How to Make Mud Pans for Showers

A mud pan for a shower is basically the bed of the shower floor. It is referred to as a pan because the floor is pan-shaped and tapers down to the drain to allow the water flow into it. This design is achieved by creating a sloping base made of concrete, which is commonly referred to as the mud. The type of concrete used in shower pans is a combination of cement and sand, called sand mix. This type of cement tapers easily, so it's ideal for a shower pan.

Roofing felt
Steel mesh
Tack nails
Hammer
Metal shears
Razor
Shower drain
Wrench
Sand mix concrete
Trowel
Shower liner

Instructions

- 1
  Lay roofing felt and steel mesh over the floor of the shower area. Attach the felt and mesh to the floor with small tack nails and a hammer. Trim away the material over the drain hole opening in the floor with a pair of metal shears and a razor. Install the bottom half of the drain -- it comes in two halves, a top and a bottom -- in the drain hole by screwing the bolts into the floor with a wrench.
- 2
  Make a large batch of sand mix, following the manufacturer's instructions. Spread the sand mix over the floor. Pack down the sand mix with a flat trowel, creating a solid base that tapers to the drain on all sides. Let the material dry for 24 hours.
- 3
  Lay a shower liner, which is a waterproof material, over the solid concrete floor. Attach this to the sides of the walls with tack nails and a hammer. Cut away and remove the excess liner material with a razor. Mount the top of the drain to the bottom of the drain by screwing in the drain bolts with a wrench.
- 4
  Spread more sand mix on top of the shower liner with your trowel. Tamp and pack this layer down to match the sloping grade of the layer beneath it. Let this layer dry for 24 hours to allow the sand mix time to cure.

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