I bought some Ditra for tiling a floor, obviously. Plan on getting Kerdi to do the walls. Never installed them before and can’t get down to the Carolinas soon to take the course. Didn’t learn much online.
How do I install this stuff? Unmodified thinset (got that), spread that, lay Ditra over that, them just press it down?
How long do I need to wait before going on it to install the tile?
Replies
Glenn,
What are you installing the Ditra over? If plywood, I believe the instructions are (or used to be) latex modified thinset between ditra and plywood and then unmodified to bond tile to Ditra.
I'm no expert but have found the Ditra easy to use.
I thought it was modified first, but looking this morning I thought it said UNmodified for both.I shall look closer.And it is plywood I'm going over. I could be wrong but I thought I read that they recommend not using cement board on the floor or walls.So I didn't. Plywood and green board. Hope I didn't oops.Glenn
Edited 6/30/2009 6:03 pm ET by Tashler
Better check your local building codes on the green board.
In my neck of the woods it is illegal to use greenboard above any tub or in any shower area if it is to be tiled. Been that way for about a year.
I'm just sayin'
sully
I saw a guy set the Ditra, then go right over with the tile. He laid a scrap of plywood on the Ditra to kneel on. That may have been pushing it a bit.
I know if you wait overnight after setting the Ditra, you'll have no problems.
Hey, how often do you go to that QuikChek? I really like the coffee QuikChek has.
Yeah, Bob, I know if I wait it will be fine. But, being a slow poke, I had heard you can go over it right away and I want to get things done.So I figured 'Why wait'.I live a 5 minute walk from Quik Chek, so I'm in there fairly often.But I don't drink coffee. Afraid it will stunt my growth. ;-)Glenn
Is THAT why I'm shorter than you?
Odd how that works, isn't it?Glenn
As Shep said, the tile can be laid immediatly. As a practical matter for those of us doing it ourselves, by ourselves (as opposed to a whole tiling crew), getting the Ditra down can be phase I and, on another day when we're rested, the tile can be phase II.
I just did two baths and a laundry room and it worked great. When laying the tile however, be prepared for those Ditra dimples to consume A LOT of thinset.
Runnerguy
Thanks for the tip.Note to self: But extra bag of thinset.Glenn
Find a thread titled "small addition" by Stevent1. Excellent tutorial. Also, John Bridge tile forum is a terrific resource.
Good luck!
The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Thanks, David. I forgot about John Bridge's forum.I'll check them both out.Glenn
Ditra is not for use in areas w/ alot of water. It is water proof , not water resistant. In what area would you use ditra and kerdi instead of just all kerdi? A bathroom (I did my no-curb shower wetroom ) all in kerdi. Ditra uses modified thinset on plywood,particle board substrates, unmodified on concrete. Then unmodified thinset to set tiles on ditra. When you buy the Kerdi you get a DVD which explains all. and what is with all these strange names ....ditra, kerdi, etc. I speak a bit of German and they make no sense to me. The products are great though!!
Glenn,
Did you look it up on Schluter's Ditra manual? Different substrates take different adhesives between the substrate and the Ditra.
Ditra home page which has some videos of the install
Other videos here
Best,
Steve
View Image
Yeah, I looked, Fatro Man.I guess i was just in too much of a hurry this AM.Glenn
You CAN use a modified thinset but it has to be a lightly modified thinset. I use Versabond but be sure you dont use Versabond "flex" b/c that is totally modified. I use Versabond all the time. Even John Bridges gives it a thumbs up, HD carries it btw
http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/SettingMaterialsDIY/HighPerformanceMortars/VersaBondFortifiedThinSet.aspx?user=diy〈=en
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Edited 6/30/2009 8:39 pm ET by andybuildz
Hey Andy,Schluter says to use modified for the Ditra to the plywood and UNmodified for the tile to the membrane.Is that how you do it, or are you saying you can use modified for both?Glenn
I've used it for both. I think They figure the plywood helps the thinset dry out because the moisture absorbs into it but like with Kerdi which is really the same thing I also use it for both with no issues. It's just lightly modified. I lke the stickiness of it.
go over to John Bridges and ask there or hit the archives over there just so you can sleep better.
Thats what I did ways back when.In Johns book on Kerdi he specifically says ou can use Versabond all around. I see no difference between Kerdi and Ditra in this instance.
Also...there's two different thickness' of Ditra. Te thicker one is more forgiving as far as deflection f the subfloor/ I think you can even use it with just 3/4" ply under it rather then 1 1 1/4" or is it 1 1/8". Personally I usually go a minimum of 1 1/4 and if I have the room I use dbl 3/4 but then again they call me Mr Overkill...lol
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
You don't mention whether this is a 'wet' or 'damp' area, so I can't comment on your use of Kerdi on the walls. But to answer your other questions:
Modified thinset dries (by evaporation); unmodified sets (by chemical reaction). If you trap a layer of modified thinset between two surfaces that are both impervious to water vapour--like Ditra and glazed tile--the thinset won't dry for a very long time...weeks or even a month.
As to setting tile on Ditra as soon as you've laid it into the thinset on the floor, yes, go right ahead. The stuff is made for that (so is Kerdi). OTOH, it will not hurt if you wait till the next day. Some guys will lay the Ditra and screed thinset into the dimples one day, then come back the next day and lay tile on that like it was a flat floor.
Finally, Ditra will eat up three times the normal amount of thinset required for the square footage and tile/trowel size.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....