New 4x7 walkin shower, need advice

[13floornetwork]

I'm a new member as of today, my name is Alan and I have a black hole monster project that I'm tired of throwing money in. So I'm going to do some of the work myself.

I have a 4x7 shower on a existing flat slab. It has 3 full walls and a 4'w x 4't wall with a 3' walk-in opening.The picture shows hardieboard but that is coming down and I'm going to install Kerdi-Board. I have the Kerdi-Drain sitting in place but not installed permanently yet. The floor is flat from the drain and out to the bathroom area. All same elevation. The carpenters level in the photo shows that I need a 1 1/2" elevation at the walk-in opening (2x4 laying flat).

I do not want to build a curb. So my question is this... I need to slope back down into the bathroom area. What is the best way to make the 1 1/2" transition back into the bathroom? Would it look or work OK to just round off to the bathroom floor, or 45 down to the floor or do a gradual slope?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[cx]

Welcome, Alen.

You have some "issues" to deal with there.

I don't know how high you've set your drain, but I find the absolute minimum I want above a concrete floor is 3/4s of an inch to be able to pack my deck mud sufficiently under it. Add to that the minimum rise of one inch you need for your properly sloped floor and you'll need at least 1 3/4" at the perimeter.

Your local plumbing code is going to require that your shower entry be at least two inches higher than your shower drain. You'll not be able to do that with your current plan. If you can get a variance from your local code compliance jurisdiction by claiming to be building an ADA Accessible shower, you might be fine. Or your local compliance office might be perfectly happy with what you propose just because you're a nice fella. You've spoken with them?

You can ramp your floor back down to the slab in any manner that suits you, but you need to consider just how you'll tile that transition area. Might be a little more tricky than you envision.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[tilejoe]

Hi Alan,

Cx is playing it safe and god knows he's forgotten more than I know.

I wouldn't have a problem setting that Kerri drain real tight to the slab with thinset and bonding deck mud to my slab with thinset as well. We can keep the shower floor to a minimum that way.

I would also keep the Hardi up, and run Kerdi membrane over everything, I mean the work is already done...or you can use a paint on membrane as well.

Cx is right about the 2" min drain height thing, but it is YOUR house and YOU can do as YOU like here. No warranties and not "code compliant" without the 2".

[tilejoe]

You can also chop the slab in the shower out or down enough as well.

[13floornetwork]

CX, I understand the code requirements. I am trying to make it "close" to ADA requirements and I live outside the city so I don't have to be exactly right but do want it to function correctly. I am retired so this house is it.

Joe, the drain is sitting about 1/2" above the concrete so I will have to pack under it. I told my contractor what my requirements were with the walk-in shower. With me not knowing the difference in what he was doing, he set the drain wrong after jack-hammering out the floor for new drain. The tile company I hired to do the shower put the Hardi up. The installation is terrible. I don't think putting Kerdi over it will do the job. Screws are sticking out and they busted it at the seams. When I asked them about the pan they did not know what I was talking about. Said it was already in. Anyway, long story short, I fired them.

I am a good DIY guy and have done cabinet and trim before and some concrete work. I just think putting Kerdi-Board up will be easier for me.

I am just disappointed about the 3 ft opening that looks like I am going to have to put in a small curb in anyway. I'm just looking for a way to keep it sloped if possible. I know to do it like I want I would have to Jack-hammer out the floor and lower it, just don't want to go through that process.

Thanks for the advice. If you are anybody have any ideas even out of the box ideas I would entertain them to stay with a sloped walk-in.