What is Kerdi?

As I venture forth day to day reading and commenting on forums and discussion groups another phrase that I see come up often is “Kerdi”. After doing a little research I find that Kerdi is the name brand of a series of components used to install shower stalls and to insure their water tightness. The following is cited from an article by Schluter-Kerdi, the manufacturer of this system, and included in today’s blog with my thanks for using it and giving them full credit for the information herewith. To read the article in full and to get further information on and questions answered about the system refer to http://www.schluter.com/3783.aspx

“The hygienic and maintenance-free characteristics of finished tiled coverings account for the prevalence of this ideal surface in bathroom and, specifically, shower applications. However, because the integrity of the tiled surface relies upon a system of water management to protect the sub-shower assembly from moisture penetration, tiled showers have always represented a considerable challenge for installers.The traditional method of installing a shower receptor has some obvious drawbacks. Typically, an installer must place a mortar bed, sloped to the weep holes in the sub-drain, prior to installing the pan liner. Once this "pre-slope" has cured to the point where it can be walked upon, the pan liner is installed - with its tenuous connections to the clamping ring in the sub-drain, seaming, and carefully fitted corners around the curb area, all of which must be bonded with the appropriate solvent-based bonding agent. Each of these steps must be completed, and the weep holes protected from being clogged with mortar, before the shower pan is ready to receive the setting bed for the floor tiles. This conventional methodology requires substantial time and labor. However, since shower pan liners are placed below the mortar setting bed in a conventional assembly, receptors successfully constructed in this manner allow moisture to saturate the mortar bed. This can increase the risk of leakage, cause efflorescence, lead to deterioration of the mortar bed itself, and foster bacteria and fungus growth.
The industry responded to this situation by developing bonded waterproof membranes, which bond directly to the mortar bed and protect it from becoming saturated. In 1987, Schluter-Systems supplied the industry with an effective seaming and waterproofing solution, SCHLUTER-KERDI. KERDI is the most user-friendly, sheet-applied waterproofing membrane in existence. Because it is so thin and lightweight, it hangs as easily as wallpaper. “

As with all the blogs I write I hope this one will help you to understand this to be one of many solutions for your DIY project and will give you a starting point for research to lead you to your best alternatives