Walls and Ceilings - Installing Shower Vapour Barrier?

Hey again Guys! :)

Following on from my other thread, I would like to hear feedback from your experiences on installing vapour barrier (clear plastic) behind Easyboard (or similar) in a shower area.

We have a shower pan/base, so I imagine I will have to let some of the plastic cover the lip of the shower pan, which should show below the backerboard & will be covered by the tile?

Do you simply staple it to the studs & tape it together, working from bottom to top, so the top plastic overlaps the bottom? (if that makes any sense)

Also, the guy in Home Depot muttered something about glueing over the staples??? ... I know we have Joist Glue, which is mainly to reduce screws used, but it's behind the tile, so should it matter one way or another?

Cheers ... and sorry for so many questions, but this is ALL new to me.

Cal :)

You were right on target until you interjected the deer-in-the-headlights comment from the big box guy. Those staple holes won't present a big problem. And you will be driving screws through the barrier anyway when you install your cbu. Never too many questions! Keep 'em comin'.

OK, I have a related question for chandler and others. Calman, your description of the VB extending over the lip of the shower pan implies it will drain any water that forms or finds its way through into the pan. From my understanding that is not the purpose of the VB. No condensation or water should ever reach the VB unless something is wrong, thus the lack of need to seal staple holes or screw holes. Complete the vapor seal at the top of the pan, yes, but don't worry about water flowing down the VB. Comments welcome

Bud

You're right. Theoretically there should be no infiltration of water and it is a "vapor" barrier, not a "moisture" barrier. I think the consensus is leaving the flap over the base as a drip edge safety measure. May do nothing, but you gotta do something with it.

Hey again Guys! :)

Thanks so very much for the feedback ... always music to my "novice" ears.

Yeah, our old shower setup had a leak & mold build up on the bottom, so we are a tad nervous about the moisture issue, hence the reason of asking about the vapour barrier tucked down onto the lip of the shower pan.

Good point about the staples, no idea what the Home Depot gut meant by that??

Also, time for a stupid question .... do I install the vapour barrier from left to right (as in, go all around the bottom of the shower, then come up and go right around the middle, top etc.) or do I start on two studs and cover from top to bottom, then move right and cover the next stud top to bottom, overlapping the poly? ... sure that's clear as mud!! *major chuckles*

I tried to look for a video clip showing vapour barrier installation, but failed! :(

Cheers.
Cal :)

No question is "stupid", it is only how you take the information and use it. BUT, your question is borderline :) JK. It doesn't matter which direction you apply it, as long as you have it draped and taped properly. You can run narrower poly around the perimeter then another on top, or do it vertically it doesn't matter.

You guys are ACE!!! *thumbs up*

Well, I'm not a budding artist by a long shot, but hope my wee dabble helps show you how I intend to install the Vapour Barrier!

http://members.shaw.ca/Liviboy/vapour.jpg

All the best! :)

You got it, hoss. Go for it!

.. thanks again for the reassurance, really needed it today!!

Also, one other thing, should I seal the VB at the top (other than stapling to the studs) ??

Otherwise, I think I will still go with the idea of stapling at the very bottom of the studs, letting ¼" poly sit into the shower pan lip (then throw on the Easyboard and tile right into the edge of the pan)

Does that sound logical?

Cheers! :)