Often asked: How To Make A Shower Pan On Concrete Slab?

Can I use concrete for 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).

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.

What type of mortar do you use for 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 I need mortar under shower pan?

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 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.

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.

Are shower tray riser kits any good?

Up to you, riser kits are fine though. Your method above would work ok, but the riser kit will be less cost, ten times quicker, and a hundred times quicker to get the shower tray level.

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.

Can you tile over a shower pan?

Shower floors, also called shower pans, are often tiled to create a stable standing surface for bare feet and to add decorative flair to the bathroom. You can put tiles over existing tiled shower pans as long as they are structurally intact, have no visible damage and do not leak.

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.

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.