I'm having some issues with my contractor who applied Redgard a few days ago. They first applied a thin coat, and didn't even cover the corners of the shower properly. After insisting on a second coat, I was pleased with how it looked, but then I found them putting thinset on one of the walls just 30 minutes after the second coat was applied, while the Redgard was still slightly pink. I'm worried about the potential problems this could cause. I had chosen this contractor based on good reviews, thinking I was making the right choice over going with a cheaper handyman. Would really appreciate insight on what issues I might face due to tiling over a wet Redgard surface.
2 Answers
You’re right to be concerned! Redgard really needs to be completely dry before you put tile on it. If they’re tiling over it while it’s still wet, you could run into serious issues with adhesion later on. It’s essential for the membrane to be thick enough as well, which just a single coat usually won't provide. You might want to reach out to the manufacturer to get their take on how long it typically takes to dry.
So, they really should have waited until the Redgard was fully dry! If it wasn’t thick enough and they started tiling, that can compromise your walls. You might end up with problems down the line like tiles lifting or moisture seeping through. Just keep an eye on it and consider asking them about their plan to resolve this, especially since the tile is already in place on two walls.
Definitely check for even the slightest signs of peeling or water damage down the line. It’s often easier to fix things now before they become bigger problems!
Yeah, definitely don’t ignore this. If the Redgard isn't cured properly, the tiles could start peeling off or even develop mold behind them.