DIY Shower Base Installation
Building a custom shower base pan is a pretty simple process that most DIYers can pull off. If you follow the steps, you’ll get it right, but it’s not exactly the type of job you want to make a real mistake with.
1. Start With Framing: It probably seems pretty simple to frame a shower. And the truth is that it really can be. You want to make sure of one thing though. It’s much easier to get the tiles right when the walls and framing are square and plumb. This is why most tile setters would rather do the framing themselves than deal with a mess that someone else started.
2. Support Is Important: It’s vital that the floor support be solid. So you’ll need solid floor joists and a subfloor as well. One sheet of plywood can be insufficient for supporting shower bases, as it is likely to be too bouncy. This can easily result in a cracked tile or too. So you can’t skimp on a flimsy subfloor.
3. Solid Curbs: You’ll need to make sure to have a good shower curb. Box framing is insufficient. Don’t use open framing but go for stacked bricks or wood. This will give you a good, solid, long-lasting curb.
4. The Base Mortar Layer: You really need to have two mud layers when installing shower base pans. The first layer is sloped, and supports the shower liner membrane. The reason you need two layers is that the liner membrane needs to have a slope to it so that the water goes down the drain. Otherwise, you’ll just get a pool of water at the bottom of the shower. This will leave you with mildew, mold, and a mess that no one wants to have to clean up.
5. Lining: Some people who claim to know how to install a shower base aren’t aware the you need to have a waterproof layer. That’s because the floor of the shower itself isn’t waterproof. Many tiles and all grout allow the water to seep through. This is remedied by the built-in waterproof layer, which will catch the water and direct it to the drain.
6. Cover Walls Well: The waterproof liner needs to slope all the way up to the wall to function properly. But in addition, the wall covering also needs to be able to withstand water. For this reason, cement board is a popular choice. But this also needs to have a proper installation or it too will get moldy.
7. The Top Mortar Layer: Now comes the upper mortar layer which goes right over the waterproof liner. This layer should also be sloped and is practically identical to the bottom layer. You’ll use something called deck mud for this. It’s a pretty simply mix, but make sure not to use masonry mud, which contains lime.
These are the basics of Do-It-Yourself tile shower base installation. Now that you know what to do, you’re ready to get started!