How We Build & Waterproof Your Shower
How We Build & Waterproof Your
New Custom Shower
Here’s How 4Ever Remodeling Constructs A Durable,
High-Quality Custom Shower
Many Chicago homeowners wonder about proper shower waterproofing.
Many different companies use various techniques and materials to build and waterproof a shower base. Over the years, we’ve tried many different approaches, until our team came up with an effective and simple solution that allows us to deliver a custom shower base that you can enjoy for a long time – without any concerns that in a few months the newly completed shower may start leaking.
Our Process For Building A Top-Quality Custom Shower
- Inspection: We start with proper inspection of the subfloor and checking if losses or sponge part of it is not inside the shower area.
- Framing: Following the subfloor inspection making sure that it is in properly secured and is in good condition, we start framing shower bases that include shower curb and blocking.
- Waterproofing: Once the framing is completed, the next step is to set a waterproofing rubber liner and attach it to the plumbing shower drain as well as to the shower walls. This will prevent water from leaking in and damaging the subfloor.
- Installation: After the rubber part is done, installation of the cement board or backer board begins. This includes necessary joints and corner patching.
- Concrete: The next step is to pour the concrete to create a proper slope. Over the years and upon evaluating all our completed projects, we discovered that the approximately 15 square feet concrete shower base should have a thickness of a minimum 1 ½ inch by the shower drain and 2 inches on the shower edges. This will allow the concrete to be solid and stay sturdy for years.
- Rubber Liner: Once the concrete is dry, we apply a liquid rubber liner as a second waterproofing. This covers approximately 2 inches on concrete shower base and 5 feet high all the way around the shower walls where water hits most. After testing this application many times, we found out that if custom shower bases are constructed from plywood subfloor, this application prevents micro movements as well as grout cracking.
- Shower Curb: And the final part of successfully building and waterproofing a custom shower base is solid peace for the top of the shower curb. Usually we use quartz made by our fabricator however many tile stores offer it as well. The solid shower curb piece does not have grout linens and prevents any grout separation or creaking, which is very common in the shower curb grout tends to wash off.
There are many different techniques and guides for building a successful custom shower base. Every year, we remodel a high volume of bathrooms – either as part of bigger projects or single baths. We’ve developed our own system that benefits our clients by allowing them to enjoy their new investment for a long time.
Contact 4Ever Remodeling
If you are considering bathroom remodeling in the near future, don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule an in-home consultation with one of our friendly team members.
4EVER REMODELING
If you want to discuss more about how our company can successfully complete your remodeling project,
feel free to schedule an in-home consultation with one of our friendly team members.
