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Can I use regular 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).
What kind of cement do you use to make a shower pan?
The ideal mortar is a mix of standard cement mix with sand and Portland cement, which creates a great water-resistant barrier that can support the weight of the shower unit. Quikrete explains that it works well for shower pans, being a mix of Portland cement, graded sand and other proprietary ingredients.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 you have a walk in shower on a concrete floor?
Premanufactured panels and pans as walk-in showers can be installed directly over the top of the concrete without any concern.
Do I need to seal concrete floor before tiling?
As a general rule, we would say use a primer of some description to prepare your floor prior to tiling. For instance, an old concrete floor that was tiled previously will probably not need a primer, as long as the surface is clean and free from old adhesive and anything else that was stuck to the floor.
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.
How do you waterproof a concrete bathroom floor?
Steps 1Clean the floor. Before you start waterproofing it’s important that the floor is clean. 2Apply the primer. 3Silicone the gaps. 4Apply masking tape to the wall. 5Apply the waterproofing agent. 6Apply the waterproof membrane to joints. 7Waterproof the whole floor. 8Apply the last coat of waterproofing agent.
How do you make concrete topping mix?
Instead of using a 1 to 3 sand mix, use a mix consisting of 1 part cement, 1 1/2 parts sand and 2 parts 3/8-inch gravel or stone. After the old base has been roughened and cleaned, prepare a grout of 1 part cement and 1 part water.
What kind of concrete do you use for dry packing?
Quikrete Drypack Sand Topping Mix Is a Dry Pack Mortar that consists of a uniformly blended mixture of portland cement, commercial grade sands and other approved ingredients. Quikrete Dry Pack/Sand Topping Mix is available in: 3 to 1: Dry Pack Mortar – 60lb Bags.
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 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.
