i’m considering installing my own shower pan following instruction from an article ‘installing a leakproof shower pan.’ the method uses a vinyl membrane. does anyone have any bad, or good experience with this product and should i have it hot mopped instead? i’d like to save the money and do it myself, but the most important thing is the durability and integrity of the materials, so it doesn’t have to be done again. thanks.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn how to plan, fabricate, and install a chute to conveniently send your dirty clothes from an upstairs bathroom or hallway to your laundry room below.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
but the most important thing is the durability and integrity of the materials, so it doesn't have to be done again
With the vast majority of home improvement projects, that statement is quite true. But in the case of a shower pan, material quality seems to be about 20% of the battle. The other 80% is the quality of the installation, coupled with the design of the shower and surrounding areas.
So if you haven't done one of these under the watchful eye of an experienced installer, you might want to think twice.
And note that a minor leak might never be detected until it has rotted the floor framing.
To try to answer your actual question (hot mop vs liner material), you should probably check with your local building inspectors. Many areas have code specifications concerning this very question.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Installing a membrane is well within the abilities of a conciencious DYIer. The biggest challenge is in folding the corners and keeping the curb watertight. One of those preformed curbs eliminates the need to nail through the inside of the curb.
In addition. the liner thickens the lower edge of the shower walls, so to keep a plumb tile surface on the walls, a little effort must be made to either back out the backer board where it laps the membrane, or relieve the framing a bit at the bottom so the backer can lay plumb at the bottom.
50 ml is very forgiving material, follow instructions and you'll be OK
the Bryne book is good, I assume the video is too
thank you all for your input. i'm pretty determined to do the shower pan myself. i'm certain there are professionals more capable and experienced at this than me, but don't know where to find anyone who cares more about it than i do. i'll look for the bryne book and/or video, and check into the preformed curb covering (although, this is not a standard size shower or threshold.) any other advice is welcome.