Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
DIY Custom Shower Pan on concrete slab?
Hi, were adding a custom shower in our master bath, and have some very good books and resources illustrating the best method for doing this...However, they all reference building on sub floor, not slab. Our condition is an existing slab, we've already relocated and prepped all plumbing, and are preparing to fill the trench and begin the pre-pan.
My question - all the books reference putting building paper above the wood sub floor, then stapling metal lath to prep for the mortar pre-pan. We're slab on grade, do we need to have building paper? is this a moisture barrier only necessary for not getting the wood sub-floor saturated with water while creating the pre-pan, or is there something I'm missing in the process? Appreciate any experienced advice!
4 Answers
- Jim SLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
That's a great question and I have had a similar job done in the past. Go to one of the big box hardware stores or a plumbing supply company and get a rubber or vinyl membrane made for this purpose. You lay the membrane over the floor of the shower area and carefully fold at the corners. Nail it to the wall studs above any possible water line. Now put your first layer of mud on top of the membrane and let it dry. Then you can tile over the mud. If you do this properly the shower will not be able to leak at the bottom. Be sure to use backer board on all the walls and make sure the membrane is underneath the backer board. Here's a link to articles that demonstrate this method. http://web.diynet.com/diy/web/searchResults?search...
- Jerry MLv 41 decade ago
I assume you will be building the pan out of ceramic tile. If that's the case, I would be sure the perimeter of the pan is elevated appoximately 1/4 inch higher than the drain so you don't end up with standing water after a shower. I've built several shower pans from scratch but they were all built on wood subfloors by using concrete backing board. I didn't use any paper under the backing because I sealed the backing with a waterproof mesh/sealer and tiled over that. It sounds like a fun project, wish I was there. Remodel contractor since 1960.
