QA

Question: How To Build A Shower Floor On Concrete

Do you need a shower liner on concrete floor?

It will need to be lined or it will wick into the slab and studding. The liner also makes the walls around the pan water-tight, that’s why the liner normally goes up at least 3″ above the pan behind the tile and backer material. Moisture gets behind the wall tile and is eventually caught by the liner.

Can concrete be used for shower floor?

Concrete is perfectly adequate, if not recommended, for use as the shower pan base for materials such as stone, tile or mosaic tile to be used as the finish surface (as long as there is a proper membrane between the concrete and any vulnerable surrounding material).

How do you waterproof a concrete shower floor?

The most common technique is to apply multiple coats of a penetrating sealer like a water-based polyurethane. Fautch uses epoxies or two-part polyurethanes, sometimes both — epoxy as primer with polyurethane on top.

How thick should a concrete shower pan be?

Thickness for Concrete Shower Pan – Base Layer The shower pan base mortar layer thickness should be approximately ½ to 1 inch thick. Since the shower floor already has a pre-slope, just apply a base mortar layer that has an even thickness throughout the shower floor area.

Do you have to waterproof a concrete bathroom floor?

Floors of concrete or compressed fibre cement sheet flooring are required to be water resistant. Timber floors including particleboard plywood and other materials require waterproofing of the whole floor.

What kind of cement do you use for a shower floor?

Quikrete Floor Mud is the best concrete mix for shower pans.

How thick is a concrete bathroom floor?

Concrete bathroom floors are most commonly found in homes with slab foundations or in basements, where the floor already consists of a 4- to 8-inch concrete slab that rests directly on the soil.

Can you put tile directly on concrete?

A: It’s perfectly acceptable to put tile directly on concrete — with a couple of caveats. First, it is important to determine if there is moisture coming up from the slab. Those products should help prevent any cracks in the slab from damaging the newly installed tile.

Do I need to waterproof concrete floor before tiling?

Cement is actually a very porous material and can easily absorb water. Therefore, any concrete that may come into regular contact with water, such as under tile or for a pool, will need to be waterproofed. If cement is not waterproofed, it can cause issues with the mortar used between the tiles.

Do you need to waterproof under a shower base?

DON’T ignore the importance of waterproofing when installing an acrylic shower base. The walls and the area around the top of the acrylic base along the wall are very important for proper waterproofing and it is essential that it be done correctly. In a bathroom, proper waterproofing is non-negotiable.

How do you waterproof a concrete floor?

Step 1 – Remove any paints, sealers, tile adhesive, efflorescence, and oils from the concrete. Step 2 – Shop-vac the surface of the concrete removing loose or crumbling concrete, mortar, dust, and dirt. Step 3 – Seal the concrete walls and floor against moisture and water vapor with RadonSeal Concrete Sealer.

What do you put under shower base?

Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.

How do I put a shower in my basement without breaking concrete?

The best way to install the shower in a basement bathroom without damaging your floors is to look into an upflush toilet system. While traditional basement showers require you to drill into shower base and concrete to add a drain, a Saniflo system sits on top of concrete floors.

How thin can a mortar shower pan be?

Thin-set mortars are typically about 3/16”, which makes it preferred when height is an issue (e.g. barrier free showers). When tile is bonded to the subfloor with a thin-set, movement in the subfloor can telegraph through the tile and cause it to crack.

How thick should shower floor tile be?

Measure and note the thickness of the tile to be installed on the shower floor. Typically, ceramic tiles are approximately 1/4 inch thick, and marble, sandstone or paver tiles may be up to 1/2 inch thick. Minor deviations in thickness are compensated for by using more or less thin-set mortar when installing the tiles.

Is it cheaper to tile or stained concrete?

Staining a concrete floor typically costs less than tiling. Installing ceramic or porcelain tile costs on average between $15 and $20 per square foot.Stained Concrete Floors Cost vs. Tile. Square Feet Stained Concrete Tile 1,000 $11,000 $17,500.

Can I use thinset for shower floor?

Thinset tile mortar provides a very strong bond and is resistant to moisture and mold growth. Because thinset is not affected by moisture, it is best for floor tile and any tile in wet areas, including shower floors, walls, and ceilings and tub surrounds.

Is thin set a mortar?

The word “thinset” is sometimes used interchangeably with “mortar,” because it’s a type of modified mortar made specifically for tile. Thinset is made of sand, water, and cement, and can also contain additives for increased bonding, water resistance, and flexibility.

How thick does a cement floor need to be?

Standard concrete floor slab thickness in residential construction is 4 inches. Five to six inches is recommended if the concrete will receive occasional heavy loads, such as motor homes or garbage trucks.

What is the mix ratio for concrete floor?

A concrete mix of 1 part cement : 2 parts sand : 4 parts coarse aggregate should be used for a concrete slab.

What do you put on concrete floor before tiling?

Level. Use floor leveling compound for large holes or flaws in your cement floor. The compound is a cement-based material that is thick enough to stay where it needs to be, but also flows well to fill in depressions to ensure your floor is flat.

How long does concrete need to cure before tiling?

Many people suggest a minimum cure of 28 days under normal conditions, although most thinset manufacturers say you may get away with 14 days using a premium latex modified thinset. There are risks though to tiling too soon.