Replies

1. 
   mikeys | Nov 25, 2003 05:11pm | #1

   Slope ceiling 2" per foot (TCA recommendation) so it doesn't rain on you. Epoxy grout. Slope steam line back to steamer unit so condensation doesn't spit at you.

   Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.

1. 
   amenichel | Nov 25, 2003 05:50pm | #2

   Thank you Mikey,

   What do you think would be better for the composition of the walls, floor, and ceiling?

   The space now is Gypsum Board around, concret slab, and 2x4 suspended ceiling tiles. Of course I am not arrive to the ceiling but I need to have contact with the existing walls and floors.

   Adrian

1. 
   Scooter1 | Nov 25, 2003 10:16pm | #3

   Hey, Buddy, you are biting off a pretty good piece, hope you can chew it all:

   1. Build Shower per Tile Council Rules. Won't go into details here, but sloped shower pan (pre-slope, membrane, mortar, tile) with shower pan membrane going at least 2 inches above height of curb. No mechanical fasters into membrane except at top. No drywall, use backerboard or mud for floors and walls. Lotsa articles and postings on this.

   2. In addition, for a Steam Room, the ceilings have to be sloped per the prior poster. Off hand I forget what that spec is, but get a copy of the TCA Rules. In addition, all walls and ceilings MUST be membraned, so you need either a sheet membrane (like NobelTS or a PVC product like Composeal) or a liquid membrane (like Laticrete 9235 or a clone).

   3. Bench should either be (1) constructed of wood, covered with CBU, and completely covered with a sheet membrane; (2) constructed of wood covered with CBU and completely covered with a liquid membrane; constructed with a few concrete bricks and mudded; or (4) Buy a pre-made bench like "Better Bench" and attach same to wall. Nos. 3 and 4 are the best options here.

   Good Luck!

   TCA http://www.tileusa.com/publication_main.htmRegards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   amenichel | Nov 25, 2003 11:02pm | #4

   Thank you Boris, your information is clear and simple.

   Adrian

2. 
   donpapenburg | Nov 26, 2003 04:14am | #5

   Hey Boris ,

   do you realy use liquid membrane?  Do you like it ?    I always wonder about  that stuff . I guess the big Q is would you put it in your house if you could get any of the other product that you mentioned?

1. 
   Scooter1 | Nov 26, 2003 07:18pm | #8

   The liquid membrane vs. sheet membrane debate. Each has its advantages.

   Cost. Sheet is more expensive; liquid is cheaper. But not by much. Expect to pay about $5 a foot by the time it is said and done.

   Installation: I like liquid membranes better here, although some would argue that the sheet membranes are easier to install. The liquid types are disgusting, messy and at the end of the day, I am covered in black rubbery c r a p . Wear a hat and throw everything away. Its just that the sheet membranes are hard to install with overlaps and corners, at least for me. There are no noticeable overlaps for the liquid. Brush it on, embed the fiberglass mat, and brush some more on. Forms a continuous seal.

   Effectiveness. Intuitively, I would say that sheet membranes should perform better. But I have seen waterfountains waterproofed with Laticrete 9235. Both are approved membranes for steam showers.

   Excess Product. The sheet membranes can be stored indefinitely if kept out of the sun. The liquid membranes have to be sealed and once opened have a limited shelf life of about 6 months once air gets into the 5 gal. bucket.

   Pick 'em. Sheet or Liquid; Ford or Chevy.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

2. 
   mikeys | Nov 26, 2003 05:28pm | #6

   Boris is right. Particularly about "biting off a big piece". You need to do this right. If you leave sheet rock and suspended ceiling your room is going to melt.Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.

1. 
   amenichel | Nov 26, 2003 06:02pm | #7

   Thank you for your answer,

   Adrian

2. 
   sphaugh | Nov 26, 2003 10:14pm | #9

   try to contain your ceiling height to ~7' more is just wasted energy. 

   Also check out http://www.steamist.com/considerations.htm

1. 
   amenichel | Nov 26, 2003 10:43pm | #10

   Thank you very much, this is the fifth massage that I receive, I am really glad with all of you

    

   Adrian

3. 
   archyII | Nov 27, 2003 02:35am | #11

   Size the steam generator for the materail that you are going to use to clad the shower.  Had a client switch from cermic tile to 3/4" marble slabs after the steam generator was installed.  The shower will not heat up due to the mass of the stone slabs.

1. 
   Scooter1 | Nov 27, 2003 02:39am | #12

   I would never, ever use a porous material like marble, limestone, slate etc for a shower, let alone a steam shower.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   donpapenburg | Nov 27, 2003 05:26am | #13

   Thanks for the in fo I was wondering . I think that I will try the sheet stuff.

2. 
   barnbluff | Feb 24, 2005 08:38am | #14

   Hey Boris,

   Why no stone in the shower? I've heard that microbes breed there but that sounds fishy to me. Your opinion is certain. Would you expound a bit more on it please?

   Thanks, mike

1. 
   Scooter1 | Feb 24, 2005 04:57pm | #15

   Stone is porous, about 10x as porous as a good porceline tile. Mold and mildew need two things to live and breed, water and an organic food supply. The shower will have water of course, and the soaps, hair dirt, etc supply an ample food supply. The porous nature of the stone makes that stuff lodge in there and mold quickly attaches and breeds. This is not fishy, this is moldy. I've been in this racket for 27 years now, and while you are free to disagree with me, I do speak from some experience.Stone is not impossible, but one has to perform a daily maintenance regimen in order to keep it up-daily wiping down the the shower walls and floor with towels, weekly cleaning with strong cleaners, and probably monthly or bi-monthly sealing of grout. If ya'all want to do that every day, then fine and dandy. Most of my customers just want to shower, towel off them themselves, and get dressed. Fail to do that and you will quickly find that slate or stone will become discolored (first signs of something growing) and it will go downhill from there.If you talk to any of the building engineers or maintenance personnel at the big luxery hotels or resorts where stone showers are sometimes installed, they will tell you the same thing. But they have daily maids and monthly maintenance schedules, and can afford to do so with daily rates of $200 plus.Regards,
   Boris"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934