Waterproofing Concrete Shower Floor Before Tiling

Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the subfloor.

Waterproofing concrete shower floor before tiling.

Use the notched trowel to spread mortar over the entire shower floor then press a sheet of waterproof membrane into the wet mortar. Whether you re laying down a new tile floor or installing a shower you may use a sheathing material such as backerboard. The thickness of the pour makes a difference in how fast it will cure. You can also use plywood we typically call the tile people to put a mud bed sloped to the drain before we get going.

Cement is actually a very porous material and can easily absorb water. Let the surface of the concrete completely dry before installing tile. You will need to use an acid based solution like muriatic acid to rough up the surface if the top of the concrete is still smooth. Take some water and mop the surface to remove any dirt dust or small debris.

Prepare the existing walls for the tile installation. Water can penetrate through cement based grout and work its way through the substrate. Use a plumber s pan and drain to encapsulate the shower floor. Remove any items from your walls such as shelves trim or.

Continue sprinkling until the floor is lightly dampened all the way across. Once all the mortar has cured tiling can commence. Additionally a steps must be taken to ensure that a concrete floor will create a solid bond. Backup waterproof layer under mud and behind the board.

Install the preformed curb covering it with mortar and waterproof membrane. To prevent water damage you must install a waterproof membrane just below the tile bonding mortar as close to the tile as possible. Although most backerboards currently available won t fall apart when exposed to moisture and are somewhat water resistant they aren t waterproof. The general rule is to wait 28 days for concrete to cure before installing tile over it.

Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the floor. How to waterproof seal a shower tub before tile step 1. Waterproofing concrete is a fairly simple procedure. This is the last line of defense.

If cement is not waterproofed it can cause issues with the mortar used between the tiles. It is not structural but it must be non compressible. Cover the tub with a dropcloth and tape the edges flat to the surrounding surfaces to seal the cloth in place. There are two types of waterproof membranes sheet and liquid applied options.

To prepare your concrete subfloor make sure that it can accept water penetration. Smooth the membrane with the trowel. There are rapid curing versions that can be used to speed it up. Therefore any concrete that may come into regular contact with water such as under tile or for a pool will need to be waterproofed.

The concern is shrinkage in the concrete as it cures in its early stages.