ANSWER Can you tell me if a pre-slope of a 1/4” per 12” was installed first then a liner placed over the pre- slope and sealed to the clamping ring drain, then the mud pack over that? Or, was a surface-applied water- proofing membrane installed on top of the sloped dry pack mud bed and sealed via the divot meth- od to the clamping ring drain? If not, the mud pan is going to hold water if there is no mem- brane channeling it to the drain system. Showers and pans are complex systems that must be installed properly to protect the rest of the structure they are installed in. I strongly suggest hiring a qualified professional to perform this instal- lation. The NTCA is the world’s largest association of tile contractors. You can locate an NTCA Member con- tractor and a Certified Tile Installer in your area by visiting the fol- lowing sites: www.tile-assn.com or www.ceramictilefoundation.org. – Mark Heinlein, NTCA technical trainer/presenter RESPONSE Thanks for the quick reply. It looks like I did all of the correct things outlined in your email with exception of the divot method. Now after reading up on the divot method I have questions. Does it require a drastic slope to LATICRETE has launched the installation-material industry’s first Live Chat online technical service functionality of its kind, allowing customers to connect directly with a LATICRETE Technical Services representative via web chat, email or phone call. Agents are available daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. “Live Chat raises the bar for the entire industry, with LATICRETE leading the way,” said Mitch Hawkins, Technical Services Manager at LATICRETE. “We’ll be able to provide instant, easy-to- access, five-star service to our cus- tomers across the globe by which- ever means is most convenient for them.” LATICRETE Live Chat, which is available on every page of the com- pany’s website, can be accessed through computers, tablets and smartphones, without having to download an app. Live Chat allows the technical services team to instantly address the current situation at hand while providing customers with instant access to information and assis- tance wherever they might be. www.laticrete.com ASK THE EXPERTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 22 TileLetter | October 2017