How to Build a Shower

You can install a shower anywhere inside or out.

Bathroom showers are easy to install if you purchase a prefabricated insert, but you can also choose to build a shower from scratch. A shower can be installed anywhere in the home as long as there is a plumbing line that can be tapped into for the shower hose and the waster water line. You can build a basic one-person shower and hang a shower curtain for privacy, or you can install an enclosure and make a state of the art steam shower according to your preferences.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw or handsaw
• Drill
• Broom
• Tar paper
• Staple gun and staples
• Trowel
• Construction adhesive
• Concrete mix
• Tiles, adhesive and grout or shower enclosure

Instructions

1. 

   Subflooring can be replaced with standard plywood.

   Tear up existing flooring materials until you reach the sub-flooring level, then make sure the sub-floor is structurally sound. Cut out areas of rotted subfloor with a circular saw or a hand-held saw, then replace the damaged areas with new subflooring. Be sure the walls around the shower are solid and in good condition. Create a hole for the floor drain with a drill bit, and make sure there's a hole in the wall for the shower head pipe. Install the drain pipe and shower head pipe, or have a plumber do it for you if you're not experienced with plumbing.

2. 

   A sharp utility knife provides a clean, precise cut.

   Lay tar paper in the shower floor, then use a staple gun to secure it in place with staples spaced no more than 1 inch apart. Trim the edges of the tar paper to fit, with a utility knife. Use the utility knife to trim a circular hole in the tar paper to fit the drain.

3. 

   The shower floor should slope slightly toward the drain.

   Mix a batch of concrete or purchase ready-mixed concrete to lay in the base of the shower floor. Spread a smooth layer of concrete on the shower base with a trowel. Build the concrete layer up to about 1 to 2 inches. Create a 1/4-inch slope from the outer edges of the floor down toward the drain. The slope helps prevent standing water and ensures the water travels toward the drain.

4. 

   The shower base must be completely waterproof.

   Install a heavy duty shower liner made of rubber or PVC in the floor and about 6 inches up the wall. The liner creates a waterproof barrier so any water that seeps through the shower floor won't damage the sub-floor beneath the shower. Attach the liner with construction adhesive.

5. 

   Install a glass door shower enclosure for a sophisticated look.

   Create a curb for the shower base if you desire. A curb can be built of lumber, stacked bricks or molded concrete. Apply another layer of concrete over the waterproof liner. Allow the concrete to cure at least 24 hours, then finish the shower by installing tiles or a shower enclosure. You can also apply smooth or textured concrete for a plain concrete shower if you wish.

References

• North American Tile: Shower Floor (Shower Pan)
• John Bridge: Shower Curb
• Schluter Systems: Tile Shower--Overview