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lisa_b9627

Quote said Kerdi but they are installing Acebond with liquid rubber?

7 months ago

Hello,

Our quote for the shower says Kerdi board walls, Kerdi membrane, Kerdi drain but looking at the shower it has Acebond boards up and taped and the guy doing it says he doesn’t plan to use Kerdi because using a liquid waterproofing solution is better.
I don’t know much about any of these options.
Do I object? Should I insist on him using what was quoted?

Comments (12)

  • 7 months ago

    Once you start mixing products and methods you lose the manufacturer's warranty. If you want a Kerdi shower, you should insist that you get a Kerdi shower.

  • PRO
    7 months ago

    I think I'd be upset at the change without a good reason. I recognize the Kerdi name. But trying to look up Acebond, there seems to be not much. China sourced comes up, but no reviews or bigger outlets seem to carry it. And what kind of liquid product, is it some spray flex seal or a paint on sort of thing or what? Is your quote supposed to change in relation to the change in materials, or were they hoping to just slide on by with it?

    I might be wrong, but it I would feel like I'm getting the cheap stick and paying for the fat bone.

  • 7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    Yeah I'm not familiar with the backer board, I'll be honest. But this looks like mixing two entirely different systems.

    He's got Kerdi mixed in with what appears to be a fiber cement board and then will get a top coating of waterproofing.

    You have two issues really, one is they're not using the waterproofing system they said that they were going to use. Second is that they are mixing waterproofing systems.


    That's a full stop until uou get this straightened out, and it really can't proceed as it is. What's more my trust that this contractor knows what he's doing has gone to almost zero.

  • 7 months ago

    If your contract specifies Kerdi - it should be Kerdi - unless you approved a change order in writing.


    I would expect a Kerdi shower. I wouldn't settle for whatever is being done in your photos. Kerdi has a good warranty - however, you can't mix it with other systems.


    I am 99.999999% positive the materials that are being used are less expensive than a Kerdi system would have cost. FYI - I never put 100% - but I would be SHOCKED if I was wrong re: the cost of materials.

  • 7 months ago

    They have emailed me saying that Acebond and Kerdi are interchangeable, but because I am not pleased they’ll cover the entire shower in a Kerdi membrane. I’ve read that Kerdi can be used on top of cement board. This is so frustrating.

  • 7 months ago

    Thanks Joseph, was thinking the same. Kerdi membrane should make it okay.

  • 7 months ago

    I would not be happy. Guaranteed the reason is the Aceboard is a fraction of the cost and they were hoping you would not notice. Frankensystem would not be my expectation when they listed full Kerdi. Were it me they would be doing the shower as quoted 100% or on their way out of my house AFTER demoing everything they have done and returned any deposits in full.

  • 7 months ago

    @millworkman: this is what my husband says as well. Our quote says Kerdi boards, Kerdi membrane, Kerdi drain etc

  • PRO
    7 months ago
    last modified: 7 months ago

    Better take a look at how they are doing the shower pan if they already cheaped out. If there is vinyl liner and 2x4’s anywhere, or the membrane on the pan isn’t properly integrated with the walls, you need to be much more of a PIA in insisting that you get what you *actually paid for*. They are trying to slide cheaper materials and shoddy work by you to increase the job profit.

    Watch Schluter’s Youtube to see how a proper system goes together. https://youtu.be/BfUrGF3_imc?si=6KiwFcBuTXZkZWJ4

  • PRO
    7 months ago

    I'm with milkwoman too. If you are paying for Kerdi, you should be getting that, not a cheaper something while being charged Kerdi prices. Or, if they insist on the other stuff, you quote should be changed to reflect the difference in material cost.

  • 7 months ago

    Thanks for the help everyone. Contractor pulled everything out and replaced with Kerdi board!