Types of Concrete for a Shower Bed

Portland Cement

• The first ingredient used in the making of concrete for a shower bed is Portland cement. This cement serves as the main adhesive in the concrete mixture and should be the only cement that you choose to create a shower bed. Avoid cement products that’s contain lime. Lime cements will prevent the concrete mix from setting up properly once the shower floor has been crafted.

Sand

• To create the consistency necessary to build a shower bed with Portland cement, you must add sand to the cement before mixing in the liquid. Adding sand to Portland cement is what turns the mortar mixture into a concrete mix. To mix up a proper “mud” for the shower floor, use roughly 4 to 5 parts sand to 1 part cement.

Liquid

• To finish off the concrete for a shower bed, you must mix the cement and sand mixture into sticky, spreadable medium. This involves adding liquid to the mix until the sand and cement cling together and appear damp. Two liquids can serve this purpose. The first is latex additive, which creates a highly durable and flexible concrete product that holds up well in shower floors. The second is plain water, which provides a durable concrete mix for most shower beds.

Waterproofing the Shower Bed

• After you build a shower bed, you must waterproof the surface of the bed before installing any type of floor covering, such as tile or fiberglass to the shower floor. A shower bed can be waterproofed by installing a shower pan liner, which consists of a flexible piece of vinyl, over the shower bed once the concrete dries. To install a shower pan liner, you must cut a hole for the drain in the shower bed, line the area around the drain with waterproof sealer and attach the shower pan liner to the floor with nails or staples.