Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask

Moisture Barrier under Swanstone Shower Walls

Asked Feb 5, 2012, 07:48 AM — 2 Answers
I am framing in a new shower stall. There are no exterior walls to this shower. I am installing solid surface Swanstone over 1/2 inch cement board attached to wood studs. I was thinking I would not need a moisture barrier under these conditions. Much of the CBU is up. Any comments are welcome.

Search this Thread
Share |
2 Answers
massplumber2008's Avatar
massplumber2008 Posts: 10,566, Reputation: 5097
Plumbing Expert
  
#2

Feb 5, 2012, 02:32 PM


Hi Murztwins

Many different schools of thought here.

Best case would be to install a 15LB felt paper (tar paper) over the studs BEFORE installing the cement board.

Next best would be to roll a waterproof membrane over the entire surface of the cement board once it is installed, but with swanstone walls I don't think that is correct procedure!!

Others would say that with no outside walls and no STEAM SHOWER UNIT being installed you don't even need a vapor barrier (I am not one of those people).

In this case, I would have to tell you to contact the manufacturer of the product for a final say on this.

I do know that swanstone will require that you roll a water or oil based primer over the cement board before installing the swanstone walls. This should be clearly stated in the instructions under USE CEMENT BOARD...

Back to you...

Mark

PS: DO NOT install a double vapor barrier by installing insulation on inside walls with vapor barrier toward bathroom, OK?
Helpful  (1)
ballengerb1's Avatar
ballengerb1 Posts: 25,644, Reputation: 11296
Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
  
#3

Feb 5, 2012, 02:51 PM


Swanstone does not require a vapor barrier but it is so cheap do do just go ahead and lay down 15lbs felt or visqueen. However, I never have and have had no issues. he biggest failure installing a Swanstone is forgetting to grout the base in with Structolite or dry mixed drywall compound or even flooring thinset. A slight flex can happen to the floor of the base and that will result is noise and eventual leaks at the drain. Didn't you get a booklet like this one? http://www.swanstone.com/images/link.../BK-326072.pdf
Helpful  (1)
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.

Remove Text Formatting
 

Undo
Redo
  
Decrease Size
Increase Size
Bold
Italic
Underline
Align Left
Align Center
Align Right
Ordered List
Unordered List
Decrease Indent
Increase Indent
Insert Email Link
Wrap [QUOTE] tags around selected text
Wrap [CODE] tags around selected text
Wrap [HTML] tags around selected text
Wrap [PHP] tags around selected text
Wrap [YOUTUBE] tags around selected text
Notification Type:



Check out some similar questions!

why is there moisture dripping on the floor from behind the vapor barrier? [ 1 Answers ]

we put an addition on to our home and as diyers just finished the vapor barrier this morning the floor is wet in a couple of places and the insulation is wet on theoutside wall of the house ... we also live in saskatchewan where last week it was - 30 today it is 0 degrees celcius.... do i have to...

Do I need a moisture barrier? [ 2 Answers ]

If I have already installed (screwed in the cement board to the studs in my shower, do I need to remove the cement board to install a moisture barrier, or will I be okay? If I must redo everything, what type of moisture barrier do I need to buy and install?

Vapor Barrier on Shower Walls? [ 3 Answers ]

If your installing a shower should you put a vapor barrier behind the cement board or seal the cement board with redgard? I've heard both is bad, so one or the other. One wall is on an exterior wall and has a vapor barrier already.

Moisture barrier [ 1 Answers ]

Does anyone know if a moisture/air infiltration barrier (i.e. TYVEK etc.,) is code for an outside wall (particle board) on a home in Virginia? :)

Moisture barrier under cement board in shower [ 3 Answers ]

Hi, I'm framing in a new stall shower, have looked at web sites on the subject and most experts suggest putting a moisture barrier under the cement board. I can see why that would be good. One company, which produces a thick (15 mil) membrane for this application, also shows a detail in which a...

View more Plumbing questions Search