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    Synder222's Avatar
    Synder222 Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 15, 2007, 01:37 PM
    Building a shower base on an unsealed cement basement floor
    I am going to build a show base, 3' by 5' on a basement floor. The drain has already been placed in the middle of the 3by5 area.

    On two of the sides there will be 4" cement footers poured to be the foundation of the outer walls of the shower stahl. These walls will be glass block.

    The other two walls will be made of treated 2X6 wood which I will tile after the base is completed.

    I have available a thick, heavy rubber sheet, (two ply, black on one side and white on the other), that I was thinking of using as a water barrier. My idea is to use roofing cement to glue the rubber sheet to the shower base, staple it to the two wood sides (how high?), and just glue it up onto the concrete footers I am going to make. Afterwards, I would then use thin set (with wire mesh layer) to build up the base on a slant (1/4" for every 1"). Next, I would then add tile and grout to finish it off.

    Does this sound okay? Thanks
    wkw1054's Avatar
    wkw1054 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Mar 16, 2007, 05:51 AM
    Hello
    Has anyone responded to your question? I'm doing the same thing and am curious as to the recommendations.. . Thanks Much
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
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    #3

    Mar 16, 2007, 07:39 AM
    No, it does not sound OK. Use an approved material for the pan. Do not use mesh, it may puncture the pan. No punctures at least an inch above the curb. Use an approved shower drain that clamps to seal the pan.
    Synder222's Avatar
    Synder222 Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Mar 16, 2007, 09:26 AM
    Thanks doug,

    Since the drain is already in concrete, I will have to go with that one. In a self-help book, I read that using a rubber membrane as the pan would be okay as long as the membrane is sealed around the drain.

    Don't you have to use the wire mesh so the thin set used to build up the shower base has some strength. If the mesh is not used, wouldn't the shower base develop cracks?

    Thanks again
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
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    #5

    Mar 16, 2007, 09:06 PM
    If you don't use the proper drain you will have a problem. Don't use thinset to build a base, it is for applying tile on floor. I used sand mix or mortar mix. The base should not crack with a concrete floor and a pan.
    Synder222's Avatar
    Synder222 Posts: 18, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Mar 20, 2007, 05:22 PM
    I don't have the proper drain, but I think I can get around that by drilling holes in it around the bottom of it.

    I decided not to use a pan. I bought shower liner and will use that along with some base adhesive to install it.

    Using the thin set is directly from the book "Complete Bathrooms".
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
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    #7

    Mar 20, 2007, 07:32 PM
    [grinz] OK, go fer it.
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