In which order are your products installed?

1. Pre-Pitch
2. Kirb-Perfect
3. Weep Hole Protector
4. Quick-Pitch
StringA-Level

What type of cement do I use?

We recommend 4 parts clean sand / 1 part Portland Cement. Many tile distributors and home stores offer it pre-blended and dry bagged.

Where can I purchase your products?

You can find the current list of Dealers and local distributors on our website www.markeindustries.com or call us for assistance.

Why do I need to use Pre-Pitch?

Pre-Pitch produces a properly pitched subfloor UNDERNEATH the pan liner, sloping the liner itself. This encourages water movement towards the drain to escape through the weep holes. This eliminates ponding of stagnant water between the liner and the mud bed inside the liner, This will help reduce mold and bacteria growth.

Your video shows wire lath and tar paper under Pre-Pitch, is this required?

Yes, only on wood sub floors. The wire reinforces the mud bed and the felt paper keeps moisture from being absorbed into the wood subfloor.

How much of a pitch does it create?

Both Pre-Pitch and Quick Pitch create the code minimum requirement ¼ inch fall per foot.

What does “reverse mark” mean?

It's a way of measuring for a cut without using a ruler. Put the thin end of the stick to the wall and mark the cut at the drain, then spin it around and secure in place.

Do I use a weep hole protector with Pre-Pitch?

No. It's installed on top of the liner, not under it.

Is Pre-Pitch attached to the subfloor?

Yes. The correct screws for wood and 2-faced tape for concrete are included in every Pre-Pitch kit.

How large of a shower can Pre-Pitch build?

Just like Quick Pitch, Pre-Pitch will extend 6 feet out from the drain. They both can accommodate up to a 12 foot by 12 foot wet area with a centered floor drain.

Should I level the floor before I use Pre-Pitch?

Only if necessary...when the subfloor is not reasonably flat and level. Pre-Pitch can't correct the subfloor before sloping it properly. In this situation, a self-leveling compound or other means of leveling should be considered prior to installing Pre-Pitch.

Is Pre-Pitch only used with vinyl liner?

Pre-Pitch can also be used to form a "thin bed" type mortar bed that is typically used with Linear Drains for curbless entry showers. This bed would then need to be waterproofed with a sheet membrane type waterproofing to the drain before being tiled

Why should I use Kirb-Perfect?

Kirb-Perfect is designed to slide over the membrane wrapped 2x4 or 2x3 curb. Then nailed to the outside wall of the curb only. Kirb-Perfect preserves the integrity of liner by not puncturing it through the top or inside wall.

How long of a curb can I make?

Unlimited. Located on both ends of each 30 inch section of Kirb-Perfect are dovetail connectors. These lock the sections together before being filled with mud which makes Kirb-Perfect unlimited.

Can I trim Kirb-Perfect to make a shorter curb?

Yes, but keep in mind, the mud bed and tiled shower floor cannot be thinned. Requirements state mud beds should be a minimum 1½ inches thick at the drain.

Is Kirb-Perfect pitched?

Yes. The top section has the pitch built into it. Embossed arrows point in the direction of the fall.

What type of cement do I fill it Kirb-Perfect with?

Fill with the same Portland/Sand mix used for Pre-Pitch.

Do I have to use 2x4's with your curb?

We recommend it, although there is a way they can be eliminated by sandwiching the liner between the inside and outside wall sections when screwing them together. Fill with Portland/Sand mix for a solid cement curb. Check your local Plumbing Codes if this is an acceptable alternative method.

Explain why you manufacture 3 different Quick Pitch kits?

Standard Quick Pitch Kit (QPK-101) includes 6 sticks and the center ring that holds the sticks around the drain riser. This kit is for an area in which the distance from the walls or curb do not exceed 36 inches from the drain.

Extra Float Stick Kit (XFS-101.2) includes 4 standard sticks and is generally needed for curved custom showers or showers with more than 4 walls. Also for use where drains are 36 inches or less from the walls.

Extended Float Stick Kit (EFS-103) include 4 sticks that engage into the ends of the Standard Sticks extending the sticks up to 72 inches long. Keep in mind that if Extended Float Sticks will be used, you will most likely require Extra Float Sticks because all the float stick ends should be 2-2 ½ ft. from each other for easier screeding, so addional float sticks will often be needed.

Does Quick Pitch produce a level perimeter?

No, this approach severly increases the amount of slope to the floor overall. If a level perimeter is desired, raise the stick ends up to a level line with the 4-to-1 mud mixture, then fill the cells and screed to the top of the sticks as normal. Keep in mind that this could create an unsightly shaped floor surface. We recommend allowing Quick Pitch to perform as designed and it will create the perfect slope as shown in the installation video.

Will Quick Pitch work for off center drains?

Yes. Our installation video demonstrates an installation with the drain at one end as in a tub being removed to create a shower.

Won't Pre-Pitch and Quick Pitch together double the pitch to ½ inch?

No. The Quick Pitch Center Ring rests on top of the clamping flange bolt heads of the drain, which raises the system up to allow for water to flow to the weep holes. This compensates for the Pre-Pitch, eliminating the doubling of the pitch.

Do I have to use your drain and liner?

Quick Pitch will work with all liners and all standard adjustable riser shower drains.

Will Quick Pitch work without using Pre-Pitch?

Yes, but both are recommended when 40mil Vinyl Liner is used for waterproofing. In many areas it is against plumbing codes to build a shower without some type of subfloor slope under the liner.

What should I use to set the tile to the mortar bed?

A latex modified thin set is recommended.

Is cracking ever an issue where the float sticks are in the mud bed?

No, the float stick design allows the cement mix to surround them and becomes structurally reinforcing, similar to wire in concrete.

What are these and what do they do?

Made of thin plastic, we have found them to be very reliable in keeping cement from blocking any of the weep holes in shower drain assemblies.

Do I purchase pieces individually?

StringA-Level is available individually or in kits. The Standard Kit (SLSK-0404) includes 4 red Rigid sections and 4 yellow Flexible sections accommodate a 3' x 5' or smaller shower. The Contractor Kit ( SLSK-1010) includes 10 of each. Both kits include a storage bag. The Flexible and Rigid sections and each of their corresponding bubble vials are also available individually.

Why should I use washers?

Durock, HardieBoard, high/low thread type screws have ribs under the head that help embed them into the hard material. Over time, these ribs start to take a toll on the mounting slots in the levels. The use of washers prevent this wear from happening.

What do I do if StringA-Level doesn't layout perfectly?

Individual sections do not need to interlock in order for StringA-Level to be useful. Their strength and accuracy won't be compromised if sections cease, then begin again around outside corners. Inside corners can be bridged instead of the flexible pieces fitting in tight, etc.