Hi Massplumber2008!
I need to have a customer shower enclosure constructed in the bathroom of my house in Natick, and I want it done with a vinyl membrane, not a copper pan. It seems like all of the contractors in this area want to install copper pans. Do you know how I can find one that is familiar with installing vinyl membranes?

Thanks,
Don

This should be of some help to you. How to Build a Shower Pan (http://hoagy.org/house/HowToBuildShowerPan.html)

I agree with what was said about testing your pan. Copper pans are peculiar to your area. It's an old method, but a strong plumber's lobby forces pans to be done that way. The main purpose... more money for the plumbers. Good for them I guess.

I disagree with portions of that step by step on how to build a shower pan. Mainly; there is absolutely no reason for the tarpaper under the membrane. It may not hurt though. The use of chicken wire, metal lath yes, chicken wire no. Never glue the membrane to the pre-slope. Why would you need to do that? Just put a bead of silicone on the lower half of the drain, the part that is under the membrane. But do not silicone on top of the membrane. You do not want anything to clog the weep holes.

If you want to see an accurate step by step on building a shower pan using the "old" method, go here; http://www.ontariotile.com/preslope.html

If on the other hand you would like to build a truly waterproof & watertight shower, I recommend using the Kerdi Membrane & Drain method, It's much better! Go here and click and find Kerdi, either over slab or on wooden subfloor. http://picasaweb.google.com/tile4youinc Also see the other Schluter Kerdi related items.

Jaz

Hey guys,
Thanks for the responses! I definitely feel like I could do this project myself if time wasn't an important concern since it is the only bathroom in my tenant's apartment.

Massplumber2008, my biggest problem is just finding a contractor who is willing to build the shower with the mud and waterproof membrane method instead of with a copper pan. I've been looking for bathroom renovation gc's so far, should I be looking for a tile guy specifically to do it instead? How do I find a contractor who is willing to do the work without a copper pan?

Thanks!
Don

A real tile person will know how to construct a mud pan. I have done it the Kerdi method and mud way.

Can you tell me first: Is this in the basement on slab, or on a first floor (above grade) on wood floor and what your deminsions are?

I can give you enough information to know that if you hire a tile guy, what questions to ask him. This is very important. You can't just pour it, and there are plenty out there who really do not know.

I did not read the steps above, but I know of a few very important ways to do this, and have plenty of hands on knoweldge to answer your questions. You want a tile guy with plenty of "mud" experience. Kerdi experience would be a plus as well.
The Kerdi system comes with a preformed tray to use if your deminsions are right. The membrane is wonderful, and water tight. The way to go. The preformed vinyl pans are not something I use, so I can't answer you on that.

We have never panned our showers with copper in my area. We panned our custom tile showers with sheet lead up through the 70's when we switched to plastic Compaseal. I agree with Cyberheater that if it fits your measures that Kerdi is the way to go. Good luck, Tom