How to Make a Shower Seat With Blocks

Mix up some mortar mix in a wheelbarrow using a shovel according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Decide how large you want your bench to be and mark some rough outlines on the floor with your tape measure and pencil. Put down around an inch of mortar on top of the concrete shower pan with the shovel, within your pencil lines.

Set your first row of blocks down on top of the mortar, allowing for 1/2 inch or so between the blocks as you space them out. Any necessary cuts can be made with the angle grinder. Insert the grinder blade into the block while the blade is spinning to cut the block. Fill the joints between the blocks with mortar and ensure there is mortar against the concrete underlayment running up the wall.

Put another row of blocks on top of the first. Layer at least 1/2 inch of mortar on top of the first row and then set your second row of blocks. Alternate the blocks so you don’t have the same vertical joints running up the wall. Tap all of the blocks together with the rubber mallet, including tapping them against the walls so the concrete mortar bonds everywhere.

Work your way up the block bench structure, row by row. Always put at least 1/2 inch to 1 inch of mortar in between the blocks and tap them firmly into place. Check the bench for plumb and level every couple of rows until you have reached the top of the bench. Allow the blocks 24 hours to set up with the mortar, waterproof it with your chosen protocol and then install your tile or natural stone material to cover the bench and tie it into the rest of the shower.