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Do I need a shower pan on concrete floor?
The role of a shower pan is to create a sloped, waterproof seal between the shower and the flooring underneath since tile, grout and mortar are not entirely waterproof. Building a shower pan on a concrete slab floor is in many ways ideal. This is what creates the waterproof seal.
What do you put under shower pan for support?
Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.
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.
How do you waterproof a concrete shower floor?
The most common technique is to apply multiple coats of a penetrating sealer like a water-based polyurethane. Fautch uses epoxies or two-part polyurethanes, sometimes both — epoxy as primer with polyurethane on top.
Do I need to use pan liner on concrete floor?
Alan Wheeler New 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 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 I need wire mesh for 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 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.
Can you 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. It’s easy to spread, pack and form the mix into a shower pan of any design or slope.
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.
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.
How do you waterproof a concrete floor?
Step 1 – Remove any paints, sealers, tile adhesive, efflorescence, and oils from the concrete. Step 2 – Shop-vac the surface of the concrete removing loose or crumbling concrete, mortar, dust, and dirt. Step 3 – Seal the concrete walls and floor against moisture and water vapor with RadonSeal Concrete Sealer.
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.
Does shower pan liner go behind backer board?
The wallboard must be installed 1/8 inch above the shower pan. If the shower pan is not in place, the wallboard height must be guessed, which can lead to inaccuracies and an expansion gap that is too large or too small.
Do you glue down shower pan liner?
The standard sizes of shower liner can require a seam that needs to be glued to ensure a watertight connection. Not using the correct adhesive allows the lapped seam to separate and water to pass by the liner. An incorrect lap does not provide enough protection against water leaks. Showers require a sealed base.
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.
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.
