Accessible bathroom with Curbless shower

[PC7060]

Haha, yes, that foam board was bought a few years ago and installed last year sometime. I’m finishing up a big kitchen project so finally have time to move onto the bathrooms.

Re the tiles, I found very straight and flat 4x16 white glazed ones by Dal-tile at Home Depot while I was picking up the thinset. I bought a few boxes while I was there and the bowed tiles (also white glazed) are going back.

I’ll be switching back to a 1/4 notch unless someone has a better suggestion.

[cx]

If your tiles are flat and your substrate is flat, PC, your 1/4" square notch should do fine.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Tiger Mountain Tile Inc]

The brand of backer board is a dead give away that you have planned this for some time.

Personally, I'd use the 3/8 notch on those tiles. Do your own testing but I don't think a 1/4 inch will put enough mortar on the walls unless you're planning on back-buttering the backs.

[ss3964spd]

Welcome back, PC!

I, too, don't think the 1/4" trowel isn't gonna do it, mostly because of the overlaps. I have a 3/8" slant notch trowel that you'd love, let me know if you want me to send it to ya.

[PC7060]

Hey James/Dan, I did a test and got great coverage with the 1/4” trowel. The Daltile product is nice to work with, I did a wrap layout going from left to right. Spacing came out well, no skinnies.



The front edge will be trimmed out using an aluminum profile from homers. I’ll install the tiles along with the trim after I install and water proof the foam curb.

[PC7060]

Re the USG foam board, yes I bought back when it was going end of life. It’s a shame they took such a great product off the market. What the new favorite for foam board?

[ss3964spd]

PC, for my last bathroom project I used Laticrete's Hydroban foam board. Installs similar to USG's, which I've also used, in that it doesn't require the large tab washers that some others require, just a smear of Laticrete's sealer/adhesive over the screw heads.

[PC7060]

Dan, sounds just like working with the USG panels. Thanks for the information.

[PC7060]

Any recomendation for trowel notch size for 2” square rectified porcelain on mesh backing? Trying to avoid the problem of excess thinset in grout line I’d previously experienced with smaller tiles.

Will also be using 2-1/2 hex tiles for floor over Ditra XL, seems likely I would use similar size trowel as 2” square but best to ask.

PS: Flood test under way for curbed shower.

[ss3964spd]

I used a 1/4" square notch trowel for my shower floor tile of approximately the same size, and 3/8" thick, also on mesh backing. Worked well, just place the sheets carefully so you don't need to slide them into final position too much.

[PC7060]

Thanks Dan, I’ll do that and try to avoid my normal level of thinset overage!

I just finish the water proofing of the curbless shower overlapped a few inches onto Ditra XL. I went with the XL to get the tile floor to align well with the adjacent hardwood. I’d have to think hard about before using XL again after experiencing the amount of thinset and work it takes to fill all those waffles!

[PC7060]

Just started and aborted the flood test for the walk in shower due to an unexpected condition. The unexpected condition was just how little water it takes to overtop a curbless shower. I started the water and stepped away to get coins to use for depth measure and returned just in time to see the water crest over the lip and then out into bathroom floor and into the adjoining room!
Next time it will be eyes on the water at all times. #idiot

When complete, the bathroom doorway will have a stone threshold which will help contain water in the bathroom, at least until it runs down into the HVAC vent.

Have a fan running and will restart tomorrow when things dry out. Good news is no water leaked through floor.

[cx]

Que bowdarkskull!

You're really s'posta fill that receptor from a source other than the shower, PC, to eliminate any plumbing leakage from pretending to be shower pan leaks.

I bet them floor vents make really good drains, though.

CX

[PC7060]

CX,
I’ve read that requirement several times and never paid much attention since my lines are already charged any leaks would have been found previously.
When I think about it from the inspectors view point it makes sense. Cutting off water to the entire zone will make sure the plumbing isn’t contributing in any way to the test either from dripping faucets masking a leaking shower or leaks elsewhere in the pipe causing a false positives. The AHA likes to nip any excuses in the bud.

Originally Posted by CX

I bet them floor vents make really good drains, though.

Good thing there’s a drain in that part of the basement!

[cx]

Yeah, PC, all my pressure water plumbing in new construction has usually been pressurized for a long time before time to flood test any shower pans. I commonly use a different source in those tests because I don't wanna open up the shower head supply at that juncture, anyway.

I emphasize that different source mostly for those trying to find leaks or leak testing when the water has been off for an extended period and there's been a lot of other work done in the vicinity of plumbing.

My opinion; worth price charged.