I’m installing a prefab shower base. Everything I read says lay mortar under it to help support it. I also find that mortar is a bit loosely used term and could be a number of things.
What exactly can you use? Concrete? Brick mortar? Repair mortar? There seem to be a lot of options. Maybe my concerns aren’t necessary but I started thinking since all things are not created equal there may be issues with this being a wet area, or maybe there are some things that could harm the base, etc.
Thanks,
Steve
Replies
I would use somthing without a lot of portland cement, like a deck mud, about a 5 to 1 ratio of sand to cement. HD has it and it is called Sand Mix. Tile stores have it and it is called Deck Mud or Dry Pack. 1 or 2 bags at $5 each should do it. Mix it very, very dry, and add moisture only until it clumps up then stop.
Water is not your friend, and too much water will cause the mortar to shrink. You want that mortar to stay put. If if shrinks at all it will not do you any good.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927
Boris is right, but I recently installed a large handicapped shower and we set the premade pan on a bed of thinset, spread with a 1/2" notched trowel per mfr. recommendation.
Jules Quaver for President 2004
Structolight
most of the units we're getting have shim blocks tabbed into the base... instead of mortar or crete.. we're shimming with wood.. set the unit.. glue the shims in with subfloor adheshiveMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
How do you get access to the shims? Isn't that why mortar is used...a couple of globs here and there, let the weight of the pan compress them to the needed depth? BTW, this is one thing I have not done, so I ask out of ignorance.
if it's replacement or you don't have access to the back or ends, then the blob is all you can do... but we often have access to the back and ends , so the shims are great...Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Thanks for all of the feedback. I don't have access to set shims. I happen to have a bag of sand mix so I will try that.
Steve