QA

Question: How To Build Your Own Shower Pan On Concrete Floor

Do you need a shower pan 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 you have a walk in shower on a concrete floor?

Premanufactured panels and pans as walk-in showers can be installed directly over the top of the concrete without any concern.

How do you waterproof a concrete bathroom floor?

Steps 1Clean the floor. Before you start waterproofing it’s important that the floor is clean. 2Apply the primer. 3Silicone the gaps. 4Apply masking tape to the wall. 5Apply the waterproofing agent. 6Apply the waterproof membrane to joints. 7Waterproof the whole floor. 8Apply the last coat of waterproofing agent.

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.

Can I use quikrete for shower pan?

The best concrete mix for shower pans is made by Quikrete. They make two products, the first is called Floor Mud, the 2nd is their Sand/Topping mix. Both work great for building a shower pan. Just like other types of concrete mix, there are DIY options.

What type of concrete mix do you use for a shower pan?

The ideal mortar for a shower pan is a mix of standard cement mix with sand and Portland cement. This type of mortar creates a great water-resistant barrier that can support the weight of the shower unit.

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.

Do you have to waterproof a concrete bathroom floor before tiling?

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. Walls are to be water resistant and junctions to be waterproofed.

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.

How much is a Corian shower pan?

Bathtub Liners and Wall Surround Options Material Cost Tile $3 – $15** Corian $42 – $65 Engineered Quartz $50 – $100 Natural Stone Panels $40 – $200.

How do you waterproof a concrete floor?

Give your surface proper protection We suggest you use Coo-Var Damp Shield. This is a two-part epoxy resin coating designed to prevent moisture from rising and penetrating your concrete floor. Moisture can cause you serious issues in the future so this is an important step to waterproofing a basement floor.

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 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 is Thinset for shower floor?

Plan for a layer of thinset 3/16-inch to 1/8-inch thick beneath your tile. A 3/16-inch layer of thinset will be enough for tiles with a smooth back to bond the tile to the floor or backer board. For natural tiles with an uneven surface on the back, you may need to spread a 1/8-inch layer of thinset during installation.

How many bags of sand do I put in a shower pan?

I usually mix one bag sand/topping mix with a half bag of sand (25lbs) to make things easy and have had good luck with that. Be very careful with how much water you add to the deck mud as you mix it up. It’s referred to as dry-pack mortar for a reason. Do not add water like you are mixing concrete.

Can you use thinset for shower pan?

Mix thinset mortar with the drill and paddle. Add more thinset to one side to level the floor, if necessary. Check the floor to ensure it is level, using the carpenter’s level. Set the acrylic shower pan in place on top of the mortar.

What’s the best mortar mix for shower pan?

The best mortar for shower pans is a mixture of sand and Portland cement as it creates a water-resistant barrier that can support the weight of the shower unit and the users. You can create your own with Portland cement and fine sand (1:5) and 4 quarts water for 80 lb. of the mixture.

Can you use Sakrete sand for shower pan?

We recommend using Sakrete Sand Mix Topping & Bedding for shower pans. The Sand Mix is used with less water to achieve a “dry pack” consistency, which allows the product to be used at a greater thickness than 2” inches. There is not a recommended amount of water to be used for a dry pack.