Tile is not waterproof.
Grout is not waterproof.
Most readily available tile backer boards and substrates are not waterproof.
Although ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are not waterproof, they do have varying degrees of water resistance which is determined by composition & the fabrication process. Topical & embedded sealants can be used to protect grout lines & tile surfaces but they aren’t perfect and must be reapplied at regular intervals, and when you add these sealants to the top of your installation it can actually trap water and contribute to a shower failure.
Waterproof means that with 100% certainty, water cannot pass through.
Your shower accommodates enough water passage to rival any rainforest on our planet. More water than you realize, when you take into account the fact that not only does your shower installation need to address the obvious water on the surface, but also the water vapor that is in the air! Each of our shower and tub surrounds is waterproof AND vapor-tight! Schluter®-KERDI is a pliable sheet-applied waterproofing membrane and vapor-retarder designed for the direct application of tile. KERDI is ideal for use in tiled showers, bathtub surrounds, residential steam showers, and other tile applications in wet areas.
When we build showers, steam rooms, and saunas, we must go beyond the surfaces you see and prepare what is underneath to handle the water and the vapor that WILL penetrate. If you want a flawless worry-free tile installation, what it comes down to is what lies underneath your tile, the preparation that you’ll never see again once the tile is installed. Preparation is the most important part to your bathroom project and how we ensure your long-lasting low-maintenance tile installation.
Our waterproofed bathrooms are backed with a minimum 10-year warranty against leaks & failures due to our ongoing relationships with Schluter Systems of North America, Laticrete International, and Custom Building Products. We use their products to create a complete system that encapsulates the wet areas & protects your home from water damage that is all too common in showers & wet areas.
