The Homeowner's Guide to 100% Waterproof Showers: Why We Use Wedi & Schluter in London, ON
- emilyburzynski0
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
The Problem
Most homeowners in London think that tile and grout are waterproof. They aren't. Grout is porous, and over time, water will get behind your tiles. If your contractor used old-school drywall or "green board," you are looking at a mold disaster in 5-10 years. At 519 Home Repair, we do things differently.
Section 1: What is the Schluter-Kerdi System?
Schluter is the "Orange System" you see on professional job sites. It uses a polyethylene membrane (Kerdi) that is applied directly to the walls.
The Benefit: It creates a sealed "tank" in your bathroom. Water cannot escape.
The Floor: We use Ditra-Heat for all our London bathroom renos. Not only does it make your floors warm for our Canadian winters, but it also prevents your tiles from cracking by "uncoupling" the tile from the subfloor.
Section 2: Why We Also Use Wedi Systems
Wedi is the "Blue Board" system. While Schluter is a membrane you put over board, Wedi is the board itself. It’s made of an extruded polystyrene foam core that is 100% waterproof all the way through.
Speed & Precision: Because it’s a rigid board, we can build perfectly plumb walls and custom niches much faster.
Curbless Showers: If you are looking for a modern, "curbless" walk-in shower, Wedi is often our go-to because of its incredible strength and pre-sloped pans.
Section 3: The "Certified" Difference & Warranties
This is where the 'handyman' guys fail. To get the Schluter Lifetime Warranty or the Wedi 20-Year PRO Warranty, the installer must be certified and use the specific brand-name mortars and sealants.
As a Certified Installer, 519 Home Repair & Reno provides you with a paper trail that protects your investment. If your shower ever leaks due to a product failure, you are covered for both materials and labor.
Your bathroom is the most expensive room in your house to fix if it's done wrong. Don't risk it.
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