[kadetklapp]

Greeting gents (and ladies). The last couple of weeks have been stormy and rainy in Indiana. Subsequently, my basement, which is often prone to getting damp anyway, flooded, due in no small part to a ruptured sump pump discharge hose which put about 350 gallons of water into my basement.

So, I had to completely demo my downstairs bathroom. It wasn't a huge loss, considering how wet it had been over the years and how poorly built it was. I plan to reframe the room in steel and use green board and cement board to rewall. The catch is I would very much like to make this bathroom "utilitarian" in nature, meaning, that I could hose the dog off in it, get it wet, and not have to worry a whole lot about water damaging anything, especially if I get another wet basement :whistling2:

So I planned to build a cement shower area. My ignorance led me to believe that I could simply curb-off an area in the bathroom near one of the two drains in the floor, and VOILA, shower area. However, I've since learned this may cause severe damage to the concrete. I then saw the agonizingly complicated process of building a mold, pouring portland inside it, extending the drain, putting down roofing felt, putting down a bladder or liner, then pouring finish cement. This looks stupid complicated, quite frankly, considering I"m already on a concrete floor with a masonry brick wall.

So any suggestions? I'm very much against a pre-fab shower kit which requires assembly and might last ten years of light use. Not to mention, I would have to raise it up off the floor about six-eight inches in order to plumb the drain. I saw some shower pans at Home Depot that are "tile ready" and look like just what I need, but the prices (nearly $600) are absolutely ridiculous. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[AllanJ]

Bare concrete is porous and can become impregnated with soap residues. It can also develop wear spots where people walk with slippers or scour it to keep it clean.

 

[kadetklapp]

So it looks like I get to spend half a grand on a tile ready shower pan and then cut the concrete floor to install a P-trap. Wonderful. I guess nothing is easy.

 

[Leah Frances]

So it looks like I get to spend half a grand on a tile ready shower pan and then cut the concrete floor to install a P-trap. Wonderful. I guess nothing is easy.

Good for you for looking around for information first. Just be glad your first post wasn't 'I just built myself a cement shower. Should I be worried?' :thumbsup:.

If utility is all you need, why not the pre-fab? I know they aren't the most glamourous option, but all you need is a place in your basement to shower off your dogs and rinse your boots, right? The dogs don't care.

No flood insurance to claim against?

 

[kadetklapp]

Good for you for looking around for information first. Just be glad your first post wasn't 'I just built myself a cement shower. Should I be worried?' :thumbsup:.

If utility is all you need, why not the pre-fab? I know they aren't the most glamourous option, but all you need is a place in your basement to shower off your dogs and rinse your boots, right? The dogs don't care.

No flood insurance to claim against?

Well, I guess while I want it utilitarian I still want it modern and classy, if that makes sense. I was planning a shower seat and the whole 9.

Honestly, I hate pre-fab showers. I really really really do. They get dingy really quick. And the wife is interested in tile.

As for insurance, good 'ol State Farm made sure to screw me pretty good. My basement was "damp" but I was managing with my shop-vac and sump pump. Then my discharge line on the sump ruptured while I was at work my first day back from vacationing in Florida. I came home to a German Shepherd at the top of the stairs soaking wet. I had an inch to two inches in the basement bathroom area. State Farm said "whoops! you didn't buy "sewage and drain backup" insurance!" so no coverage for me. I'm all on my dime right now.