Shower pans are the trickiest and most crucial tile projects. If done right they will turn out
amazing, if done wrong they can be disastrous. We recommend hiring a professional tile
installer for shower pan tile installations. The shower pan in this example is a remodeling
project, but that won't change the steps if you're doing a new tile shower.
amazing, if done wrong they can be disastrous. We recommend hiring a professional tile
installer for shower pan tile installations. The shower pan in this example is a remodeling
project, but that won't change the steps if you're doing a new tile shower.
Shower Pans
Step 1. Clean the floor of all debris. Install upper wall 1/2" tile substrate with 1 1/2"
galvanized roofing nails. Do not install the lower 3 ft or more of wall tile substrate. Notice that
we installed a inset shelf into the wall tile substrate on this project. We also added a 2 x 4 to
the framing on the right side wall for support of the glass shower door hinges.
galvanized roofing nails. Do not install the lower 3 ft or more of wall tile substrate. Notice that
we installed a inset shelf into the wall tile substrate on this project. We also added a 2 x 4 to
the framing on the right side wall for support of the glass shower door hinges.
Step 2. Use 2 x 4s to outline the curb. One 2 x 4 on it's side and one 2 x 4 upright will
generally give you the desired mold height to make a 4 to 5 inch curb. You can screw the 2 x
4s into the wall floor stud with 3" screws below where the baseboard will cover.
generally give you the desired mold height to make a 4 to 5 inch curb. You can screw the 2 x
4s into the wall floor stud with 3" screws below where the baseboard will cover.
Step 3. Mix and pack in floor mix or "mud" at 1" to 1 1/2 " on the wall and curb sides down to
1/4" at the tile drain flange to provide a pre-slope. We use Tile Crete dry pack cement mortar
for this step. Notice that we taped the drain to prevent any mud from falling into the drain.
1/4" at the tile drain flange to provide a pre-slope. We use Tile Crete dry pack cement mortar
for this step. Notice that we taped the drain to prevent any mud from falling into the drain.
Step 4. Remove top part of drain by twisting the cap counterclockwise and unscrewing the
base with a flathead screwdriver. Then caulk around flange with 100% silicone in a wavy
motion to secure the bottom of the pan liner to the drain.
base with a flathead screwdriver. Then caulk around flange with 100% silicone in a wavy
motion to secure the bottom of the pan liner to the drain.
Step 5. Install the pan liner to at least 6" up all walls and the height of the curb. Nail the very
top of the liner to the bare wall studs with roofing nails. Then carefully slice small x's into the
top of the liner above the drain screws using a utility knife and press down liner until the
screws pop through. Once you have popped all 4 screws through carefully cut out the center
of the drain with your utility knife. Then twist the top of the drain and cap back on.
top of the liner to the bare wall studs with roofing nails. Then carefully slice small x's into the
top of the liner above the drain screws using a utility knife and press down liner until the
screws pop through. Once you have popped all 4 screws through carefully cut out the center
of the drain with your utility knife. Then twist the top of the drain and cap back on.
Step 6. Install cement board on the lower wall portions and over the liner running up the wall
with 1 1/2" galvanized roofing nails. Be sure not to nail lower then 6" on wall you do not
puncture the pan liner. Tape the seams of all the wall substrate by running fiberglass mesh
tape over the seam and spreading thinset mortar with a flat trowel or knife.
with 1 1/2" galvanized roofing nails. Be sure not to nail lower then 6" on wall you do not
puncture the pan liner. Tape the seams of all the wall substrate by running fiberglass mesh
tape over the seam and spreading thinset mortar with a flat trowel or knife.
Step 7. Complete the final slope of the pan to the drain by mixing and packing in mud. Use a
level to mark a line from 1/4" below the top of the drain to the wall. Create a 7/8" pitch on a
standard shower by adding 7/8" to the height of your mark and drawing a level line around the
wall. Then pack, smooth, and level your mud with a 2 x 4, flat metal float, and/or wooden float.
A good width for the curb is 3 1/2". Also remember to slightly slope your curb towards the
inside of the shower.
level to mark a line from 1/4" below the top of the drain to the wall. Create a 7/8" pitch on a
standard shower by adding 7/8" to the height of your mark and drawing a level line around the
wall. Then pack, smooth, and level your mud with a 2 x 4, flat metal float, and/or wooden float.
A good width for the curb is 3 1/2". Also remember to slightly slope your curb towards the
inside of the shower.
Step 8. Let dry for 24 hrs.
TM
touchdowntile.com
touchdowntile.com
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Shower Pans
2011. Touchdown Tile is a Minnesota tile company. All rights reserved. All pictures of installed tile are Touchdown Tile installations.