OK here is my problem. I want to switch my bath tub to an all-tile shower and wonder how to do it. So far the tile were set onto a cement board that was itself put on top of the drywall. I am wondering if this is a common thing. From all my research, it looks like tile should be on the cement board, but there is no use for extra drywall behind it. It actually makes things tougher because you need some sort of corner tile instead of normal bullnose since the cement board and the rest of the wall are not at the same level.My second question is: is there an order to do all this i.e. should I make the shower pan (sort of rubber sheet filled with cement), before or after I install the cement board on the wall. Is there a specific angle used for the drain?Thanks in advance for all your tips.
Do I need a shower pan? Do I need a specialized shower pan? $600 up just for the tile redi pan. No going around this if I want shower tile floors?
If you have never done a shower before, I suggest purchasing a shower pan instead of making one yourself. Take out everything around your tub to the studs, then install the plumbing and pan, cement board (no need to have drywall behind it), tile and grout. You will see the drain attached to your tub, will probably need to move it in order to line up for the shower pan. It is not an easy job, depending on how the pipes run and if floor joists will create a problem in moving the drain. You may want to move the supply lines as well to have a typical shower height faucet.
Here okorder / if you want a tiled floor. I would also have the plumber install a new faucet with a scald protect on it. 3) Install wonder board. Some areas require a water proofing membrane over the seams and screw heads. Its a paint and I cannot remember the name of it. 4) Tile the wall and base. When dry, grout and then seal the grout when dry.
Tile looks great but is a real problem to keep mildew free. We lived in Houston for 20 years and had a tiled shower, it was a constant battle. We now have a cultured marble shower. Mildew is not a problem. I would not have any other type of shower. It is always clean and just a little spray with one of those new spray products and there is no soap scum to deal with either. It is less likely to have leak problems as well. If you are going to live in the house for a while, go with the cultured marble.
take off all tile and wallboard down to the studs.move all plumbing,use a pvc liner which bolts to the drain flange.when nailing the liner to the studs run the liner about a foot up the wall.no fastners 9in or lower or it will leak.put up your concrete board,remember no fastners 9in or lower concrete will hold the bottom.form a curb using 2x6s run the liner in the middle of the form. use a 2x6 braced against the back wall inside the shower to hold the form inside the shower. fill with concrete on both sides.i use quickcrete sand topping mix.let the curb dry for 24 hrs.pull the form.now pour concrete inside the curb. your pan should have a pitch of 1/4 in.for every foot from the drain.let dry again for 24 hrs.do not use wall mastic as adhesive for the tile, use mortar.i also use hydroguard 1 from dal-tile in the corners and seams.you can brush it on.now your ready to tile.if you dont have any bullnose ,you can use a metal trim. i use dal-tile #a100.get a mosiac tile for the floor so it will wrap the pitch of the floor.use a sanded grout on the floor.you can butt the tile joints on the wall but if you do, use a nonsanded grout.silicone all corners.putting in a custom shower is one of the hardest thing you can do in your home,
