What a Proper Waterproofing System Looks Like Behind Tile

Why We Standardized on Schluter

Early on, we made a decision as a Raleigh remodeling contractor to stop mixing and matching shower components. Traditional builds often rely on cement board, a liner buried under mortar, and separate drain assemblies. Those systems can work when done perfectly. The problem is that they leave room for error at transitions, seams, and penetrations.

Schluter provides a complete waterproofing assembly. The membrane, drain, corners, and accessories are designed to work together. There is no guessing whether one manufacturer’s product bonds correctly to another.

For us as a Raleigh remodeling company, standardizing on one system means we build the same proven assembly every time. That consistency matters more than brand labels.

What Is Actually Behind the Tile in Our Showers

When we remodel a bathroom, the waterproofing is installed before any tile goes up.

Here is what that looks like in practical terms.

Waterproof Backing or Membrane

We install a waterproof layer directly behind the tile. That layer is continuous. Water does not reach framing or subflooring.

Cement board alone is not considered waterproof. It can handle moisture exposure, but it does not stop water migration. Our approach prevents water from ever reaching structural materials.

Sealed Seams and Corners

Every joint is sealed. Every inside corner is reinforced. Plumbing penetrations are addressed intentionally.

Showers do not fail in the middle of a wall. They fail at seams and transitions. That is where we focus.

Integrated Drain Connection

The drain is tied directly into the waterproof membrane. This creates a sealed transition from the floor to the plumbing system.

Water that reaches the surface membrane flows toward the drain without soaking into layers below. That difference is what prevents long term saturation.

Why This Matters in Raleigh Homes

In many Raleigh home remodeling projects, especially in older homes, we find showers that look fine from the outside but have moisture damage underneath.

Older methods relied on liners buried under mortar beds. Once water worked its way through grout, it could sit in those lower layers. Over time, that led to deterioration.

Using a surface applied waterproofing system changes how water behaves. It stays on top of the membrane and moves toward the drain instead of soaking into the structure.

For homeowners planning bathroom remodeling in Raleigh, this is not a visible upgrade. It does not change the tile pattern or the fixture selection. It changes how long the shower lasts.

Our Position on Waterproofing

We do not view waterproofing as optional. It is not an upgrade tier. It is the base standard for how we build. When A Hammer and Nail Construction installs a shower, the goal is simple. Water should never reach framing. Ever.

That principle guides the system we use and the way we install it. Tile finishes the room. Waterproofing protects the house.