I have a few questions concerning the installation of the drain for a tile shower. The old tub sat over a 1ft by 1ft hole in the slab, and I'm not sure about how the plumbing should be handled. Do I plumb it up and fill the hole with concrete? Where should the lip of the shower drain be set in regards to the existing slab? Should the slope to the drain be made before the liner goes down? How do I keep the mortar out of the weep holes? I understand these are a lot of questions but I am determined to do it myself. If someone has pictures or a link to this information it would be greatly appreciated.

"The old tub sat over a 1ft by 1ft hole in the slab, and I'm not sure about how the plumbing should be handled. Do I plumb it up and fill the hole with concrete?"
Yes, the tub dap-out must be filled before the shower pan is formed.

"Where should the lip of the shower drain be set in regards to the existing slab? "
On a custom tile shower the drain can set anyplace just as long as the shower floor slopes to it.

"Should the slope to the drain be made before the liner goes down?"
No. The shower pan and flange type shower drain will install first.

"How do I keep the mortar out of the weep holes?"
Very carefully! You will have to ask a tile man that question. Our work's done when we form the pan, set the drain and install the shower valve.

"If someone has pictures or a link to this information it would be greatly appreciated."
Click on; Mortar Bed Shower Floor for Tile Showers (http://johnbridge.com/mortar_bed_shower_floor.htm) for pictures and instructions.
Good luck on your project, Tom

"The old tub sat over a 1ft by 1ft hole in the slab, and I'm not sure about how the plumbing should be handled. Do I plumb it up and fill the hole with concrete?"
Yes, the tub dap-out must be filled before the shower pan is formed.

"Where should the lip of the shower drain be set in regards to the existing slab? "
On a custom tile shower the drain can set anyplace just as long as the shower floor slopes to it.

"Should the slope to the drain be made before the liner goes down?"
No. The shower pan and flange type shower drain will install first.

"How do I keep the mortar out of the weep holes?"
Very carefully! You will have to ask a tile man that question. Our work's done when we form the pan, set the drain and install the shower valve.

"If someone has pictures or a link to this information it would be greatly appreciated."
Click on; Mortar Bed Shower Floor for Tile Showers (http://johnbridge.com/mortar_bed_shower_floor.htm) for pictures and instructions.
Good luck on your project, Tom



Tom,

Thank you for your quick response. I have a few more questions.

1. Do I need to cover the PVC with anything before filling the hole with concrete?

2. Does the liner lay directly on the concrete slab? If so with no slope towards the drain will the water still drain properly?

3. How high above or below the concrete slab does the flange type drain sit, or how exactly is it supposed to sit in the concrete?

Thank you again for your help.

1. Do I need to cover the PVC with anything before filling the hole with concrete?
No.
2. Does the liner lay directly on the concrete slab? If so with no slope towards the drain will the water still drain properly?
The pan will lay directly on the floor. The mortar and tile will be sloped to the drain.
3. How high above or below the concrete slab does the flange type drain sit, or how exactly is it supposed to sit in the concrete?
The drain's adjustable. How high it will set depends upon how much slope you wish you wish to have in your shower floor. Be certain that the weep holes in the flange type drain are clear and not filled with mortar. Just follow the directions on the link I gave you and you'll be fine. Good luck, Tom