Newb Trying to Reno a Shower

[vandalay1125]

I'm a DIY'r but never done a shower. Watch lots of videos to get "Youtube Smart", but few cover our typical homes here in humid FL. I've found out in the course of this project that the local building codes are pretty loose when it comes to shower waterproofing.

The house is "slab on grade" with a shower pan that was recessed into the slab about 6 in. In that case, code here allows basically no waterproofing. There was the concrete slab then the mortar bed then thinset and tile. I've ripped all this out and about to re-do it but want to do better than code.

So, I'm thinking Red Guard on the concrete, new mortar, then Redguard that and then tile. This a reasonable approach?

One more part of confusion... see pic for the current drain. I don't think there's any "weep holes" which seems to be in every reno video I watch. If there aren't and I Red Guard the whole thing, am I setting myself up for a problem? Are there no weep holes because there was no waterproofing and I guess they just count on the absorbed water passing through the slab to soil underneath?

[Lazarus]

Well... weep hole are only functional when there is a preslope, a rubber liner, another slope and then tile. Methinks you need to rethink this. Either do it properly that way OR use one mudbed with a bonding flange and a surface applied waterproofing, like the Schluter system. Go to Schluter.com and peruse the shower installs for more info.

[vandalay1125]

Yeah, I looked at Schluter, but it doesn't look like any of their drains are threaded and this size. So, to go Schluter drain, wouldn't I have to jackhammer out the entire old drain encased in concrete and replace it?

[cx]

Welcome, Joel.

You need to take out that drain and install one appropriate to the waterproofing method you choose for your shower receptor regardless which method you elect to use.

Do you intend keep the step-down feature of the current design?

My opinion; worth price charged.

[vandalay1125]

I WAS intending to keep the step-down. But, if not keeping it makes this easier, I'm open to ideas.

[cx]

The step down is fine if you favor that design, Joel. Was mostly a standard feature in the master bath for my new construction showers back when I was building. Customers seem to like the concept just fine with their doorless shower.

But with that concept you really need to consider the direct bonded waterproofing membrane for your waterproofing. It is possible to do the traditional receptor, but waterproofing at the doorway is less than perfect and somewhat more difficult, 'specially if you're not doing mud walls. The advent of the membranes made it a whole lot easier to do correctly.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[gcc]

Hey Joel,

I live in the land of loose codes and no waterproofing known as FL as well. Just my two cents as I re-did my step down shower a few years back - you’ll sleep better at night going with a surface bonded membrane like CX suggests. I did not and while I haven’t had any issues, I am acutely aware that the step could become an issue and, at the least, is the weak point in an otherwise protected shower. I did the best I could doing it the traditional method with pre-slope, liner, and final mud bed, but sometimes wish I did it differently for peace of mind.

For what it’s worth, I am no expert but you are going to have to bust out that drain anyway. It’s not all that difficult to do. This place is a great help. Tons of good people willing to help us homeowners down here with sketchily built houses and scotch-taped together load bearing walls improve our bathrooms!

Good luck,
Greg


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[vandalay1125]

I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of any water damage when I tore it apart. It's been in use for 18 years. No rot or mold. The only issue was when I removed the tile at the top of the step, the edge of the step crumbled. See pic. Other than that, it's in surprisingly good shape.