[lelylady]

Hi guys. I'm another brave soul, sticking my neck out to learn how to install a shower in my basement. It's on a slab and already stubbed for shower and toilet. I've got it framed in, greenboard up on the upper walls, greenboard over a 2x4 stacked ledge to step over and I'm getting ready to put a shower pan liner in. But I know from lots of research online that I need some help here.
First, I need to know how to cut the shower drain open (capped)--with what? I can get the drain installed just fine once I get the thing open! Yes, it's a Ptrap under there... I checked with the builder.
Second, I'm very confused about the floor prep. I've seen videos that show wonderboard being put down, then concrete being poured on that to get the slope in before roofing felt, shower pan liner, mortar, mortar and tile. Is that necessary on a concrete floor? Or can I just build the slope with concrete (and does it have to be reinforced with chicken wire?) and go from there?
Third? I'm also getting mixed messages on the application of the shower pan liner? Is it glued to the floor surface, and if so with what?
I'm trying to do this just RIGHT from the beginning, because I don't plan on having any leaky problems down the road! Thanks for any advice you have.

[ballengerb1]

If I were you I'd skip trying to make a custom pan, tricky even for us. I install Swanstone fiberglass pans that sell for about $200 or less.Swanstone Shower Walls & Floors If you must stick with the idea of building from scratch here is what the pros have to say How to Build a Shower Pan

[lelylady]

If I were you I'd skip trying to make a custom pan, tricky even for us. I install Swanstone fiberglass pans that sell for about $200 or less.Swanstone Shower Walls & Floors If you must stick with the idea of building from scratch here is what the pros have to say How to Build a Shower Pan

Thanks. I insist on having this tiled shower. So I gather from the link that no wonderboard is necessary on the floor, just concrete. I'll use this guide then and thanks for the link!

And don't worry that I'm a lady. I've already finished all of this basement myself, including designing, framing, sheetrock, plumbing for kitchen and bath, electric, drop ceiling, painting and tiling. My work passes inspections every time. Sometimes I just come across something new and need a little help, especially when information out there is contradictory.

I'll probably be back with a few more questions later.

[ballengerb1]

Just reread your post. Greenboaed is acceptable for the bathroom walls but not for any part of the shwer stall. You need to use Wonderboard or Hardibacker board for any area that will ever get direct water contact. After installing a Swanstone pan I put up Hardibacker on the walls and then ceramic tile. Everything is tiled except the floor itself which is a solid fiberglass pan with its own built in drain that connects directly to your 2" PVC pipe coming out of the floor. Don't cut that existing 2" pipe yet until you have established your grade and height of the new drain which would require weep holes. As someone who would normally be hired to do the work for you I would install whatever you tell me to do. If ask what I personally prefer it would still be a Swanstone with ceramic tiled walls.