QA

Quick Answer: How To Install A Shower Pan On Concrete Floor

Remove enough concrete to allow space for the waste pipe. Place pipe and drainage tool into the hole. Test the pan to make sure it fits properly. Apply mortar to the concrete base. Place the shower tray over the mortar, pressing firmly. Screw the drain into place. Let the mortar dry for 24 hours.

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 a shower pan?

Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.

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.

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 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.

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

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 you need a liner for a shower pan?

And yes, it is safe to have it. In fact, the absence of a liner can be riskier than having a one under the tiles. Installing a shower pan liner is a must and it can be the difference between an enriching experience every day to a leaky bathroom.

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.

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.

Can you have a cement 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).

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.

Do I need to waterproof concrete floor before tiling?

Cement is actually a very porous material and can easily absorb water. Therefore, any concrete that may come into regular contact with water, such as under tile or for a pool, will need to be waterproofed. If cement is not waterproofed, it can cause issues with the mortar used between the tiles.

How do I put a shower in my basement without breaking concrete?

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

Does a shower need a shower pan?

If you plan to install a tile floor in your shower, a shower pan is crucial because it provides a waterproof surface to lay the tile on. Even if you don’t plan to use tile, a shower pan is important for protecting your floor and subfloor from any leaks that may get through.

Can you put tile over a shower pan?

In a typical installation, the shower pan is set into a bed of mortar to level it and to secure it to the subfloor. You cannot tile over standard polymer or fiberglass shower pans because they flex too much and will eventually crack the tile grout and possibly even the tile itself.

What type of shower base is best?

The Best Materials for a Shower Base Acrylic shower bases are a popular choice. Acrylic is an extremely durable material that holds up well under pressure from weight and running water. Fiberglass shower bases are another common choice. Tiles offer a beautiful finish to your shower base.

How thick does a concrete shower pan need to 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.

Does Thinset stick to shower pan liner?

No. Thinset or tile glue (adhesive) should never be applied directly to the shower pan liner.

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.