Often asked: How To Make A Shower Base On A Concrete Floor?

Do you need a shower pan liner on concrete floor?

JRC3 Member. 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.

Can you use concrete for a shower pan?

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).

What do you put under shower base?

Put some cardboard in the shower base and walk around on it to see how stable the shower base is. Most installers recommend putting a bed of mortar down for the shower base to sit on. Check the manufacturer’s installation instructions and see what they recommend in case the use of mortar is discouraged.

What kind of concrete do you use for a shower pan?

QUIKRETE® Floor Mud (No. 1548-81) is a Portland cement based underlayment mortar designed for leveling travertine, slate and marble floor tile, and for shower pan applications.

Do you need to waterproof under a shower base?

All internal and external corners and horizontal joints are to be waterproofed within the shower area. Plasterboard joints (outside shower) that extend inside shower areas must be waterproof. Unenclosed shower areas are to be waterproofed to 1500mm from the shower. Tap-penetrations are to be sealed.

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.

Is wire mesh necessary in shower pan?

Before installing the final layer of mortar on the shower pan you will need to install expanded wire mesh on the shower curb, over the PVC pan liner. The wire mesh will cover the entire curb from the inside of the shower pan at the top of the mortar floor over the top of the curb and down to the bathroom floor.

How can I install a basement shower without breaking concrete?

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

What is the difference between a shower pan and a shower base?

While a shower pan and a shower base both channel water into the drain, there’s one key difference: “Shower pan” is the actual shower floor that you step on, whereas “shower base” refers to the structure underneath the shower itself.

Do you put flooring under shower?

A floating floor needs to float, do not put it under the shower pan. You will need to leave an expansion gap at the pan per manufacturer recommendations on whatever floor you choose. Therefore, you need not be perfect with the install, but will cover the edge with molding.

How thick does a concrete shower pan need to be?

As a general rule, a shower curb foundation is 3 to 4 inches thick and 4 to 6 inches tall, with finish material adding to these dimensions.

What is the best material for a shower base?

4 of the Best Shower Base Flooring Options

1. Tile Shower Bases. You may decide that you want to tile the floor of your shower to match the walls or bathroom floor tile.
2. Molded Stone Shower Bases. Molded stone shower pans can offer you another high-end and elegant solution.
3. Acrylic Shower Pans.
4. Fiberglass Shower Pans.

How much mortar do I need for a shower base?

To set the base, mix up about half a 60-lb. bag of mortar with water to a creamy consistency. Avoid concrete mix; stones in the mix will hold the base away from the floor. Spread the mortar over the floor under the base, about 1 in. or so thick.