Just used my first one last week and I like it. It was easy to put in, I was able to build the slope the way I wanted and far as I'm concerned I think it's a better drainange system than most others I've used. I'm not sure of the cost though in comparison because it was the builder's purchase not mine.

Hi Mike,

I use them too.For about a year and a half I've done all showers with Kerdi membrane.Technically,applying a waterproof membrane is more hygienic in the long run.

The drain is well engineered and looks nice too.
Gotta love that it is square and stainless steel.Also,I like that the cover can be removed without damaging the grout since it has a frame around it that is grouted against.

They cost me $80 each and comes with approx. 10 s.f. of Kerdi membrane.

Hi
I like them too...but are they covered by the building code yet?....never seen them in a new home.

I don't know about Canada, but I've not been able to find any localities in the States where that method is approved.

I've stated elsewhere that the idea is a good one. It makes a lot of sense to keep the water from getting into the mud bed. I'm just not at all sure the Kerdi system will hold up over the long hall. Maybe after about 20 years we can take a survey, eh?

John
The plumbing and building codes here still contain some archaic methods and are not up to date.I'm sure that the same applies to the U.S.

If the tile industry in North America is just discovering 10 year old innovations from Europe,you can bet that the national standards associations in Canada and the States will be yet another decade behind.

John,you must know by now that I,too,am a tilesetter who believes wholeheartedly in the old-fashioned mud methods and will often insist on using only these systems.However,if I can make the job even better and see the integrity in some of these new products,I will promote them too.For example,often I have laid a mud bed AND Ditra membrane on top.The best of both worlds

I've only used the Kerdi drain once so I won't say much about it. It was easy to put in but I wish there was more of a mechanical fastener somewhere on it like maybe another ring under the mortar-bed or something. :p

Harry I share your concerns about the Kerdi Drain and it's ABS body. I also don't care for the drain being installed by my plumber and then having to come back and back in the deck mud.

It works a lot better for me when I can be onsite when my plumber is there but often we are at two different jobs.

Lots of people are unaware that any shower drain needs to be installed by a Plumber. This is mentioned and current code in Canada.

2005 and 2010 National Plumbing Code books.

Lately we have been going "Old School" with a nice compression drain and using a Nobel Flex flashing...

From there deck mud and Hydro Ban!

I find this system makes for easier scheduling and allows us to conform to National Plumbing Codes.

Schluter want the drain set into deck mud and my plumber does not carry this around with him day by day...

JW

I have installed the kerdie drain systems in our town, Fort Bragg, Ca usually for a flush pan, and even after dropping by the DVD to explain the install at our local building dept, my inspector would not initialy pass the water test, he wanted to know where the weep holes were, when I pulled them out of the keri box and set them in place and pulled the drain plug, he signed off but to this date he does not like this method

I too would rather see a more robust drain unit from Schluter. However, the conventional method has such a large heap of drawbacks that I try to promote Kerdi drains to all the builders I work with. IMO compression drains are about $200 to $300 more expensive to install than Shcluter. Having to mud the curb, add a second mortar bed, fur out studs to allow for liner folds, and using cement board, all this adds up to an extra 4 to 5 hours labor.

I have never had a an inspector say anything negative about the Schluter system. Most inspectors I find have a keen interest in keeping up with modern methods.

My above post was back in 2002. I'm sure I've installed over 100 of the Kerdi drains since then. They all held up just fine

But I'm stepping away from the Kerdi drain and membrane and focusing on linear drains for my showers. They're pricy, but I think the results are well worth it. I will be using more HydroBan and Wedi board in most of my showers from now on.