Hello, I have an issue that I'm not sure how to deal with. I did the preslope yesterday for my shower pan. Today I started vacuuming up any loose particles and I guess because the bed was so thin near the drain some of the material came up surrounding the drain and showing the lathe underneath. I’ve included pics of it. Am I in trouble here? Do I need to start over before putting my liner down? Should/can I fill those areas with something first?

Appreciate the help.

DIYER...

Fill in the holes and then lay down the tar paper as we discussed earlier. Then lay your membrane in place. It is the membrane that is critical, not the pre-pitched mortar... ;)

Looking real good there! Don't forget to install small gravel rocks around the drain (after membrane in place) so weep holes will not fill with mortar!

MARK

Mark, thanks... I'm planning on filling the holes in with thinset mortar (someone suggested this to me). BUT I need more tar paper down under the membrane again? I've never heard of that honestly in all the reading I've been doing. Right now I have subfloor (plywood), tar paper, metal lathe, preslope (dry pack mix)... You're saying more tar paper, membrane, more mud, etc. in that order?

I'm saying now you need more tar paper so the new membrane will not break down by rubbing up against the presloped mortar you have there... that make sense? If you lay the membrane down directly over the presloped mortar it will develop abrasions from rubbing against the mortar and break down in half the time it would (or sooner) without the tar paper!

So, tar paper, then membrane, then fill with mortar or thick floor mud... ;)

I definitely see your point only I'm all out of tar paper :eek: The membrane I'm using is 40 mil thick. You still think tar paper is absolutely necessary? Is there something else I could use that I might have around the house like plastic contractor bags (3 mil thick?). Also am I just laying this tar paper in w/o fastening? Sorry but one question always leads to another I guess...

Plastic bags will probably be OK here... ;) Use duct tape to hold in place while working the membrane!

Tar paper is still best!

Sounds like a plan. Thx!