custom walkin shower

[Southern boy]

I'm building my first custom walkin shower on an existing concrete pad. Was told by big box store to use custom float for my first layer of mud. Added amount of water indicated which made a very dry mud mix and built my slope to code. Had a delay in picking out tile and thankfully so. The custom float is clacking and doesn't feel strong under foot. Has anyone had this problem? Custom float dry mud mix says it's for shower pans. I'm thinking about busting this floor up and starting with a different product. I'm a DYI guy so I spoke to a contractor and he suggested that many others may have cracked but didn't have weeks before covering it up so continue on. Just don't want to have a problem later. Have already purchased Mercrete hydoguard one for my waterproofing. Any tips with this also?

[bbcamp]

Did you bond the mud to the slab with thinset or a slurry of pure portland cement? It sounds like you didn't and the mud is just floating over the slab. It probably shrunk a little, allowing some movement that you are hearing.

Haven't used Mercrete Hydroguard as a liner. I don't have anything negative to say about it, but I do urge you to carefully review their instructions and follow them to the letter. Also, purchase and use a wet film thickness gage to verify you are applying the correct amount of liquid. You are the only QC inspector on your job, and this is the most critical thing you will be doing.

Despite what I said earlier about following the instructions, If they do not include any reinforcing fabric at the corners and the drain connection, please use it anyway. The weak link in this type of shower constuction is where two surfaces are spanned by the membrane. The extra time and money will make for better sleep.

[Southern boy]

Was told to scratch the surface but nothing about slurry or thinset. I'm busting this up right? If so do I thin set a layer of thin set with my notched trial , let this dry then use the custom float?

[muskymike]

Hi JB, welcome! You want to use the thinset slurry on the concrete as you work the Custom Float so it bonds to the concrete.

[Hammy]

JB, why dont you mix your own dry pack for your mud bed? 5 part sand 1 part portland cement. Look in the library ( in the blue line at the top) for building a mud bed.

Hammy

[Southern boy]

Wish I had known about this site before I started. Busting up the mud bed. Will lay down thin set slurry and immediately start dry pack mud bed while thin set is still wet. I assume thin set slurry is just thin set mixed really loose. Correct?

[muskymike]

Hi JB that is correct. Just spread enough thinset to work the area as you do the mud base.

[Raymondo]

Hey JB,

I have used the Merkrete product and like it. Wear gloves when you apply it. Also, you will be using the "divot method" for your mud bed. Check out the thread by Gueuzeman (frankengueuze shower) for info on how to do it.

[merkretetyler]

Southern Boy

Let me know if you have any questions. There is a lot of additional information on our website on HydroGuard One.

Jim.whitfield@parexusa.com

Sincerely,