[fix1968]

Hello All

My first post and I am happy I found this resource. I'm doing a basement shower on a concrete slab. The drain is done. Old slab patched. I'm doing a pre-slope made of mud (quick-crete sand topping mix) before the liner. Then another mud slab on top of the liner. It is 4'x6' and I have heard of additives to prevent mud (mortar) pans from cracking over time. Latex etc. Does anyone have a suggestion on what I should add if anything? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Marc

 

[oh'mike]

No additive needed or wanted--here is a good step up step link.
How to build a shower - Building a shower pan with pre-sloped mortar bed, liner and curb.

May I also suggest that you look into a Hydroban shower? Simpler to do than the lined one.
Google --Latacrete--then look for thier video on building a Hydroban shower.

 

[oh'mike]

Moved to 'tile' for you.

 

[JazMan]

I recommend you bond the deck mud to the slab regardless of whether you go with the old traditional or surface waterproofing method.

Once you decide with the precise method, get back for more specifics. This shows the preparation of a Kerdi shower.

See the white thinset in the pic.

Jaz

 

[fix1968]

Thanks

I am using an Oatey 40mil VC pan liner and durock 1/2" backer board for the walls and ceiling. Then a few coats of redgard to seal it. It's kind of the old way I guess. It's too late to turn back because I have all the materials.

My plan is to put polymer fortified thinset on the slab and then my preslope. (1-2" thick with 1/4"-12" grade). Then liner then I will add another mud slab ~ 2" thick to build up to the drain.

Any advice is appreciated. I attached a pic of where I am now.

How wet do I want my mud? Any mixing recommendations?

Thanks everyone.
Marc

 

[oh'mike]

Your drain set looks a bit higher than it needs to be--if it's glued in--you will still be fine.

Keep that mix dry --like the instructions say---it will work---The first time I saw deck mud I was skeptical about it bonding--so the tile guy gave be the leftovers in a bucket.

20 years later, it is still a hockey puck in the yard under a statue.

The fat mud for the curb is mixed a bit wetter---

I usually leave the bottom blocking out on one side of each corner--handy to tuck the folded corner into a 'pocket' and avoid bulging the durrock.