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Could someone tell me if there’s anything I could do to even out some lumps in my concrete shower base. Fortunately, it’s in my own house…not something I’d ever try on someone else’s house. Using a JLC article as a guideline, I installed the sub-base, the waterproofing membrane and the final concrete layer. Due to my inexperience with concrete, the reality of the base being 6′ long, and the fact that the mud was quite dry (as recommended), I had an awful time getting an even surface. I have enough bumps that they will be real obvious once I set the tile. Is there a way to either grind down the high spots…not the ideal, since I’m living in the house, or fill the low spots without the risk of the cold joint delaminating later?
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Excuse me for a second: hahahahahahahahaha!
There now, I'm better. Several ways to fix the problem, but before we get on with that, let me say there is another reason besides aesthetics for you to flatten things out. Water drainage. The water won't go to the drain as readily if it collects in "duckponds" first.
To remove the high spots you have several options: grind away using a 4" grinder with diamond coated disc and a light touch. Or, fill the low spots with a silica sand/cement mixture mixed wet with concrete glue. Depending on how high is high and how low is low, you may even get away with using a stiff thinset to build up the low spots.
Third option is to use the siffer thinset when setting the tile. This is a different way at looking at the problem. Perhaps you have too low spots and not really too high spots?
Fourth, blast and start over. This is relatively easy at this point.
Sorry for the chuckle at your expense. Just know you're not the first and I do applaud you for coming clean with this.
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If you used the mud recipie Byrne called for in the JLC Article you should have no problem removing the high spots with a hand masonry rubbing stone. You can fill in low spots with an additional layer of mud if you use a bonding layer of thinset mortar between the existing mud and the new. Thinset has very low compressive strength and should only be used in THIN applications. Tripp
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Could someone tell me if there's anything I could do to even out some lumps in my concrete shower base. Fortunately, it's in my own house...not something I'd ever try on someone else's house. Using a JLC article as a guideline, I installed the sub-base, the waterproofing membrane and the final concrete layer. Due to my inexperience with concrete, the reality of the base being 6' long, and the fact that the mud was quite dry (as recommended), I had an awful time getting an even surface. I have enough bumps that they will be real obvious once I set the tile. Is there a way to either grind down the high spots...not the ideal, since I'm living in the house, or fill the low spots without the risk of the cold joint delaminating later?