EM TILE / ESTETIK M
Shower waterproofing explained: KERDI, RedGard and flood testing
When you choose shower tile, most of the decisions are easy to see: colour, size, pattern and the shape of the niche. Waterproofing belongs to a different part of the discussion because much of it will be covered by the finished tile. A useful shower plan explains the assembly beneath the finish and how its connections will be handled. EM Tile uses Schluter-KERDI, RedGard and Mapei waterproofing membranes, and a flood test of the shower base is available on request. Review the walls, base, drain and built-in features together before choosing the finish.
Discuss your project ↗Plan the shower beneath the tile
Plan the waterproofing with the shower layout: walls, base, drain, corners and any openings for fixtures. Start by marking which surfaces will be rebuilt and which parts of the bathroom you want to retain. Send a wide photograph of the room, close views of the shower area and a sketch showing the intended dimensions. This gives us a useful starting point for reviewing the work beneath the tile. If you are changing the shower entrance, adding a bench or moving a niche, include that in the same enquiry. Having the layout, tile selection and waterproofing scope together helps keep the next decisions clear.
KERDI sheet waterproofing
KERDI is a sheet waterproofing membrane for tiled wet areas. Its seams, corners and connections are part of the shower assembly, alongside the base and drain. EM Tile installs KERDI and the related components listed on our shower waterproofing page. When discussing your room, include the wall dimensions, drain position and any recessed storage or seating. Ask how those features fit into the selected assembly before the tile layout is settled. Schluter’s KERDI product information explains the membrane’s purpose and provides manufacturer guidance. Keep your selected tile and fixture information with the room drawing, so the finish and the work beneath it can be reviewed together.
RedGard uses a different application approach
RedGard is a liquid-applied waterproofing membrane from CUSTOM Building Products. A sheet membrane and a liquid coating have different application requirements, so the selected product’s instructions guide preparation and the next stages of work. For a homeowner, the useful first step is to describe the surfaces that will be waterproofed and any fixtures, corners or built-in details within them. If you already have a product in mind, send its full name with the enquiry. EM Tile installs RedGard as well as the other waterproofing systems listed here. The RedGard product information linked below gives you the manufacturer’s description to read alongside your project plan.
Drain connections, corners and penetrations deserve questions
The broad wall area is only one part of a shower. The drain connection, corners and places where fixtures pass through the assembly also need to be considered. Provide information about the intended shower valve, drain position and any other planned openings when you discuss the scope. A drawing or clear photograph can help locate them without guessing measurements. If plumbing locations are changing, flag that before the tile layout is settled. Ask how the waterproofing plan relates to those connections and which decisions must be resolved before installation. Review these connections with the selected system’s installation requirements.
A niche or bench changes more than the photograph
A recessed niche adds storage within the wall; a bench adds seating and another surface to include in the shower plan. Mark each feature’s position, approximate dimensions and preferred finish on a drawing. Consider how its edges relate to the tile pattern and the shower fixtures. Our shower portfolio can help you choose a wall layout, niche shape or contrast between the floor and walls. Send the examples you like with measurements of your own space. KERDI-BOARD-SB benches, KERDI-BOARD-SN niches and KERDI-BOARD-SNLT LED niches are among the components we install. Discuss these features before buying tile so their proportions can be considered with the rest of the room.
Flood testing should be discussed before the base is covered
EM Tile offers a flood test of the shower base on request. Tell us if you want it included when the shower work is being planned. The purpose is to evaluate the waterproofed base before the relevant work is covered, rather than judging waterproofing only from the finished grout lines. Schluter’s KERDI installation timing information explains the next step after applying the membrane. The timing is product-specific and should be incorporated into the project sequence. Discuss the shower-base test with the rest of the waterproofing scope. Ask what is being tested and how that fits into the agreed work.
Plan drying time and the return to use
Preparation, membrane installation, tile setting, grout and silicone each have a place in the work sequence. The selected materials and the room’s condition affect when the next stage can begin. Ask about the sequence when the shower scope is reviewed, particularly if other work must happen before the bathroom is ready to use. Bathroom and custom shower installation typically takes 1–2 weeks, with the final timeline confirmed after a site review. Share dates that matter to your household and any arrangements with other trades. Before using the finished shower, follow the guidance for the materials installed in your room.
Keep project responsibilities clear
You choose and purchase the tile; EM Tile supplies the installation materials, including membranes, waterproofing, mortar, grout, trims and sealants. We can advise on tile quantities and suitable formats before purchase. The client arranges permits and building or condo approvals when required. Tell us about any building instructions or access arrangements during the review. Every installation comes with our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty for as long as the original client owns the home — see the full terms in our FAQ; workmanship only — tile and materials are covered by their manufacturers’ warranties. Keep your product details, room measurements and planned features together when requesting a free estimate. If you would like a shower-base flood test, ask for it while the work is being planned.
Prepare a waterproofing enquiry with the right information
Send photographs of the current shower area, approximate dimensions and a description of what will be removed or retained. Include the intended base, drain position, wall tile format and any niches or benches. Mention a requested flood test and any drawings or access arrangements already available. Start with the shower waterproofing service page for the installation enquiry, or the bathroom and shower tile installation page if your scope also includes the visible finish. For product background, consult the official KERDI information, Schluter KERDI installation timing and RedGard product information linked here. A free estimate can then be discussed using your actual project details, with the system and sequence reviewed before the finish conceals the work.
The waterproofing, boards and shower components we install
EM Tile works with KERDI sheet membrane, KERDI-BAND seam strips and KERDI-BOARD panels. Built-in details include KERDI-BOARD-SB benches, KERDI-BOARD-SC curbs, KERDI-BOARD-SN niches and KERDI-BOARD-SNLT LED niches. KERDI-SHOWER trays form the shower base; KERDI-SHOWER-FRS is the floor-recessing system for a curbless entrance. Drain options include KERDI-DRAIN, KERDI-DRAIN-H, KERDI-LINE and KERDI-LINE-VARIO, plus the KERDI-LINE-TF tileable grate. The MAPEI sheet waterproofing products we install are Mapeguard WP 200 and Mapeguard WP ST seam tape. Liquid waterproofing options include Mapelastic AquaDefense and RedGard. Bring the selected product names into the planning conversation so the connections can be reviewed as an assembly.
Keep bathroom floor membranes distinct from shower waterproofing
For the adjoining tiled floor, systems we work with include DITRA, DITRA-XL, DITRA-PS and Mapeguard UM uncoupling membranes. Mapeguard UM can also be used over radiant heat. Mapeguard 2 addresses crack isolation, waterproofing and sound reduction; Mapesonic 2 is a sound-reduction option for condos and multi-unit buildings. These different roles should be identified in the scope rather than treating every membrane as the shower waterproofing layer. Our shower waterproofing service page groups the complete list, including the DITRA-HEAT floor-warming family and thermostats. A flood test of the shower base remains available on request.
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