Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why should I use the TRUGARD Vapor-shield System?
A. The TRUGARD Vapor-shield Shower System is a complete assembly, bonding together to create a watertight envelope for tiled tub surrounds, showers, and steam showers to keep moisture away from and protect the structure. Unlike shower pan liners in conventional assemblies, the TRUGARD Vapor-shield waterproofing membrane, is applied on top of and bonded directly to the mortar bed, protecting it from becoming saturated and becoming a haven of moisture that leaves the shower area musty and humid encouraging microorganisms, mold and mildew growth. The TRUGARD DRAIN provides a simple and secure connection to the Vapor Shield membrane at the top of the assembly. The TRUGARD Vapor-shield Shower System eliminates the potential for leakage, efflorescence, and mold and mildew growth, leaving a maintenance-free healthy shower. Traditional methods for installing tiled showers is time and labor intensive, the TRUGARD System dramatically reduces total installation time making the overall shower installation better and easier than the old traditional systems, making the do-it-yourselfers and tile contractors raving fans.
Q. Can I install TRUGARD Vapor-shield over drywall for my tiling my shower?
A. Yes. Once you install TRUGARD Vapor-shield over the drywall panels, they will be completely protected from the water and vapor in your tiled shower.
Attention: Do not use a moisture or vapor barrier behind your substrate (drywall or cement/Hardie board) when installing Trugard Vapor-shield. A moisture barrier behind and in front of your substrate creates two waterproof barriers with your substrate sandwiched between them. All structures and substrates must " breathe". Any vapor or moisture trapped between them has absolutely no way to dissipate . This is referred to as a ‘mold sandwich’ which we absolutely want to avoid.
Q. I’m installing TRUGARD Vapor-shield over drywall in my shower. Do I need to tape the joints between panels before installing the Vapor-shield?
A. No. Although it is not necessary to tape the drywall joints, it is encouraged. If the drywall joints are taped, however, you must apply a latex primer over the taped joint area before installing the TRUGARD Vapor-shield, as this is a requirement to ensure a strong bond between the drywall and the thin-set mortar.
Q. What size trowel should I use to install TRUGARD Vapor-shield?
A. A 1/4" x 3/16" V-notched trowel is recommended. Mix your thin-set mortar to a fairly fluid consistency (but still able to hold a notch) and solidly embed the TRUGARD Vapor-shield into the fresh mortar with the flat side of the trowel (a drywall knife is handy for this purpose as well). It is good practice to periodically lift a corner of the Vapor-shield after embedding it in the thin-set mortar to check the fleece for full coverage.
Q. What type of thin-set mortar should I use when installing TRUGARD Vapor-shield?
A. Trugard Vapor-shield is designed to work with both unmodified and modified thin-set mortar for bonding the TRUGARD Vapor-shield to appropriate substrates and must penetrate and engage the Vapor-shield webbing.
Q. What type of thin-set mortar should I use when installing ceramic and stone tile over TRUGARD Vapor-shield?
A. For ceramic or stone tiles smaller than 18" x 18" - Modified thin-set mortar is recommended by the Tile Council of North America, to set ceramic and stone tile over appropriate substrates including the bonded polyethylene Vapor-shield membrane.
For ceramic or stone tiles larger than 18" x 18" - Portland cement-based unmodified thin-set mortars is recommended, because unmodified thin-set mortars are dependent on the presence of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength. Since TRUGARD Vapor-shield is impervious and does not allow moisture to readily evaporate, moisture stays present longer in the unmodified thin-set mortar which is advantageous to the hardening/curing of the thin-set mortar. This allows the cement to properly hydrate, resulting in a strong, dense bond coat.
Exceptions: Certain moisture-sensitive stones, e.g. green marble, or resin-backed tiles, may not be appropriate for use in wet areas or may require special setting materials. Please consult the stone supplier and TRU-GARD Vapor Systems for more information. For an acid-resistant covering, use an epoxy adhesive to set and grout the tile. However, do not use epoxy to install the TRU-GARD Vapor Shield membrane.
Q. How do I know if the thin-set mortar is modified or unmodified?
A. In general, unmodified thin-set mortar is a blend of Portland cement, sand, and water retention agents that is mixed with water by the user. The appropriate product standard for unmodified thin-set mortars is ANSI A118.1. Look for this standard on the packaging (e.g., product meets ANSI A118.1 when mixed with water). Unmodified thin-set mortar may also be referred to as dry-set mortar by the manufacturer.
Modified thin-set mortars are similar to unmodified thin-set mortars, but include additional polymers such as latex. The additional polymers are introduced in either liquid or powder form. In the first case, the user mixes an unmodified or dry-set mortar powder with a liquid polymer additive instead of water. In the second case, the polymers are added by the manufacturer to the dry blend in powder form. The user then mixes the powder with water. The appropriate product standards for modified thin-set mortars include ANSI A118.4 and ANSI A118.11.
Q. Can I use a premixed thin-set mortar to install Trugard Vapor-shield and tile in my shower?
A. No. TRU-GARD Systems does not recommend the use of premixed thin-set mortars (mastics/adhesives) in any TRU-GARD Vapor Shield installation.
Q. Is it normal for the Trugard Vapor-shield to easily peal away from the thin-set mortar the day after it is installed?
A. Yes it is normal. Thin-set mortar is a cement product. Cement is still "green" or not cured for several days. Cement actually takes 7 days to reach 70 percent of its strength. Modified thin-set mortar adheres quicker than unmodified, but both adhere extremely strong after 30 days, when the mortar is finally over 95 percent cured.
Q. I accidentally poked a hole through the TRUGARD Vapor-shield while installing the membrane. Do I need to start over or can I simply repair the hole?
A. Holes can absolutely be repaired by installing a “patch” of TRUGARD Vapor-shield with thin-set mortar or Trugard approved sealant, making sure to provide a 2" overlap from the hole in all directions. Small penetrations may also be repaired using the Tru-seal/EvoSeal sealant.
Q. Can I install glass tile over TRU-GARD Vapor-shield?
A. Glass tiles are unique products and may require special consideration. Please call TRUGARD Systems at (800) 427-3450 to discuss your particular application before installing glass tile over TRUGARD Vapor-shield.
Q. What is a water test? How do I perform one on the TRUGARD Vapor-shield Shower System?
A. A water test is a quality control check performed on any shower installation before setting tile. It basically consists of stopping the waste line with a test plug and filling the base of the shower stall with water to check for leaks. You can quickly check the test plug by filling the pipe and drain with water up to the height of the TRU-GARD-DRAIN integrated bonding flange (or a little below). If the plug is watertight, then you can continue filling the shower/Trugard waterproof assembly. The water level is marked and the assembly is left for a specified amount of time (24 hours is typical). If the water level remains at the original mark there are no leaks and the shower passes.
Note: We, Trugard Systems, requires two layers of protection in the shower pan area (the floor and a minimum of 2 inches up the wall) protection layer 1. All corners and penetrations in the Vapor-shield membrane pan to be sealed with the Trugard Tru-seal/EvoSeal. and protection layer 2. application of preformed inside and outside corners as described in the installation instructions.
Note 2: We require to a minimum of 24 hours after setting TRU-GARD Vapor Shield to begin water testing. This will allow the thin-set mortar to reach final set and ensure watertight performance at the seams under normal curing conditions (i.e., room temperature). If temperatures are much lower (e.g., around 50 or 60 degrees), then it is best to wait longer. If you are building a barrier-free shower, then you will need to provide a temporary dam (e.g., a PVC pipe and silicone sealant) at the threshold).
Q. What is crack isolation?
A. Crack isolation is a common practice used when installing tile over concrete or other substrates. By using a crack isolation product or system you can sometimes prevent settling cracks in the concrete/substrate from migrating up through the tile and/or grout.
Q. Does the polyethylene membrane have better crack-bridging abilities?
A. The pliable membrane has incredible yet limited crack-bridging capabilities and is forgiving as structures do move and settle. The polyethylene membranes can meet and exceed the ANSI A 118.12 testing requirements, whereas the liquid membranes that are painted on generally do not meet that ANSI testing standard. Many tile contractors have expressed this concern are leery to use the paint on liquid membranes compared to the polyethylene membranes as time has shown that many of the liquid membranes breakdown over time (typically 7 to 15 yrs), where as the polyethylene membrane is the same material that Coke bottles are made of, which they estimate break down time as 500 to 1000 years when not in sunlight.
A. The TRUGARD Vapor-shield Shower System is a complete assembly, bonding together to create a watertight envelope for tiled tub surrounds, showers, and steam showers to keep moisture away from and protect the structure. Unlike shower pan liners in conventional assemblies, the TRUGARD Vapor-shield waterproofing membrane, is applied on top of and bonded directly to the mortar bed, protecting it from becoming saturated and becoming a haven of moisture that leaves the shower area musty and humid encouraging microorganisms, mold and mildew growth. The TRUGARD DRAIN provides a simple and secure connection to the Vapor Shield membrane at the top of the assembly. The TRUGARD Vapor-shield Shower System eliminates the potential for leakage, efflorescence, and mold and mildew growth, leaving a maintenance-free healthy shower. Traditional methods for installing tiled showers is time and labor intensive, the TRUGARD System dramatically reduces total installation time making the overall shower installation better and easier than the old traditional systems, making the do-it-yourselfers and tile contractors raving fans.
Q. Can I install TRUGARD Vapor-shield over drywall for my tiling my shower?
A. Yes. Once you install TRUGARD Vapor-shield over the drywall panels, they will be completely protected from the water and vapor in your tiled shower.
Attention: Do not use a moisture or vapor barrier behind your substrate (drywall or cement/Hardie board) when installing Trugard Vapor-shield. A moisture barrier behind and in front of your substrate creates two waterproof barriers with your substrate sandwiched between them. All structures and substrates must " breathe". Any vapor or moisture trapped between them has absolutely no way to dissipate . This is referred to as a ‘mold sandwich’ which we absolutely want to avoid.
Q. I’m installing TRUGARD Vapor-shield over drywall in my shower. Do I need to tape the joints between panels before installing the Vapor-shield?
A. No. Although it is not necessary to tape the drywall joints, it is encouraged. If the drywall joints are taped, however, you must apply a latex primer over the taped joint area before installing the TRUGARD Vapor-shield, as this is a requirement to ensure a strong bond between the drywall and the thin-set mortar.
Q. What size trowel should I use to install TRUGARD Vapor-shield?
A. A 1/4" x 3/16" V-notched trowel is recommended. Mix your thin-set mortar to a fairly fluid consistency (but still able to hold a notch) and solidly embed the TRUGARD Vapor-shield into the fresh mortar with the flat side of the trowel (a drywall knife is handy for this purpose as well). It is good practice to periodically lift a corner of the Vapor-shield after embedding it in the thin-set mortar to check the fleece for full coverage.
Q. What type of thin-set mortar should I use when installing TRUGARD Vapor-shield?
A. Trugard Vapor-shield is designed to work with both unmodified and modified thin-set mortar for bonding the TRUGARD Vapor-shield to appropriate substrates and must penetrate and engage the Vapor-shield webbing.
Q. What type of thin-set mortar should I use when installing ceramic and stone tile over TRUGARD Vapor-shield?
A. For ceramic or stone tiles smaller than 18" x 18" - Modified thin-set mortar is recommended by the Tile Council of North America, to set ceramic and stone tile over appropriate substrates including the bonded polyethylene Vapor-shield membrane.
For ceramic or stone tiles larger than 18" x 18" - Portland cement-based unmodified thin-set mortars is recommended, because unmodified thin-set mortars are dependent on the presence of moisture for hydration in order to gain strength. Since TRUGARD Vapor-shield is impervious and does not allow moisture to readily evaporate, moisture stays present longer in the unmodified thin-set mortar which is advantageous to the hardening/curing of the thin-set mortar. This allows the cement to properly hydrate, resulting in a strong, dense bond coat.
Exceptions: Certain moisture-sensitive stones, e.g. green marble, or resin-backed tiles, may not be appropriate for use in wet areas or may require special setting materials. Please consult the stone supplier and TRU-GARD Vapor Systems for more information. For an acid-resistant covering, use an epoxy adhesive to set and grout the tile. However, do not use epoxy to install the TRU-GARD Vapor Shield membrane.
Q. How do I know if the thin-set mortar is modified or unmodified?
A. In general, unmodified thin-set mortar is a blend of Portland cement, sand, and water retention agents that is mixed with water by the user. The appropriate product standard for unmodified thin-set mortars is ANSI A118.1. Look for this standard on the packaging (e.g., product meets ANSI A118.1 when mixed with water). Unmodified thin-set mortar may also be referred to as dry-set mortar by the manufacturer.
Modified thin-set mortars are similar to unmodified thin-set mortars, but include additional polymers such as latex. The additional polymers are introduced in either liquid or powder form. In the first case, the user mixes an unmodified or dry-set mortar powder with a liquid polymer additive instead of water. In the second case, the polymers are added by the manufacturer to the dry blend in powder form. The user then mixes the powder with water. The appropriate product standards for modified thin-set mortars include ANSI A118.4 and ANSI A118.11.
Q. Can I use a premixed thin-set mortar to install Trugard Vapor-shield and tile in my shower?
A. No. TRU-GARD Systems does not recommend the use of premixed thin-set mortars (mastics/adhesives) in any TRU-GARD Vapor Shield installation.
Q. Is it normal for the Trugard Vapor-shield to easily peal away from the thin-set mortar the day after it is installed?
A. Yes it is normal. Thin-set mortar is a cement product. Cement is still "green" or not cured for several days. Cement actually takes 7 days to reach 70 percent of its strength. Modified thin-set mortar adheres quicker than unmodified, but both adhere extremely strong after 30 days, when the mortar is finally over 95 percent cured.
Q. I accidentally poked a hole through the TRUGARD Vapor-shield while installing the membrane. Do I need to start over or can I simply repair the hole?
A. Holes can absolutely be repaired by installing a “patch” of TRUGARD Vapor-shield with thin-set mortar or Trugard approved sealant, making sure to provide a 2" overlap from the hole in all directions. Small penetrations may also be repaired using the Tru-seal/EvoSeal sealant.
Q. Can I install glass tile over TRU-GARD Vapor-shield?
A. Glass tiles are unique products and may require special consideration. Please call TRUGARD Systems at (800) 427-3450 to discuss your particular application before installing glass tile over TRUGARD Vapor-shield.
Q. What is a water test? How do I perform one on the TRUGARD Vapor-shield Shower System?
A. A water test is a quality control check performed on any shower installation before setting tile. It basically consists of stopping the waste line with a test plug and filling the base of the shower stall with water to check for leaks. You can quickly check the test plug by filling the pipe and drain with water up to the height of the TRU-GARD-DRAIN integrated bonding flange (or a little below). If the plug is watertight, then you can continue filling the shower/Trugard waterproof assembly. The water level is marked and the assembly is left for a specified amount of time (24 hours is typical). If the water level remains at the original mark there are no leaks and the shower passes.
Note: We, Trugard Systems, requires two layers of protection in the shower pan area (the floor and a minimum of 2 inches up the wall) protection layer 1. All corners and penetrations in the Vapor-shield membrane pan to be sealed with the Trugard Tru-seal/EvoSeal. and protection layer 2. application of preformed inside and outside corners as described in the installation instructions.
Note 2: We require to a minimum of 24 hours after setting TRU-GARD Vapor Shield to begin water testing. This will allow the thin-set mortar to reach final set and ensure watertight performance at the seams under normal curing conditions (i.e., room temperature). If temperatures are much lower (e.g., around 50 or 60 degrees), then it is best to wait longer. If you are building a barrier-free shower, then you will need to provide a temporary dam (e.g., a PVC pipe and silicone sealant) at the threshold).
Q. What is crack isolation?
A. Crack isolation is a common practice used when installing tile over concrete or other substrates. By using a crack isolation product or system you can sometimes prevent settling cracks in the concrete/substrate from migrating up through the tile and/or grout.
Q. Does the polyethylene membrane have better crack-bridging abilities?
A. The pliable membrane has incredible yet limited crack-bridging capabilities and is forgiving as structures do move and settle. The polyethylene membranes can meet and exceed the ANSI A 118.12 testing requirements, whereas the liquid membranes that are painted on generally do not meet that ANSI testing standard. Many tile contractors have expressed this concern are leery to use the paint on liquid membranes compared to the polyethylene membranes as time has shown that many of the liquid membranes breakdown over time (typically 7 to 15 yrs), where as the polyethylene membrane is the same material that Coke bottles are made of, which they estimate break down time as 500 to 1000 years when not in sunlight.
About TrulineTruLine Linear Drains by Trugard.
The TruLine linear shower drain is part of the state of the art shower waterproofing system. The TruLine drain has 3 elegant grate styles and 4 lengths for any bathroom design. |
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