Use and Care Guide

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DensShield
®
Tile Backer
Testing and Code Recognition
Robinson Floor Test/ASTM C 627 – DensShield
®
Tile Backer has passed the industry standard test conducted by the Tile
Council of North America for residential and light commercial floors.
Adhesion Bond Testing – CTC-Geotek conducted tests comparing adhesion capabilities using various setting materials. The
tests concluded that bonds with DensShield Tile Backer were as good, if not better, than bonds with cement board.
Moisture Wick Testing – The Ceramic Tile Institute wicking test CTI-T83 procedures showed that within a 24-hour period,
cement board wicked at least 3” (76 mm) up the board while DensShield Tile Backer wicked less than 1/3” (8 mm) during that
same period.
Shower Test – In a test by an independent testing laboratory, DensShield Tile Backer was subjected to a shower of water at
110˚F (43.3°C), 12 minutes per hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for six months. The installation had no grout between the
tiles. No deterioration occurred to either the DensShield backer board, the framing members or the wall cavity.
The DensShield Tile Backer test was designed to represent 12 years of regular shower use. Although cementitious
backer boards would not likely deteriorate under the same conditions, the possibility exists for deterioration of
framing members and the wall cavity due to water infi ltration if a moisture barrier isn’t positioned behind the
cementitious backer unit.
Percolation Test – The percolation test helps determine if an additional moisture barrier should be installed. The test consists
of a 2” (51 mm) diameter tube, 48” (1220 mm) long, bonded to test samples with silicone sealant. The tube is filled with water
and after 48 hours, the remaining water is measured (minus evaporation).
During testing 1/8” (3 mm) of water passed through DensShield Tile Backer, 19” (483 mm) of water passed through one cementitious
tile substrate sample and 43” (1092 mm) of water passed through another sample of cement board. The test demonstrates
DensShield Tile Backer stops water at the surface, while cement boards allow water to pass through their porous
construction. The Tile Council of North America requires the use of a membrane in wet areas for cement backer boards but
does not require a membrane for DensShield Tile Backer since DensShield panels have a built-in moisture barrier that stops
moisture at the surface.
Mold Resistance Test – When tested, as manufactured, in accordance with ASTM D 3273, DensShield Tile Backer has scored
a 10, the highest level of performance for mold resistance under the ASTM D 3273 test method.
The score of 10, in the ASTM D 3273 test, indicates no mold growth in a 4-week controlled laboratory test. The mold resistance of
any building product when used in actual job site conditions may not produce the same results as were achieved in the controlled,
laboratory setting. No material can be considered mold proof. When properly used with good design, handling and construction
practices, Dens
®
Brand gypsum products provide increased mold resistance compared to standard paper-faced wallboard. For more
information, go to www.gp.com/safetyinfo.
DensShield Tile Backer is the first and only tile backer listed as a GREENGUARD microbial-resistant product by a leading third-
party organization, GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. This listing means DensShield Tile Backer, which features fiberglass
mats instead of the paper facings used on the surface of traditional gypsum tile backers, resists mold growth. The microbial
resistant test is based on ASTM Standard D 6329, a testing standard set by ASTM International, which develops testing
guidelines and procedures for building materials, products, systems and services.
Standards and Code Compliance – DensShield Tile Backer in 1/4” (6.4 mm), 1/2” (12.7 mm) and 5/8” (15.9 mm) thicknesses
conforms to the requirements of 2009 IRC and 2009 IBC and is manufactured to meet ASTM C 1178 as a fiberglass mat gypsum
substrate for use as tile backer. DensShield Tile Backer has the following evaluation reports: ICC-ES ESR 2903; New York City
MEA 65-88-M.
DensShield Tile Backer installation information is listed in the current Tile Council of North America (TCNA)
Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation.