shower pan questions

toolbelt Tina

I have watched numerous hours of HGTV and DIY and read everything. I am ready for my first big project a bathroom with shower. I need a bit of help. I might not use the right words for the parts so sorry in advance.

The proposed shower is in a low spot (water pooled there when I hosed down the concrete floor.) About an inch lower. Should I build it up with cement board, styrofoam or concrete? The drain elbow is set in gravel should I cement it over?

How many bags of concrete mix will I need to build a shower base? My dimensions are 3 x4. Those bags are heavy. Sure the boys load it up for me at the store but they don't unload. I bought one big bag so far. Us girls put a board on the bumper and rolled it down. Determination.

I bought a liner too. DO you slope the base first then add the liner and then add the next layer ? How long does it take to dry?

The shower mixer valve thing I am worried it will stick out or be recessed. It has a mounting plate with about an inch
for finished materials. Will this be enough to accommodate cement board tile and the thin set? I should set this right on the stud then?

How far up do I go with the cement board?The whole height of the shower? *ft walls. How come they don't make 4x8 sheets? 3x5 boards seem odd. Do I do the ceiling too?

I will need thin set to cover the joints and to tile the walls of the shower and floor of 8x9. How many bags will this be?

Thanks in advance, sorry for all the questions. I am both nervous and excited all at the same time.
Tina

What have I done

My wifes name is TIna! If you are HER knock it off. I will get to it!

toolbelt Tina

I just might be HER, you better put in some sweat equity soon just in case.

RippySkippy

Ok...now that's a funny exchange...

__________________
when it comes to breakfast, the chicken is dedicated, the pig is committed.
LMASD

al's sewer

personnally i would put in a precast shower base either molded stone of fiberglas but thats just me. alot easier than carrying bags of concrete.

MattCoops

There are a set of instructions here for mudding a shower pan.

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Matt | tile contractor
Charlotte, NC

RippySkippy

Another great source of information for building a shower base from the John Bridge tile forum. When you build a mud shower pan...you DO NOT use concrete.

__________________
when it comes to breakfast, the chicken is dedicated, the pig is committed.
LMASD

toolbelt Tina

I got a laugh from that one too.

I could have told him I am single and not his wife but it was easier to mess with him as he has some guilt and procrastination issues.

bye bye

toolbelt Tina

yes thanks I saw that one too. I also came up with some instructions on youtube. I never would have searched there.

I had some specific questions such as how far a 94 lb bag of portland mixed with the sand would go?

bye

Thurman

I have no procrastination issues, heck I could hardly spell it again. I do have a HandyMan business and by choice am not really busy at this time. Actually I do this often: We could barter dinner for my work. YES, I actually get HER, the customer to buy dinner for my work. Not a bad deal really. Where is Tina located? David

Quickdraw

From what Ive read building a shower pan isn't for the faint of heart. You should be able to call tile stores and find someone to build it for you for about $300-$400 including materials and the waterproof membraine.

toolbelt Tina

Y

Are you three course meal material or Burger King? I am in upstate Ny.

Tina

toolbelt Tina

I hope you are not saying that a girl can't do this ? Kidding.

It is a DIY forum afterall...

I am in a remote location. Hard to get tradespeople let alone a starting quote.

thanks
Tina

RippySkippy

Hey Tina,

If you have not done so already, you might look into the Kerdi system coupled with the dry pack mud pan link I provided earlier, it's a fantastic system, and straight forward. It's not that big of a deal, and I take it from reading between the lines your're a "can do" type of person, this should be right up your alley!

If you'd like to learn more about the Kerdi system, a fantastic resource is this page on building a Kerdi shower, and of course you can't forget about resources at Schluter.com, the installation manual, and the videos on this page. the best $10 you can spend is to download in a PDF file John Bridges Kerdi shower book, he talks about prep, making the mud pan, and using the kerdi membrane. Its one of those resources you should have IF your thinking at all about going that way.

If you are purchasing Kerdi supplies on line (not a single pro source around here carries the kerdi product) I've used and recommend these guys... The Tile Experts, and Tile Protection. I am NOT affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer.

The Kerdi system is the tops...and hands down the best way to go. It may be a bit more money upfront, but if it's installed correctly, you only have to do it once....choose your tile wisely!

__________________
when it comes to breakfast, the chicken is dedicated, the pig is committed.
LMASD

Quickdraw

Tina,

No, its just that it looked so involved and tricky that I'm going to PAY someone to do my shower pan and Im a man and didn't want to accept that a GIRL could do it <grin>