What type of mortar for shower pan

Table of Contents

What mortar to usage for shower pan1. Quikrete Floor Mud2. Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix 3. Sakrete Sand Mix4. DIY shower head Pan Mortar BedShower pan mortar consistencyShower pan mixes: comparisonShower pan materialAcrylic TileFiberglassComposite materialsHow to download a mortared shower pan1. Framework the shower stall2. Cloak the reduced side that the drainpipe with silicone3. Coat the drain with cement and also PVC primer4. Cut and fit the steel lath and felt to the floor5. Mix and apply dried deck mud6. Measure and apply the waterproof membrane7. Mark and also cut the end the bolts approximately the drain8. Reduced the membrane and install the upper drainpipe plate9. Check and also fix leaks10. Install a strainer top top the drain11. Include a waterproof membrane12. Cut and also install the backerboard13. Use mortar and also a steel lath14. Put the floor tiles


You are watching: What type of mortar for shower pan

Your bathroom’s floor has actually a shower head pan i m sorry is waterproof and also collects water climate directs it come the drain. The shower pan needs to be set up correctly to support the weight of the users and keep the underlying layers from damage by the water. The ideal mortar mix because that the shower head pan determines how great the pan will be. If you do a mistake with this one, girlfriend risk ruining the totality shower floor. The ideal mortar because that shower pans is a mixture of sand and also Portland cement as it creates a water-resistant obstacle that deserve to support the load of the shower head unit and also the users. Girlfriend can produce your very own with Portland cement and also fine sand (1:5) and also 4 quarts water for 80 lb. The the mixture.



See more: An Atom With 3 Protons And 4 Neutrons,, Access Denied

What mortar to use for shower head pan

Mortar is desired for shower pans end other choices such as concrete and also cement provided that the bonds far better to other surfaces and also is an ext moldable. The finest mortar mix because that shower pans consists of sand and also Portland cement. This will develop a water-resistant obstacle which will assistance the weight of the shower head floor and its users. Types of Mortar Ingredients  Quikrete Floor Mud Portland cement, graded sand, various other components Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix Portland cement, commercial grade sand, various other ingredients Sakrete Sand Mix Portland cement, concrete sand DIY shower Pan Mortar Bed Portland cement, good sand There space three main species of mortar for shower pans together follows:

1. Quikrete Floor Mud

The Quikrete Floor dirt is a concrete mix manufactured by QUIKRETE which is ready for use in creating shower pans, slate, travertine and marble floor tiles. When mixed with water, it creates a smooth and water-resistant surface ar which is best for shower head pans. You don’t need to calculate any kind of of the ingredients through the Quikrete mortar mix for shower pans since they have been calculated for you. Just pour the mix into a container than add water (4 quarts for each 80 lb. Bag) before applying it come the shower head floor. The benefits of using Quikrete Floor Mud encompass the truth that you deserve to use it both indoors and outdoors, girlfriend don’t have to calculate the parts, the provides a solid result (5000 psi compressive strength once totally cured), and also is easy to form the wanted shape that the floor. The only downside is that it’s not conveniently available.How long should mud bed cure before tiling?A mud bed needs to cure for at the very least 28 days before tiling. This ensures the it’s waterproof and also has the compelled compressive stamin to maintain its shape and integrity once in use. How plenty of bags of mortar because that shower pan?It depends on the dimension of the shower head floor. As lengthy as the floor has in between 2 and 3 inch of thickness at the thickest places and at least 2 inch of thickness at the thinnest, it will be enough. 

2. Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix 

This sand topping mix for shower pans, additionally by Quikrete, is make from a mix of Portland cement, advertisement grade sands and also other components. Unequal Quikrete Floor mud whose ingredients are consistent, the lot of water essential for the Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix depends on the components used to form it. The manufacturer will constantly indicate the on the bags. 

3. Sakrete Sand Mix

Sakrete Sand Mix is made of Portland cement and also concrete sand and also is a popular alternate to the above options indigenous Quikrete. Besides the shower pan, it deserve to be supplied for walks, steps and leveling floors both indoors and also outdoors. 

4. DIY shower Pan Mortar Bed

You can make your own shower pan concrete mix making use of sand, cement and also water. Mix 1 component of Portland cement through 5 parts of well sand. Because that each 80 lbs. That this mix, include 4 quarts the water. Your own shower basic mortar might seem like a cheaper option however it’s generally not as good as the advertisement alternatives. Both Quikrete Floor Mud and Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix don’t cost much yet they’re simpler to work with and also provide much better results than DIY options. 

Shower pan mortar consistency

All the shower head floor mortar mixes over need to have actually the same consistency to obtain the best results. As soon as mixed, you should be able to kind a round with the mix in her palm. The ball should hold its shape however release part water as soon as squeezed. If the sphere collapses top top its own, it’s too wet and also you need to add more of the dry mix. If it retains its shape but doesn’t release water once squeezed or crumbles apart, it’s also dry and needs much more water to be added. 

Shower pan mixes: comparison

Quikrete Floor MudQuikrete Sand/Topping MixAffordable Slightly costlierA bit hard to findEasily availableAvailable in 80 lb. BagsAvailable in bags of 10, 40, 60 and 80 poundsEasy come useEasy to use

Shower pan material

Once friend lay the mortar bed for her shower, the shower pan you download on top have the right to be do from the adhering to materials:

Acrylic 

An acrylic shower pan is make from amendment plastic under pressure and heat to type a single piece that’s big enough come fit your bathroom floor. 

Tile

While tile is very attractive, it additionally requires a the majority of skill and also care come ensure it offers a waterproof seal because that the rest of the floor. It additionally requires maintenance on a continuous basis to keep its integrity. When installing tiles as the shower head pan, for sure the mortar bed is at the very least 2 inches thick on the external edges that the floor and it reduces in the direction of the shower drainpipe to enable water to circulation to the drain. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass shower pans are produced from polymer reins which have actually been strengthened v woven glass fibers. Back cheaper 보다 the alternatives, they’re more likely to obtain scratches and also stains. 

Composite materials

A combination of various materials have the right to be provided to develop a shower pan whose qualities will count on the products used. For example, acrylic have the right to be strengthened with fiberglass to make a better shower pan 보다 the individual materials.For the preformed shower head pans such together those do from fiberglass, acrylic and composite materials, the manufacturer demands to provide the thickness essential for the pan to execute correctly. 

How to install a mortared shower head pan

For this exercise, you need premixed mortar, drill, paddle, drill screw attachments, wood screws, bucket, pipeline wrench, level, silicone, waterproof membrane, knife, waterproofing membrane and also metal lath. Make certain the plumbing is already carried out and the shower has a shower head drain and also a drain trap prior to installing the shower head pan. Her shower needs a P-trap come keep sewer gases out of the house.Install the mortared shower pan together follows:

1. Structure the shower stall

Choose one area for the new shower stall making certain the drain has been cut out. If the subfloor is shaky, change it with a ¾-inch piece of exterior plywood. Use pressure-treated timber planks to produce the bottom plates for the shower head stall. The studs because that the walls must be centered on the bottom plates at intervals of 16 inches. Use 3-inch decking screws to fasten the bottom plates come the floor. Assistance the political parties of the membrane v 2×10 toenail blocking in between the studs. Use 3 pressure-treated planks of hardwood at 2×4 inches to kind the curb that the bathroom. You can skip this action if you space reinstalling the shower head pan in an old bathroom building a new shower pan in a bathroom. 

2. Coat the reduced side that the drain with silicone

Use silicone beads to coat the inside and outside that the bolt circle of the drainpipe in the floor. 

3. Coat the drain with cement and also PVC primer

Coat the within of the drain with cement and also a PVC primer then twist the drain onto the waste line in the floor. ~ the cement has actually dried up, insert the drain bolts right into the lower drain plate. Leave about ¾ customs of the drain bolts exposed. 

4. Cut and also fit the metal lath and also felt come the floor

Measure the dimension of the shower head floor then reduced a 15-pound piece of felt to fit this size. Place it on the floor then staple it in place. Using the same measurements, cut a metal lath then additionally stapple the on the floor. Make sure there space no bumps on the lath and also felt. The steel lath provides a foothold for the mortar mix. Next, reduced a circular hole roughly the drainpipe hole. The hole need to be at the very least an inch wider than the dimension of the hole to permit for the following steps. 

5. Mix and also apply dried deck mud

Follow the indict on the mortar mix to mix sufficient for the whole bathroom floor. Usage a latex additive come mix the dried deck mud rather of water. Plug the drainpipe hole through a item of towel then to water the mix onto the floor. Evenly spread it out through a wood float then permit it to dry overnight. 

6. Measure and also apply the waterproof membrane

Measure the waterproof membrane such that it’s 9 inches larger than the floor ~ above the sides and also 16 inches bigger on the curb that the bathroom floor. You deserve to make larger pieces the the waterproof membrane by solvent-welding piece together. The area around the drain should be reinforced through solvent-welding one more piece that the membrane top top the initial one (about 10 customs in diameter).Lay the membrane onto come the floor, smooth out any air bubbles in the then staple in onto the floor to secure it. Do the very same for the excess parts of the membrane i beg your pardon will rise up top top the wall surface and curb. Solvent-weld the pieces then clip them to the wall surface and curb. 

7. Mark and also cut the end the bolts about the drain

Feel the floor end the membrane then mark with one X over each bolt roughly the drainpipe hole. Usage a sharp knife to cut an X end the bolts to reveal them. Unscrew the bolts in readiness for installing the upper drainpipe plate. 

8. Reduced the membrane and install the upper drain plate

Feel the area between the bolts then reduced out the drain hole exactly about the hole and also no larger. Location the upper drainpipe plate right into the hole making sure it aligns with the screw holes around it. Screw the bolts come secure the drainpipe plate end the drainpipe hole. 

9. Check and fix leaks

Plug the drain hole then to fill the shower head pan with water 3 inches deep then wait because that 24 hours. If the water level is the same, her pan is watertight. If not, the would have leaked either v a loose drain hole, punctures in the membrane, or the sides. Tighten the drainpipe hole bolts then fix any punctures utilizing a job of the membrane and also glue. For the sides of the shower floor, solvent-weld the membrane come the wall surface then wait because that the solvent to dried up. Test for leaks again. 

10. Download a strainer on the drain

Wrap Teflon tape (plumber’s tape) roughly the object of the strainer 보다 screw it right into the drain hole’s flange. Sheathe it with masking ice cream to safeguard it from thinset and also mortar in the next steps. 

11. Include a waterproof membrane

Apply a waterproof membrane ~ above the wall surface of the restroom such that it covers at least 3 inches of the membrane indigenous the floor and parts of the wall. If the bathroom will be made of wood walls, make certain the whole of the wall is spanned in this waterproof membrane. For bathrooms through glass or concrete walls, a little layer that the waterproof membrane is enough. 

12. Cut and also install the backerboard

Cut backerboard come the dimension of the walls then ar it ~ above shims ½ inches in size then fasten the screws come the walls through backerboard screws. The screws must remain in ~ the optimal inch that the flooring membrane to reduce punctures i m sorry may cause leaks. Once the backerboard is screwed right into place, eliminate the shims then fill the locations at the bottom v caulk and also thinset. 

13. Apply mortar and also a metal lath

Mark on the walls through a pencil 3 inches indigenous the floor. Measure the street from the walls to the drainpipe hole then calculate the steep to ¼ inches for every horizontal foot (1ft). Apply a great of mortar followed by a steel lath and another layer of mortar while keeping the slope in the direction of the drain. 

14. Place the floor tiles

After the mortar is dry (overnight), scrape off any type of bumps and also imperfections top top the floor then evenly spread out a class of thinset top top it. Push the tiles into the thinset in line with the steep of the bathroom. Smaller tiles are much better at conforming to the slope of the toilet than larger ones. Let the tiles cure overnight then apply grout in-between the tiles and around the edges where the tiles meet the walls.