How Do You Install Shower Pan Floors?
Building a shower-stall floor (or “shower pan”) is a time-consuming and complicated project that you shouldn’t undertake yourself unless you’ve has some experience at carpentry and mortar work. A properly built shower pan consists of a sloped layer of cement, topped with a thick plastic liner, topped with more cement, which is then tiled. It’s made to ensure that if water gets past the layer of tiles, it will be captured by the liner underneath and diverted back into the drain. Set the drain assembly in the middle of your framed-in shower stall; the assembly should remain loose and adjustable for now. Measure and cut cement board to cover the floor, using a razor knife to score and snap the edges and using a jigsaw to cut out the hole for the drain. Secure the board to the floor with carpenter’s glue, then use a screw gun to sink drywall screws every foot. Lay cement mesh over the floor, cutting it to size with tin snips. Cut out the hole for the drain at the center. Secure the mesh w
