Hi guys!

Sorry if these questions have been asked already. I did do a search first...

1) I am about to add kerdi membrane above my newly installed bathtub. The Schluter info says to run vertical panels of membrane, then add corner strips. Is there any reason why you wouldn't add horizontal strips instead? No need for a 2" overlap in the corners! Just use a 90 degree trowel from drywall taping and get nice crisp corners. Am I missing something?

2) I recently grouted my some porcelain floor tile. I didn't clean enough of the grout off when I wiped it after it set, and now there is a very thin haze over the tiles, that soap and water isn't getting off. Any suggestions on how to buff it off?

thanks very much. I appreciate the great info, as always.

1. Is this a tub with a shower? If you're going up to the height of the shower head (standard height), it's easier to run the ends of the tub vertically and there will be less waste. The back wall, which is usually 5' wide, can be run either direction, you'll have about the same amount of waste either way. Just make a 2" overlap where the two pieces meet. You don't have to use Kerdi band there. Then you can you can use Kerdi band in the two corners.

It's almost impossible run a row of Kerdi around all three walls at the same time. You won't be able to put it up or work it in fast enough. Stick to one wall at a time.

2. Try a mixture of white vinegar and water, about 3 water to 1 vinegar. If that doesn't work, mix it half and half and try it again. If that doesn't work, there are some stronger solutions, but you want to try the mildest first. How long since you grouted it?

1. Yes, it is a basement bathtub with a shower, with 5' of wall space above the tub. I've seen a few shows (Holmes on Homes for instance) where they've run the sheet around all 3 walls. Does unmodified set-up that quickly? Can you not section off a lower area and add the thin-set to just that space, or add it as you push on the mat? I have a photo of someone who ran it around all 3 walls but I can't find a photo link.

2. I'll give that mix a go, thanks for the tip! It's been about 2 weeks since grouting.

Thanks again.

If your walls are the least bit out of plumb your screwed for doing it in one pc. It's also much harder to get the air bubbles out.
Unmodified requires a 24 hour dry time in ideal conditions. And don't be tempted to start picking away at the Kerdi to see if its stuck. Leave it alone to cure.

Kerdi suggests using special pre-formed corners.

Has anyone just used a 90degree trowel and used a 4"-5" extra strip of the base sheet to fill the corners?

That was the last question! I promise!

Before they made the preformed corners, that is what we did. The nice thing about the preformed corners...you don't get the build up of layers like you used to.

Why is that? Don't you still put the corner on top of the wall sheet, which would be 2 layers?

Yeah, but the material is thinner, and they fit really well, so you don't have so much thin set underneath. Plus being one piece, you are not overlapping onto its self...which eliminates at least one layer.

Thanks for the tip. Kerdi is up, tiling this weekend!

I am putting up a larger subway tile... 4" x 12", would a 3/16th v-notch trowel be sufficient, or should I go bigger?

If I'm buttering the back of the tile, perhaps that would make the 3/16th work...

I usually use a 1/4"x 3/8".