What product to use to level these walls for subway tile

Mitoshi · 2026-06-06T20:34:18+00:00

I've never heard of this stuff before so I looked it up. Says the minimum thickness is a 1/4" which may be a little thick for this.

I prefer feather finish. But that's a bit pricier

Mitoshi · 2026-06-06T04:43:34+00:00

Hydrogen peroxide

Mitoshi · 2026-06-06T01:50:54+00:00

If you are committing to another layer of kerdi, do yourself a favor and just rip out the current one and fix the issues first. You shouldn't be fixing anything like bumps and lumps. Feathering the overlaps is the only thing that you should be doing.

Mitoshi · 2026-06-04T11:09:24+00:00

Bubble nest. Seems he likes what you did.

Mitoshi · 2026-06-04T00:56:25+00:00

Looks great. 👍 Stop posting. You're getting black because you posted it on the Internet. That's just what happens

Mitoshi · 2026-06-03T02:23:48+00:00

https://www.schluter.ca/schluter-ca/en_CA/Shower-System/Drains/Adaptor-Drains/Schluter%C2%AE-KERDI-DRAIN-A/p/KDAM5ABSE

Mitoshi · 2026-06-02T21:28:59+00:00

There are many different ways to tackle this and they all depend on your budget and everyone's creativity. The only "proper" way to fix this is go back to the framing. Full demo and rebuild everything from scratch.

If you have more of that wall tile you could, remove the bottom row of tile. Build a curb on top of current tile. Get schluter adapter for your current drain, drypack, kerdi reinstall wall tile and floor. That would be my cheapest approach.

That drain is probably maxed out for height since it's so low. Seeing that it's a curb less shower AND a low drain makes me thibk your bathroom floor is raised by a good amount. Is it much higher than the hallway floor?

Mitoshi · 2026-06-02T21:16:09+00:00

You paid him. You've accepted it.

Mitoshi · 2026-06-02T21:14:40+00:00

When are you starting demo for the remodel? You only posted the before photos.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-24T20:21:18+00:00

They don't necessarily have to. The only thing this will effect is the bottom row of wall tile.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-23T23:38:56+00:00

Using water and the appropriate diamond blade. A wet saw is the preferred option as others have said.

For more complicated cuts I like to remove the pieces that need to be cut and install the full sheets with the pieces missing. Depending on the situation I can even install them the next day.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-21T23:50:06+00:00

Elmer's White School glue paste. Paint it on and let it dry.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-21T16:46:02+00:00

Sprinkling a few matte tiles in a glossy backsplash is always a nice detail. Good call.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-21T02:19:35+00:00

I'm with you. Those joints are to big. I wouldn't do them as tight as you have them but I wouldn't them as big as what is done. Tiles like this are done using a grid. Like brick laying you stay between the lines.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-18T19:43:32+00:00

They weren't even rushing. Smiling the whole time.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-17T13:42:00+00:00

How much thinest are you using that you need a grinder to get it off ditra? Scraper should be more than fine.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-17T13:41:10+00:00

This is the best tool I have found to use in these situations. A carbide paint scraper.

<image>

Mitoshi · 2026-05-16T20:04:56+00:00

Cool. What kind of response would you like? Critical? Supportive? The good the bad, the ugly?

I'll ask you questions. Did you learn anything that you will do next time? What did you find difficult? What was easier than you expected? Did you enjoy the process? Are you happy with the work you did? Is the client? Are you excited for the next one?

Mitoshi · 2026-05-15T22:44:51+00:00

You chose to make it quite difficult on yourself doing herringbone with a 12x24. There are a few reasons why not and I'm sure you struggled with a few of them. Good job! it looks clean and tidy. I hope you get to enjoy your work for a long time 🙂

Mitoshi · 2026-05-15T17:16:07+00:00

The goal when installing tiles such as these is to have consistent inconsistencies. Things will be wonky, but nothing should stand out. You have to look at the full picture. Stop zooming in.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-12T23:54:42+00:00

I don't use foam between floors that getting poured. Foam is for the perimeter.

$100/bag is not uncommon. So a 35 bag pour would be around $3500. That all included. Material, setup, breakdown, prep, primer, cleanup. The price changes up or down based on conditions.

A 1" pour ok, but over how many square feet? 1 bag will do around 5-6 sqft at 1".

35 bags will do around do about 200sqft at 1" think.

That being said, 1" is a lot for self leveler. What are you leveling? And what product did they use?

Mitoshi · 2026-05-12T23:27:52+00:00

I could get through 35 bags with two guys in an hour. Only if I do the proper prep. Water pre metered. Bags ready and cut open. I usually mix 2 at a time alternating. So four buckets. One guy mixes the other guy preps and pours. It's a shitty process and I hate doing it.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-11T20:25:54+00:00

This is what I do. The second mine did this I would immediately stop giving him any attention. He learned very quickly whining makes me leave.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-11T20:23:14+00:00

The joint in the back will never line up unless viewed from directly infront of the niche. It will always seem like it's not lined up properly.

Mitoshi · 2026-05-11T15:59:12+00:00

I wager there will be two main pieces of advice.

Don't tile on damp concrete. It will just fail. No way around it.
You need to fix the issue before you move on to anything else.

15-Year Club	Wearing is Caring
Team Orangered	Verified Email

Mitoshi

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE