So I bought a old home with a finished but not furnished basement. Unfortunately the shower was not installed. So I asked around and so far I have the hole leading to the sewers all done and the drain installed. Now I need to know if I have the rest correct: I'm going to fill the space between the floor and the shower drain with cement (and of course tilt it for the water) then place tiles on top and that would make the floor. I heard from my friends that you need to place cement then a thick sheet of rubber or pvc sheet and then another layer of cement. What's your idea?

Hello, yes you need to place a rubber membrane beneath the mortar bed, and it should go up the side walls about a foot and over the front edge of the shower, the center should fit into an f.h.a. shower drain. Have a tile contractor take a look at it so an expert can give a complete understanding of the installation proses. Good luck ----zeke---

Hi Kcrasnosmert...

Your friend was right...

Float about 1" of cement on floor and pitch from walls to drain...let that dry. Then install a layer of roofing paper over that to protect the liner from abrasions and install a vinyl membrane and vinyl membrane shower drain. Then you will want to pour a thick floor and pitch that 1/4" pitch per foot to the drain...

Check out this link for more information:

How to Build a Shower Pan

Also, check out this link... it is a post that kind of goes step by step through this... pay attention to post #18 specifically and others that follow (some tricks that will help here).

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbi...an-250293.html

You are also looking for a specific flanged type shower strainer... it bolts through the membrane... see picture below. You will need the membrane cement that is sold with liners to install the drain to the liner (and to cement/patch seams).

Lastly, this is a bit involved so be sure you are up to the task.. if not sure then please check out the pre-fabricated shower floors at Swanstone Products

Come back and let us know if you have any questions...

MARK