Hello

i plan on building a tile shower on an concrete slab with drain already in place (there was an existing show in place) which sticks up about an inch from the slab (possibly there is a piece I can remove to bring the drain back down below slab level). The walls will be 2x4 stud and I'm planning on a wood curb consisting of 3 2x4.

I'm looking for basic steps on how to do this. I've found a number of how-to's online but none seem to refer specifically to building on the slab. I can understand that on a wood joist floor perhaps in the upper floor of a house, waterproofing via membrane is key but i'm not clear on the importance of that for an on slab tub.

So I have these questions

- is a concrete curb better than wood in this case?
- what type of drain set up would I use?
- do I need to pour a thin layer of concrete to slope the floor towards the drain?
- do I need duroc or other concrete all the way up or just one course (i.e. - 32" or whatever widths they come in)?
- would I use the waterproof wall board for the rest of the shower (i.e. - green drywall)?

Thanks
--Duncan

massplumber2008

Duncan...

Ballenger said it better than I could have!! "Building a shower pan from scratch is not an easy task for 1st time DIYer at building a pan. The chances of you having a leak the first time are way greater than a prefab."

I agree 100%

Good luck...let us know what you decide...Mark

ballengerb1

Just so we are clear Duncan, all 3 of us are talking about a prefab pan or floor. We are not suggesting the full unit which includes the walls. For the walls I'd do as amricca suggests and screw in cement board or , my preference, 1/2" Hardibacker and then install ceramic on the backer.