First clue.....advise from HD.
Second clue....look at the shower pan installation instructions.
Second clue....look at the shower pan installation instructions.
Thinset vs Floor Mud?
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I had regular mortar on the cart when the guy asked me about my project. When he directed me to the Floor Mud bags by Sakrete, it said right on the bag - designed for shower receptors. I was at a loss. Didn't know if this was some kind of new product for that application or what.
Couple things. The pan instructions to use "mortar." The term is pretty generic.
Second, the instrucitons say the pan shoudl sit in a 1"-2" mortar bed. The pan is 36x60 = 15 sqft, hence that many bags. At least that's the calcuation for 'floor mud.'
The pan is made by Sterling and has little feet underneath like most pans. Also, there is a cross pattern design throughout the entire bottom. If I use the pile method, there would be no place for the mortar to flow to. The plastic crosses on the pattern would prevent it from spreading.
I think I need a wet mixture at exactly 1". Each of those small squares undernearth the pan is exactly 1" deep. OR just a tad more to accomodate for the area between the height of the feet and the depth of the squares....Take a look at the picture.
The pan is made by Sterling and has little feet underneath like most pans. Also, there is a cross pattern design throughout the entire bottom. If I use the pile method, there would be no place for the mortar to flow to. The plastic crosses on the pattern would prevent it from spreading.
I think I need a wet mixture at exactly 1". Each of those small squares undernearth the pan is exactly 1" deep. OR just a tad more to accomodate for the area between the height of the feet and the depth of the squares....Take a look at the picture.
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I use the Sterling Vikrell products in both their showers and replacement tubs. You won't need as much mud as you're figuring. That unit is strong enough to set without any, however, I always do. Mortar mix is fine, nothing fancy required. You're not trying to fill up all those square recesses. The grid work that hangs down will embed itself into the mortar and allow you to level the unit. Then let it dry overnight, don't step in it. Check your floor with a good level in several directions and see if it's off. The mortar is needed more on the low areas than the high areas. On a 5' tub, which is basically the size you are dealing with, I would mix up one bag of mortar, loose, spread it out and carefully set the unit on top. Check with a level at both ends and across the unit and then gently wiggle into the mortar. Don't try to press it all the way so it bottoms out on the concrete.
And in the future, if a big box employee asks what you're doing, pretend you don't speak English.
Mike Hawkins:smile:
I think I need a wet mixture at exactly 1". Each of those small squares undernearth the pan is exactly 1" deep. OR just a tad more to accomodate for the area between the height of the feet and the depth of the squares....Take a look at the picture.
I use the Sterling Vikrell products in both their showers and replacement tubs. You won't need as much mud as you're figuring. That unit is strong enough to set without any, however, I always do. Mortar mix is fine, nothing fancy required. You're not trying to fill up all those square recesses. The grid work that hangs down will embed itself into the mortar and allow you to level the unit. Then let it dry overnight, don't step in it. Check your floor with a good level in several directions and see if it's off. The mortar is needed more on the low areas than the high areas. On a 5' tub, which is basically the size you are dealing with, I would mix up one bag of mortar, loose, spread it out and carefully set the unit on top. Check with a level at both ends and across the unit and then gently wiggle into the mortar. Don't try to press it all the way so it bottoms out on the concrete.
And in the future, if a big box employee asks what you're doing, pretend you don't speak English.
Mike Hawkins:smile:
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