I am trying to replace what was an all plastic shower stall located in my basement with a more substantial structure. All of the plumbing is in place but as part of my project I have studded out one wall so that I could re-route the hot and cold water lines inside the new wall. Because of this the drain location will not fit with any "manufactured" shower bases that I've looked at at my local home centers. So I am considering forming and pouring my own custom shower floor with concrete and then either covering the floor with tile or perhaps one of those epoxy-paint combinations that are so popular now. The actual size of my new shower stall has not been exactly determined yet and can be adjusted as needed. I would like to build the walls out of metal studs and cover them with cement board and tile. My question is, how do I pour the new floor and ensure that I have the correct slope to the floor so the water will drain correctly?

Thank you,

onabudget

I had kind of hoped Labman would pick up on this. What you're proposing sounds like a simple floor drain and you have a choice of drains. You can install a regular floor drain with its own trap or go with a shower drain with a separate trap. I can only advise on a concrete floor installation as tile setting's a different trade. Depending on the size of the enclosure about 1/2"to 3/4" slope to the foot is normal. My walk in shower's on the cement slab and is 2' X 4' with 1 1/2" fall from the floor line to the top of the drain.
the walls sound fine just place the shower head 76" offd the floor and aim it away from the opening. Good luck and let me know how you make out. Tom

I would work from the existing drain or a new cover. Decide how you are going to finish the floor. You need some texture in the surface. If you use the epoxy, either buy material with grit in it, or add grit. The one other alternative would be the adhesive stuff meant for in bathtubs. By tile, you mean ceramic tile?

Allowing for the thickness of the finish, come out to where the wall is going to be and form up concrete with the top of the form about an inch above the drain. Pour the concrete and finish it sloping down leaving enough room for the finish. As long as it is well supported by grout, the ceramic tile can be made to fit the curved concrete base. If you need help with ceramic tile, you might try a different area. I lack experience with it.