Shower question - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

**joasis** · 05-09-2006, 06:51 PM

I am specing a new custom home and the architect designed a walk in shower, like 4x6 ft. The question is: Can I taper the shower base in the floor so there is no lip, without placing a shower pan, or does it for sure need the pan in the concrete. I remember reading about a floor sealer to use in masonry construction that keep water from permeating the floor. Any thoughts?

Mike Finley · 05-09-2006, 06:55 PM

There are plenty of ADA showers without curbs, there are also plenty of high dollar shower installations in expensive master suites without doors.

Bill · 05-09-2006, 08:48 PM

Mike it's been a while since I've done ADA work but I recall doing one ADA shower, we had to frame the floor so the joists were set 1" (I think) lower and still had to use a pan, maybe just the arch's specs or code I do not know, but if it was up to me, I'd use the pan

**joasis** · 05-10-2006, 06:21 AM

This isn't ADA compliance, just a custom home and the lady of the house wants a smooth transition. I keep looking at haven't found the reference for the floor sealer yet. Most spec homes we do have fiberglass units, no tile, but since this will all be ceramic, I need to get this one speced out. I have been in a lot of customs in OKC and I have seen lots of walk-in showers with no lip and I wouldn't guess there is a pan or membrane under it.

Mike Finley · 05-10-2006, 09:23 AM

Being ADA compliant was only a reference to there are no curb showers being built every day.

What is the finished surface going to be? Stone? Tile? Why wouldn't you use Kerdi?

go dart · 05-10-2006, 01:16 PM

consider a cultured pan fabricated for an install such as yours. has to be some fabricators in your area. fall is built into the pan then notch the floor joist. although you pan is large, a tile setter will spend 3 days on it. may save a few $ also as i'm guessing the cost of a tile pan labor & matls around 90.00 a sq ft.

**joasis** · 05-10-2006, 03:27 PM

This is going in a ICF home, concrete floor. My thinking is have the plumber set the shower drain at the correct height and sweep the floor down to it, no pan. Then before the tile (ceramic/rough surface) goes on, seal the floor. In this case, I am not sure I need a pan.