Buiding a Shower

    Once the tearout is complete and everything is cleaned up, the first thing to do is plumbing. If you are changing the shower valve or adding a handheld or body sprayers, this is the right time. Always be sure to pressure check before proceeding to the next step. It's always a good idea to snap a few pictures of the plumbing in case there is an issue later, paper never forgets, nor do pictures.




This shows the control valve, the two black valves are diverters for the shower head and three body sprayers ( gray stubs)





 

The next step is to add blocking for the water proof membrane.

 I like to put up black paper for extra support for the waterproof membrane. A very important step missed by many, is to preslope the floor to the drain. The drain has weep holes to allow water that makes it's way thru, to drain out of the pan. If the floor is not sloped, or the weep holes not opened, the pan will fill with water.

 



Now the waterproof membrane is installed. This is a 40 mil liner, similiar to a doughboy pool liner. It is very important to be very, very cautious not to put a hole in this, no nails below the height of the dam. I always put, cardboard or roofing felt to protect the liner.

 

 

 

 

 15 lb roofing felt is applied to the walls, starting at the bottom working to the top. Overlap at least two inches, be careful in the corners, even a small hole can be a problem. Don't cheap out on the felt, it's harder to work with, but is worth it, I've seen the lighter weight stuff dissintergrate after just 10 years, making it necessary to replace the shower due to water damage. Once the roofing paper is up use 2.5 lb metal lath, starting at the bottom working up, the lath has an up and down side to it. If you look at it there are little cups, they should face up so when mud is applied it will rest in these cups, instead of sliding off. Use at least a 1 1/4 inch roofing nail, nailing every 6 inches. Don't nail too tightly, barely touch the wire so it has some room for expansion and contraction.

 

 

The next two steps are done on two different days. First the scratch coat, this this a thin coat about 1/8 of an inch thick, fully covering the wire. I like to take the extra mud an cover  the waterproof membrane to protect it on the next step, which is to float or brown coat. This makes the walls plumb, flat and square. Redwood strips are used as screeds, set in a thin layer of mud, then plumbed. Strips are set 2 per wall as far apart as straight edges will reach to screed mud off. When the process is complete, the strips are removed, then the walls should set for a short period of time to firm up, then rubbed down with a neoprene or wood float. When this has set for another hour or so, depending on weather conditions, it should be ready to set tile on.

 

 

Now it's time to tile, lay out the tile on the floor to determine cuts and heights for accents, soap boxes etc.This shower has the bottom courses straight, then an accent stripe, then a smaller module on a diagonal with inserts randomly placed throughout. After the walls are set the floor is floated and set. Alot of home shows start by tiling the floor, the cart before the horse. It is better to always work your way out.

 

 

The finished product, with a foot rest to wash  feet or shave legs. A grab bar and all the handles and sprayers installed.

 This is the tryed and true method to install a shower, however modern technology has newer, methods, both faster and easier, in some ways better. The Germans are really cutting edge with their technology. They've come up with Wedi board and Schulter, this will be another post for another day.

 



Know your contractor

 A few years ago my wife and I were invited to my son-in-laws moms home for dinner. I noticed two big piles of dirt in the front yard and inquired if she was going to set up a motocross track. "No, my landscaper dumped it and hasn't been back." In talking with her I learned she had given him 3 grand up front and hadn't seen him since, about a month or two. She showed me his contract, which was very basic, the one key element missing was a contractors license number. After a short discussion Jeff called the landscaper and advised him to complete the work within 7 days or he'd call the California State License Board. CSLB. Well fortunately he did follow through and completed the work.
      This could have turned out differently, the guy could have changed his number, skipped town or just told her to pound sand. When looking for a contractor always ask for references, check the license number with the CSLB. This is a simple process, go on their website and check by name or license number. Be sure that it is active and that it is his or hers license, you cannot use another persons license to do business. Also check to see that they carry workmans compensation. Many will claim exempt (meaning they have no employees) then show up with three or four guys.If a contractor carries no WC, the homeowner is then responsible should one of these people gets injured while working on your premises. Be smart check them out. If you deal with licensed contractors you have recourse, with non licensed, it's pretty tough. The CSLB can help in most cases with nonlicensed guys.
    According to CSLB guidelines you should never have to give a contractor more than $1000.00 or 10% of the total contract. Many will ask for up front money, be careful.... Some jobs may require deposit or money for nonrefundable items such as cabinet doors or granite. Be certain to have a paper trail.He said she said doesn't hold up in court, paper will. Most contractors have accounts to buy material, so they don't need money upfront. It is perfectly acceptable to give a check for material when it arrives at the jobsite. You could also do progress payments, that way money goes out when there is something to show for it.
      Not all contractors are crooks. There are alot of good craftsmen out there. Take your time and do some homework. It doesn't take but a few minutes.The first time I had a customer tell me they checked me out with the license board, I wasn't quite sure what to think, did they not trust me, what were they looking for? Now I encourage it. Word of mouth is a great advertiser, satisfied customers are like gold.