Use and Care Guide
3
FLOOR DRAINS
Metallic-coated grates are stainless steel 304 
with a metallic coating created using physical 
vapor deposition (PVD). The resulting metallic 
film is very hard and corrosion-resistant. 
Textured color-coated grates are stainless 
steel with a powder coat. 
Anodized aluminum grates feature 
an anodized layer that retains a uniform 
appearance during normal use. The surface 
may be damaged by grout or setting material. 
Therefore, these materials must be removed 
immediately.
Installation
The installation instructions below represent the 
use of KERDI-DRAIN and KERDI-LINE in floor 
applications. Installation instructions for the use 
of KERDI-DRAIN and KERDI-LINE in shower 
applications can be found in the Schluter
®
-
Shower System Installation Handbook.
KERDI-DRAIN
Preparation
After locating the correct position, cut a hole in 
the substrate for the drain outlet and coupling 
to the waste line using the template provided.  
Note: Fill in box-outs in concrete floors with 
dry-pack mortar. A pipe coupling or similar 
can be used as a form around the waste 
line. Select form to accommodate the drain 
outlet and mechanical no-hub coupling (when 
applicable). Limit the diameter of the hole to 5" 
(125 mm) maximum to ensure proper support 
of the tile assembly. A larger hole can lead to 
lack of support and damage the tile assembly 
(e.g., cracked grout around drain).
Drain installation
Access to plumbing from below
If there is access to the plumbing from below 
and the waste line can be connected after 
installing KERDI-DRAIN, the drain can be 
installed in conjunction with the mortar bed.
1.   Place a ring of loose mortar up to the inlet 
hole in the floor and firmly press the drain 
into the mortar. The bonding flange must 
be fully supported to prevent damage to the 
tile assembly (e.g., cracked grout around 
drain). When installing KERDI-DRAIN over 
wood substrates, the minimum thickness 
of mortar required at the perimeter of the 
bonding flange is 1" (25 mm).
2.   The screed is then placed flush with the top 
of the bonding flange of the KERDI-DRAIN. 
Slope the mortar bed using the bonding 
flange and mortar screeds as guides.
No access to plumbing from below
When there is no access to the plumbing 
from below, install the KERDI-DRAIN to the 
appropriate height prior to the installation of the 
shower base.
1.   Begin the drain installation by dry fitting 
the components. Measure and cut a 
section of pipe to connect the KERDI-
DRAIN to the odor trap below the floor, 
using the foam spacers included with 
the drain as a spacer. When installing 
KERDI-DRAIN over wood substrates, the 
minimum thickness of mortar required at 
the perimeter of the bonding flange is  
1" (25 mm).
2.  Prepare the odor trap, cut section of 
pipe, and KERDI-DRAIN with cleaner, 
primer and ABS or PVC cement per the 
solvent cement manufacturer's instructions 
and connect. Use a no-hub coupling for 
stainless steel drains with no-hub outlets, 
and thread sealing compound or tape for 
stainless steel drains with threaded outlets. 
3.   Pack loose mortar under the drain up to 
the inlet hole to ensure solid and uniform 
support of the bonding flange. The screed 
is then placed flush with the top of the 
bonding flange of the KERDI-DRAIN. Slope 
the mortar bed using the bonding flange 
and mortar screeds as guides.
Clamping ring drain already installed
If a clamping ring drain is already installed, the 
drain must be replaced with KERDI-DRAIN or 
converted using the KERDI-DRAIN adaptor kit.
1.   If using the KERDI-DRAIN adaptor kit, 
remove the clamping ring from the installed 
drain and save the bolts for installation 
of the adaptor ring. Align the bolt pattern 
of the clamping ring with the matching 
punch-outs in the adaptor ring. Punch the 
matching inserts out through the stainless 
steel adaptor ring.
2.   Apply a continuous 1/4" - 3/8" (6 - 10 mm) 
bead of KERDI-FIX to the underside of the 
adaptor ring. Align the holes in the adaptor 
ring with the bolt holes in the installed drain 
and place the adaptor ring on the installed 
drain flange. Re-insert and tighten the bolts 
using a star pattern. Bolts are to be finger-
tight plus 1/4 turn; do not overtighten, as 
this may warp the adaptor ring and result 
in leaks.
3.   Slide the adaptor flange into the adaptor 
ring and ensure full support under the 
adaptor flange with mortar. The screed 
is then placed flush with the top of the 
bonding flange of the KERDI-DRAIN. Slope 
the mortar bed using the bonding flange 
and mortar screeds as guides.
   Note: Schluter
®
-Systems strongly 
recommends a leak test be performed 
on the connection between the drain and 
waste line prior to continuing on with 
the remainder of the installation whenever 
possible. Refer to local plumbing and/or 
building codes for any specific requirements 
in your area.
Connection to waterproofing 
membranes
The KERDI or DITRA waterproofing membranes 
can be installed over the mortar bed as soon 
as it can be walked upon.
KERDI
1.   Apply Schluter SET
®
, Schluter ALL-SET
®
, 
Schluter FAST-SET
®
 or unmodified thin-
set mortar to the bonding flange and  
surrounding mortar bed with a 1/4" x 3/16"  
(6 x 5 mm) V-notched trowel or the 
KERDI-TROWEL, which features a  
1/8" x 1/8" (3 x 3 mm) square-notched 
design. The thin-set mortar must be mixed 
to a fairly fluid consistency, but still able to 
hold a notch.
   Note: When using the stainless steel 
bonding flange, the membrane is bonded 
to the integrated bonding flange with 
KERDI-FIX adhesive/sealant. The stainless 
steel bonding flange must be clean and 
free of grease or other contaminants prior 
to KERDI-FIX application. 
2.   Embed KERDI in the bond coat and work 
the membrane onto the KERDI-DRAIN 
bonding flange and mortar bed with the flat 
side of the trowel to ensure full coverage 
and remove air pockets. The membrane 
is carried to the step in the bonding flange 
(template provided).
DITRA or DITRA-XL
1.  DITRA or DITRA-XL is installed up to 
the outer edge of the KERDI-DRAIN 
bonding flange. Apply Schluter SET
®
, 
Schluter ALL-SET
®
, Schluter FAST-
SET
®
 or unmodified thin-set mortar to 
the mortar bed surrounding KERDI-
DRAIN with a 1/4" x 3/16" (6 x 5 mm) 
V-notched trowel or the DITRA-TROWEL, 
which features an 11/64" x 11/64" (4.5 x  
4.5 mm) square-notched design. The thin-
set mortar must be mixed to a fairly fluid 
consistency, but still able to hold a notch. 
Solidly embed the matting into the bond 
coat using a float, screed trowel, or DITRA-
ROLLER.
2.  DITRA or DITRA-XL is sealed to the 
KERDI-DRAIN bonding flange using 
a cut section of the KERDI membrane.  
Apply Schluter SET
®
, Schluter ALL-SET
®
, 
Schluter FAST-SET
®
 or unmodified thin-
set mortar to the bonding flange and 
surrounding membrane with a 1/4" x 3/16"  
(6 x 5 mm) V-notched trowel or the KERDI-
TROWEL, which features a 1/8" x 1/8"  
(3 x 3 mm) square-notched design.
 Note: When using the stainless steel 
bonding flange, the KERDI is bonded to 
the integrated bonding flange with KERDI-
FIX adhesive/sealant. The stainless steel 
bonding flange must be clean and free 
of grease or other contaminants prior to 
KERDI-FIX application.










