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building a new tile shower stall

4K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  runitup 
#1 ·
We have an old shower that is fiberglass walls and shower floor .The shower pan is cracked and we need to remove the whole unit which is direct stud to the walls. We need to know the steps in replacing the unit with a ready to tile shower pan and tile walls. What are the steps that we need to do to ensure a dry and proper installation of the walls and floor. Please help!
 
#3 ·
Welcome Debbie.
A couple of thoughts on your question.

First, building a tiled shower is an involved project. Doable, but there are a lot of steps that have to be done right to have it waterproof and done correctly. I don't mean to brush you off, but but you're sorta asking us to write a book. Spending some time here with the search function will give you a lot of useful information. Then please come back with specific questions.

Second, research the pans before you buy. The Schluter system Ron recommended is arguably the best choice, but the price reflects it. OTOH, the tile-redi pan doesn't have the best reputation here.
http://www.diychatroom.com/f80/tile-redi-shower-pan-question-33823/
Whatever pan you choose, the manufacturers website will have installation instructions also.

Third, tile and grout are not waterproof. Keep in mind whatever system you use or however you build it, it should theoretically be waterproof before any tile goes in.

Lastly and again, use our search function. It will lead you to a lot of threads on this subject that will be helpful. I know when I did my shower last year it answered a lot of questions I didn't know I had.
 
#9 ·
I will second or third the recommendation to use the Schluter system. If you would like a link to their product try this, http://www.schluter.com/143.aspx
If you would like to try to build your own mud pan for the shower you don’t have to order the whole kit.
Most of the Schluter showers I build are with the mud pan and kerdi.


Hi we rage which would you recommend for an average diy er
the mud pan or kerdi kit
 
#2 ·
Check out the Schluter website. Look at the shower systems.
There are a number of videos that show you the procedure for each product.
 
#4 ·
Rons suggestion is easy for a first timer and bullet proof (almost:laughing: in the wrong hands someone could sink the Titanic)

If you wish to build a traditional hand packed base for tile ,just ask and we can help with that,too.
 
#5 ·
The hand made base now has a easy system that you can buy for a fraction of the cost of a Schluter system. It comes with a weep screen, 3 piece drain, and slope sticks that you lay out and then lay "mud" on top of them. They even have a curb system that is based off the same plastic grid. Looks like a great product and they showed it on the " This Old House".
 
#6 ·
The hand made base now has a easy system that you can buy for a fraction of the cost of a Schluter system. It comes with a weep screen, 3 piece drain, and slope sticks that you lay out and then lay "mud" on top of them. They even have a curb system that is based off the same plastic grid. Looks like a great product and they showed it on the " This Old House".
That system has been around for twenty years or more and is only another version of the traditional mud-cast shower receptor.

Not anywhere near the state-of-the-art Schluter system.

Cheaper? Yes. But you get what you pay for.

Much more labor intensive to install than the Schluter system and when it is all said and done you still haven't improved over the old method of casting a shower receptor.:)

Schluter offers a totally different concept in waterproof leakproof systems that those older styles can't offer.:)

The fact that the manufacturer paid to have the product featured on This Old House means absolutely nothing.:)
 
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