Table of Contents
What type of mortar 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.
Can you make your own shower pan?
While you can buy a prefabricated shower pan, making your own lets you customize the size and shape to fit your needs. Once you frame out your shower pan, spread and smooth out mortar so it leads to your drain. In just a few days, you’ll have a shower pan that drains well and won’t leak!.
How thick should the 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.
What’s the difference between a shower base and a shower pan?
What Do They Do? 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 I have to put mortar under shower pan?
If the shower base installation floor is not level, there are two options. The second is to add mortar to the floor to even it out. If sliding shims under the base does not work, opt to install the mortar bed. This is usually a good idea when floors are badly sloped or the use of shims is simply not practical.
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 I 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.
Can you tile 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 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).
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 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 much slope should a shower pan have?
To efficiently drain, the recommended minimum slope for a shower floor is about 4 percent, or a 1/2 inch drop per every 12 inches from the shower walls to the drain. In traditional tile shower construction, this slope is established in the mortar pre-pan.
How much concrete do I need for a shower pan?
Mix 1 part of Portland cement with 5 parts of fine sand. For every 80 lbs. of this mix, add 4 quarts of water. Your own shower base mortar might seem like a cheaper option but it’s usually not as good as the commercial alternatives.
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.
What goes first shower pan or walls?
Whether you choose to install tile or the panel walls, drywall always goes on top of the shower pan, after the pan is set into the floor. Both tile and shower walls perform the same function, they just do so with different types of materials.
How do you build a subfloor in a shower pan?
The subfloor needs to be a minimum of two layers of 3/4-inch exterior grade plywood before you can move to actually putting down the concrete layer of deck mud that provides the slope and the base for the shower pan tile.
How do you put mortar under a shower base?
Set some thin plastic down on the subfloor before laying the bed of mortar. Mix a bag of mortar, and spread it over the area where the shower pan will sit. The mortar should be about 1 inch thick. Stay away from the edges by a few inches to make cleanup easier.
Can I use quikrete sand topping mix for shower pan?
QUIKRETE Sand/Topping Mix is a mixture of Portland cement, commercial grade sands and other ingredients. It’s a great concrete mix for shower pans that comes in a lot more sizes. You can buy 10 lb, 40 lb, 60 lb, and 80 lb bags. When done right, the shower floor will be very strong and smooth.
