QA

Question: How To Float Shower Walls

What does floating a shower wall mean?

Floating allows you to level the framing as necessary before you install the tile.

How thick is a floated shower wall?

Most construction of bathroom walls around the shower or tub area is based on 2×4 studs so total wall thickness may well reach 5 inch thick total, at least the walls that contain waste and water supply pipes.

Can you use thinset to float a wall?

Fill in the unbowed areas of the wall to bring them in line with the bow by floating extra thinset, made extra sticky with the addition of an additive such as latex. Scratch the thinset so that it provides a good bond, feathering the edges closest to the bow so that the wall becomes perfectly straight and smooth.

How much does it cost to float a shower?

The price to tile a shower averages about $20 to $30 per square foot, but depending on the selected material, the price can vary widely. The standard shower is 90 – 100 square feet, and you will need an additional 10 – 15 square feet for the floor if you don’t use a shower pan.

Can you float tile with thinset?

Using thin set to fill low areas by applying it a little thicker (most times it is much thicker) as the tile is being installed, is not a good idea. In fact, most manufacturers indicate in their product literature NOT to use thin set mortar to level or flatten the floor or wall.

How thick can you float Thinset?

Most thin-set mortars have a maximum thickness of 1/4″ (6 mm) and medium-bed mortars have a maximum of 1/2″ (12 mm).

How thick should thinset be for shower walls?

In most installations, a layer of thinset 3/16 to 1/8-inch thick is sufficient. Too much thinset creates a mess and inhibits proper bonding between the tile and the substrate. For most tiles, apply a layer of thinset 3/16–1/8-inch thick.

How thick should concrete shower base 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.

Is thin set a mortar?

Thinset is an adhesive cement used to secure floor and wall tiles to concrete surfaces. The word “thinset” is sometimes used interchangeably with “mortar,” because it’s a type of modified mortar made specifically for tile.

How thick can Thinset be applied on wall?

The terms thinset cement, thinset mortar, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are synonymous. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer – typically not greater than 3/16th thick.

Can you use self leveler on walls?

Yes it can. If you try to drive a nail or screw into it, the self leveler will probably chip out. If you are going to fix the wall to the floor, I would use a hammer drill to drill the holes through the baseplate into the floor to limit chipping. Use plastic under the wall too protect it from moisture.

Do plumbers install shower pans?

Plumbers generally install the shower liner, new drain trap and strainer. In the old days, when lead and copper were used, you wouldn’t expect the tile person to install the pan Shower liners here are part of the rough plumbing inspection, I would not want the tile person to be responsible for my work.

How much does quartz shower walls cost?

Quartz Shower Walls: Cost Quartz shower walls cost between $50 and $100 per square foot when it comes to materials. On average, people spend $5,400 in total to fit their standard showers with high-quality quartz walls.

How hard is it to tile a shower wall?

Tiling a shower by yourself can be especially hard. If you’re able to keep the shower pan in place, it will remain an overall straight-forward project for the most part. You can build up a shower pan by scratch using tile and mortar. Or, you could even use a ready-made fibreglass pan.

Can thinset be used as a leveling compound?

You can use thinset to install tile over an uneven cement floor and leave the floor perfectly level. You can also use thinset mortar to level out an uneven cement floor or fill small holes in the floor without installing tile.

What happens if thinset is too thick?

A thick layer of thinset, like most adhesives, is apt to flex and crack leading to premature bonding failure. In addition to producing an uneven surface, applying too much thinset can create costly cleanup headaches and add unnecessary time to a project.

How thick should a mortar shower pan be?

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 self leveler over thinset?

Self-Leveling Compound If you only have a small amount of old thinset that you need to tile over, use a self-leveling floor compound to smooth out the entire floor. Self-leveling compounds start out liquid but harden to a smooth, flat surface ideal for tiling.

Can I use thinset to level 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.