Shower floor pans are out of sight and not something you normally think about. But when you see water where it shouldn't be, you start learning in a hurry!
Then I learned that the tile guys in our area are all very busy, so you get to wait for someone to get to your job. I paid close attention when Mr. Davis finally got there, because it looked like that would be an interesting do-it yourself project. After watching the whole job, I know a handy person can install shower floor pans successfully.
Here are the basic steps.
Repair any damage
Usually damage will be to the sub floor in and around the shower pan. Remove rotted material and replace it. If water has damaged walls or ceilings in floors below, you could be looking at big repair bills. Avoiding these problems is why you want the job done right.
Install drain base
Tile floors are water-resistant but not water-proof. So the mortar that's exposed to water absorbs water. Mix the mortar properly, otherwise it will crumble and fail over time. It's very important that the correct drain be properly installed to let whatever water weeps into the mortar reach the drain and move out. At this stage the drain base is roughed in.
Build the curb
Build any threshold forms and pour mortar mix to establish the correct shape.
Build the sloped mortar base
Build your slope in here. The slope moves all the water to the drain which prevents mold, fungus and odors. Build a roughly two inch thick base that slopes to the drain. This bed must cure before the next step.
Install the shower floor pan liner membrane and drain top
A flexible waterproof membrane goes above the mortar base. The membrane is a rubber-like material that's waterproof and undamaged by household chemicals. The membrane goes up the sides of the wall a few inches. One of the tricks is how to fold the liner in the corner.
Install the second mortar bed
A second mortar bed is installed over the liner and reinforced with wire.
Install tile
After the second coat of mortar cures, install a coat of thinset.
Then install tile. Let thinset cure then grout.
Puzzled about how to build tile showers? Need more information? Visit our site for shower floor pans tips.
We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for answers to your ceramic shower questions.
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