Can you tile over RedGard in a shower?

Author: Ned Cummings  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 2025

Care should be taken to prevent the membrane from becoming contaminated by bond inhibiting materials, solvents or being punctured after application. Cover RedGard with tile, an additional coat of liquid, a flat application of mortar or UV blocking sheeting if not to be tiled within 72 hours when exposed to sunlight.

Can I tile directly over Redguard?

For tile installations bonding directly to the substrate; strongly recommended to apply at least one full coat of "undiluted" RedGard® to the "dry" primed area and allow to dry completely before tile installation work is to begin. When used as a vapor barrier, apply one full coat (70 sq. ft.

How long to let RedGard dry before tiling?

The product is dry when it turns solid red with no pink showing, normally 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Depending on ambient conditions, drying time can take up to 12 hours. A water test can be conducted 72 hours after application if required. Clean tools and hands with water before material dries.

What tile adhesive to use with RedGard shower?

Tile and Stone Installation

Use epoxy adhesive meeting ANSI A118. 3 for moisture sensitive tiles or where chemical resistance is required.

Does thinset stick to waterproof membranes?

The thin-set mortars recommended for waterproofing membranes are polymer-modified thin-set mortars. Do not use mastics such as Type 1 or Ultramastic ECO on waterproofing membranes.

Avoid These Two Pitfalls When Applying RedGard

What type of thinset to use over RedGard?

Moreover, the Flexbond modified thinset (sold at HD, for example) specifically lists redgard as one of the surfaces it can be applied to and therefore, following manufacturer recommendations, a person should be using a modified thinset like flexbond over Redgard.

Can you tile directly over a waterproof membrane?

You can tile straight onto membrane waterproofing, as long as the surface is smooth and non-porous. Liquid waterproofing should not be tiled onto directly, as it needs time to cure before a tile adhesive can be applied. Porous surfaces, such as concrete, need to be sealed before tiling.

How many layers of RedGard do I need for a shower?

Allow these areas to dry before re-applying. For general waterproofing, apply RedGard® at a rate or 110 sq. ft per gallon in each coat. NOTE: A minimum of two coats is required when using a roller or brush to assure that continuous coverage is achieved.

Can I use Mapei Premium Mortar over RedGard?

Ready-to-use tile adhesives such as MAPEI's Type 1 and Premium Mortar for tile and stone require a porous substrate to cure properly. They should not be installed over a waterproofing membrane.

What is the best tile adhesive for shower walls?

Thinset is also moisture- and heat-resistant, making it ideal for tiling showers, countertops, bathtubs, or any other area that gets too wet or hot. Thinset is the go-to option for outdoor applications, such as patios and swimming pools.

When can you tile after waterproofing?

Once your room has been waterproofed and left to cure for 24 hours, the tiling process begins.

How many gallons of RedGard for a shower?

RedGard Creates a Waterproof and Crack Resistant Membrane

Applying RedGard to any surface is super easy. If you can paint a wall you can use RedGard. And for this shower, we only needed one gallon.

Is premixed thin set mortar better than powder?

It depends on the specifics of what you're working on. For small, indoor projects or beginner DIYers, pre-mixed thinset is convenient and easy to use. But for larger areas, outdoor projects, wet areas or anything involving heavy tiles, powdered thinset is the better choice due to its strength and versatility.

Does Redguard prevent cracks?

RedGard Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane prevents cracks in tile and stone floors due to surface movement. The membrane also produces a moisture barrier.

How to remove redguard from tile?

We can recommend using any solvent strippers like a paint strippers or paint removers to safely melt the Red Gard off of the tile installation.

What kind of tape do you use for Redgard?

RedGard® Seam Tape - CUSTOM Building Products.

Will thinset stick to redguard?

The adhesive mortar (thinset) used for installing RedGard Fabric Membrane must be appropriate for the substrate and should thoroughly embed in the RedGard Fabric Membrane. To minimize installation duration, precut RedGard Fabric Membrane to size ahead of mixing adhesive mortar (thinset) for installation.

What is better, mastic or thinset?

Compared to some thinsets, mastic has a superior holding strength and it is easier to apply. Mastic has several major drawbacks when used as a tile adhesive. It is not recommendeded for use in any environment that is exposed to moisture.

Is RedGard a good waterproofing?

Makes an awesome waterproof barrier. I have used REDGARD on walls and floors, had excellent results. Even after a year with only using 7/16" OSB on top of 3/4" subfloor, my tile is still flawless.

Is one coat of RedGard enough?

CUSTOM®'s R&D lab has tested and found that a continuous single coat of RedGard® is sufficient to waterproof WonderBoard® Lite cement backerboard-covered walls for shower application in order to meet building code requirements.

How long does it take RedGard to cure?

At 40°F and with a relative humidity of 25%, it will take two coats of RedGard SpeedCoat approximately 8 hours to cure before flood testing.

How soon can you tile after waterproofing?

Once the waterproofing membrane's been installed – and after it's been left undisturbed for a couple of days to properly cure – it's time for the tiles to be put on wherever they're required.

What is the best waterproofing before tiling?

Apply a Waterproof Membrane:

To provide an extra layer of protection, it's advisable to apply a waterproof membrane on the entire surface that will be tiled. This membrane serves as a barrier against water penetration and helps prevent any potential leaks.

Can you tile on top of a membrane?

ANSWER - Ceramic tile can be adhered directly to certain types of waterproof membranes, which are designed for ceramic tile or stone. A roof that has a concrete substrate, over interior occupied space, can have ceramic tile or stone installed on top of it.

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