Mortar Bed For Shower Pan
Mortar is the type of concrete product that works best for shower pan applications since it contains no gravel allowing it to work easily and dry with a gentle slope.
Mortar bed for shower pan. If you are using a preformed shower pan the manufacturer of the pan should provide instructions as to how thick the mortar bed needs to be. The key to a successful installation lies in the use of a chlorinated polyethylene cpe or pvc membrane tough but flexible plastics that form the pan of the enclosure and make the floor waterproof. Smaller tiles work best to conform to the slope. Whether it was to flatten a floor or to pitch a shower pan it seemed to be very complicated the way you had to mix the mortar forming the screeds pulling the mortar and ensuring a consistent pitch and perfectly flat substrate.
Mortar mixes for shower pans are blended with portland cement which is water resistant when it hardens and sand. When mixing the mortar use only enough water to obtain a dry pack consistency. Long story short i learned that with proper knowledge and patience it s a great technique to add to your arsenal and it is actually somewhat fun. Demonstration on how to mix mortar quick with bucket mortar mixer and install dry pack mortar for a shower pan shower link for the bucket mortar mixer http.
Over the membrane a mortar bed floor supports the tile. The slope directs water toward the shower drain. How to build a shower pan for tile hammer utility knife screed made of a straight 2x4 concrete trowel mag mixing container for the mortar drill driver to install the cement board staple gun wire cutters to cut the expanded metal lath silicone sealant for pvc liner to clamping drain connection. Some of them are installed with shims to help level the pan but most are installed in a bed of thinset mortar like what is used for ceramic tile and natural stone installations.
Allow the mortar bed to dry completely and cure before installing the shower base. This is usually 24 to 48 hours. It s important to get this detail right since it affects the long term durability of the shower. A mortared shower pan allows you to custom fit a shower enclosure.