors, and we try to install them as a surprise for the homeowners on most jobs. It’s fantastic during the colder months, and Schluter DITRA-HEAT is the floor warming, under-tile heating and uncoupling membrane I trust. It is a smart system that combines uncoupling, waterproofing, and floor warming — all in one. It helps prevent cracked tiles and grout, protects your subfloor from moisture, and lets you add customized electric heat under tile, stone, or luxury vinyl.

Once the membrane is installed, we install the heating cables, using the unique stud design. The Schluter thermostat with GFCI protection gives the homeowners control over their heated floors.

 

A Note on Electrical in Your Bathroom

Always ensure your electrical work is performed by a licensed electrical contractor, and that proper permits have been issued. In this job, the electrical wiring done by the previous contractor was dangerous and negligent and our electrical contractor, Frank, installed new, code-compliant electrical boxes, switches, and GFCI protection as needed. Remember electricity and water shouldn’t mix so it’s essential that the electrical in a bathroom/shower room or wet room is done correctly and to code.

 

Tiles & Finishes Complete the Project

 

Once the bathroom was fully waterproofed and the membranes had cured, we got to work on the tile. We installed the shower walls and floor using the right mortar and grout, making sure all joints and transitions were properly sealed and caulked.FF Every tile was carefully bonded to create a solid, long-lasting surface.

After the tile was in place, we finished things off by installing the glass partitions, thresholds, trim, and all the finishing details — done right, from start to finish. Joanne and Mike loved the results!

 

READ NEXT

Benefits of Waterproofing: Extend the Life of Your Bathroom Reno

Designing an Accessible Bathroom: Key Features

Related Articles