Schluter-KERDI-LINE is a low profile linear
floor drain specifically designed for bonded waterproofing assemblies. The floor can
be sloped on a single plane to KERDI-LINE, which enables the use of large-format tiles and
creates interesting design opportunities.
There are a variety of different grate
designs available for KERDI-LINE, including a tile grate option, all giving endless
opportunities to create stunning designs!
The KERDI-LINE channel body and
grate are sold separately.
In the channel body box you will receive:
A channel support that is customizable to a wall or intermediate installation, a no-hub coupling
required for plumbing connections and a channel body with an integrated KERDI collar,
And waterproofing accessories including:
Schluter®-KERDI-KERECK inside
and outside corners.
And finally, a Schluter®-KERDI-SEAL-PS pipe
seal and KERDI-SEAL-MV mixing valve seal.
Depending on your grate design
choice, you will receive:
A grate
And a grate frame with height
adjustment spacers.
Specifically designed for use with the KERDI-LINE
drain are the Schluter-KERDI-SHOWER-LT and Schluter-KERDI-SHOWER-LTS are sloped shower
trays. The trays are made of lightweight, expanded polystyrene with integrated
Schluter-KERDI waterproofing. They are available in several different sizes and
for both wall and center drain placement.
The substrate is clean, even and load-bearing. Any leveling of the floor must be done prior to
the installation of the KERDI-LINE channel body.
Let’s start the installation.
First, dry-fit the components.
Lay the channel support on to the back of the
shower tray. Mark where the flat end of the tray needs to be cut away. The tray also features
a guide that matches KERDI-LINE lengths.
Cut the flat end of the KERDI-SHOWER-LTS
shower tray to fit around the channel support.
Dry fit the tray, channel support, and channel
body to verify proper positioning and fit.
This demonstration assumes that there
is access to the plumbing from below and the waste line can be connected
after installing KERDI-LINE.
When there is no access to the plumbing from
below, install and connect the Schluter-KERDI-LINE to the waste line simultaneously. Please refer
to the “No Access Plumbing Demonstration with KERDI-LINE” video for this method and return
to this video when that work is complete.
Make sure the substrate is
clean and free of debris.
Apply any of our Schluter® thin-set
mortars, OR an unmodified thin-set mortar to the substrate with a notched
trowel where the drain is to be placed.
A 1/4 inch x 3/8 inch square or U-notched
trowel is used to apply the mortar.
Solidly embed the channel
support into the mortar.
Next, we’ll install the shower tray.
Using the same notched trowel, apply a thin layer of mortar to the substrate
with the flat side of the trowel to produce solid contact with the surface and then comb additional
mortar using the notched side of the trowel.
Install the tray flush with the
surface of the channel support.
Place a cut section of cardboard
over the tray to protect the KERDI and solidly embed the tray into the mortar.
Apply thin-set mortar to the
top of the channel support…
…and press the channel body
firmly into the mortar, ensuring full support of the bonding flange.
Check to make sure KERDI-LINE is level.
Next we’ll begin the waterproofing connections.
Remove the tape from the KERDI collar.
The KERDI collar needs to be trimmed where
the KERDI-LINE is adjacent to the walls. Mark the KERDI collar where necessary and cut.
The KERDI collar on KERDI-LINE is integrated
with the adjoining waterproofing assembly using any of our Schluter® thin-set
mortars, or an unmodified thin-set mortar.
The mortar is mixed to a fairly fluid
consistency, but still able to hold a notch.
A 1/4 inch x 3/16 inch V-notched trowel or
the Schluter-KERDI-TROWEL, which features a 1/8 inch x 1/8 inch square-notched
design, is used to apply the mortar.
Apply a thin layer of the mortar with the
flat side of the trowel to produce solid contact with the surface and then comb additional
mortar using the notched side of the trowel.
Embed the KERDI collar into the thin-set
mortar using the flat side of the trowel or a dry wall finishing knife to ensure
full coverage and remove air pockets.
The next step is to install the
KERDI-KERECK inside corners.
The inside corners must be cut at the
KERDI-LINE to avoid overlap into the channel.
Apply thin-set mortar to the area where the
KERDI-KERECK inside corners are to be installed.
Embed the KERDI-KERECK into the thin-set
mortar using the flat side of the trowel or a dry wall finishing knife.
Holding one side of the corner in place while embedding the other side in the mortar
helps keep corner installation simple and easy.
Repeat the process at the
remaining inside corner.
Continue installation of the various accessories
to complete the waterproofing application.
Measure and cut sections of KERDI-BAND such that
a 2 inch overlap is achieved at all junctions.
KERDI-BAND may be creased prior
to installation to help maintain tight corners and make subsequent
tile setting as easy as possible.
Apply thin-set mortar to the area where
the KERDI-BAND is to be installed.
Embed the KERDI-BAND into the thin-set
mortar using the flat side of the trowel or a dry wall finishing knife.
Note that a 2 inch overlap can be achieved at KERDI-KERECK without continuing KERDI-BAND
all the way to the corner of the shower.
This will limit build-up of the membrane in
these areas and make setting small tiles easier.
Repeat this process at all
remaining joints ensuring that the minimum 2 inch overlap
is achieved at all transitions.
The order of Schluter-KERDI waterproofing
installation may vary from that demonstrated, as long as all surfaces are covered and 2
inch overlaps are maintained at all seams.
A water test is recommended before setting tile
to verify a successful waterproofing installation. This evaluation may be required by building
code officials on some projects.
Wait 24 hours after the membrane installation is
complete to allow for final set of the mortar and to ensure waterproof performance of the assembly
at seams and connections before water testing.
Please refer to the How to Perform a Water
Test video for this method and return to this video when that work is complete.
If tile is to be set on floors adjacent to the shower, consider the use of the Schluter-DITRA
uncoupling and waterproofing membrane, which can be sealed to the Schluter-Shower System to provide
comprehensive waterproofing in the bathroom. More information is available in the
“DITRA Connection to Shower Base Video”.
There are a variety of different grate
options available for KERDI-LINE, including a tileable option.
The installation process is the same for the various grates, with the exception
of the KERDI-LINE Tile Grate Option.
If the Tile Grate option is used, please refer to
the “KERDI-LINE Tile Grate Installation” video.
Once the waterproofing is complete, the
grate assembly and tile can be installed. Remove the tape from the channel body.
The grate frame is set in conjunction
with the surrounding tiles.
Apply any of our Schluter® thin-set mortars,
OR an unmodified thin-set mortar to the underside of the grate frame along the back
and sides and place it into the channel body, ensuring full coverage and support.
Insert the foam spacer into the grate frame to reinforce it during the
remainder of the tile installation.
Insert the height adjustment spacers on to the
tabs along the inside of the grate frame.
Dry fit the tile and turn the bolts to adjust
the frame to sit slightly proud of the tile, taking in to account the thin-set mortar
that will be used to install the tiles.
Fill the front side of the grate
frame with thin-set mortar. Full coverage of thin-set mortar
under the grate frame is essential.
Immediately clean away any excess setting
material from the surface of the grate frame.
Install the tile up to the grate frame,
making sure to use an appropriate sized notch trowel for the tile. Back butter the
tile as needed to achieve full coverage.
Make any final adjustments to ensure the grate
frame is even with the surrounding tiles. It’s important to do this while the thin-set is
still workable to ensure a flush transition.
Install the remaining tiles on the shower
base and curb. Finally the grate is set in to the frame to complete the installation.
With their high-design appeal, linear drains make a statement in the shower. With KERDI-LINE
drains and the variety of grates available, your shower will be stunning and
completely waterproof underneath!
If you still have questions, please contact our
Customer Support Specialists. For more information on Schluter products, visit schluter.com or check
out our YouTube channel to view our videos!
