[CarreraDan]

Randy,
To answer your questions, use a shop vac before laying the thinset, then shop vac the Hardibacker before laying the tile. I have never had a problem with traffic on Hardibacker, just don't roll anything really heavy onto the edge--walking on it shouldn't be a problem--you can crush it. As for the dogs, the Hardibacker will not break down under water--again it shouldn't be a problem. When you get your slate down I would seal it if you are worried about the dogs. Another thing to check out is Home Depot's stainproof grout. It is a pain to use but you cannot stain it--I have tried everything I can think of including brake fluid, oil, etc--it will not stain. I always use thinset (Flexbond) under the Hardibacker, then use Hardi's screws--my clients are paying for a professional job so why not do it the right way--and afterall it is only 56 screws per sheet, not that I have ever counted or anything. If you work one sheet at a time it really isn't that bad, I always precut and test fit my Hardibacker before I start laying it with the thinset and screws.

KT, Redgaurd is a very good product if you follow the directions and use it like Custom recommends. For an experiment we took a shoebox and sealed it with Redgaurd, then filled it with water. After two weeks it didn't leak and I was tired of refilling it so I gave up. Personally, I don't use it but it does work and a few friends have been happy with it.

One last thing for anyone looking for good flooring advice is to ask around at the home improvement stores in other departments for who is the best. I was trained by three flooring masters at Home Depot who had over 110 yrs combined experience with flooring. Granted none of us any longer work there but that is a different story. If anyone has any questions feel free to PM me.