Don’t you hate when your entire washroom remains wet all the time? It happens when you do not install the shower curb that splits the shower pan area and the bathroom floor so that your bathroom doesn’t remain wet 24/7.
The good news is you can build a shower curb at home without anyone’s assistance, even if you are a beginner.
There are different ways to install this curb, so I will explain the easiest one for your comfort. Want to know the complete details? Let’s check it out below.
How to Build a Shower Curb?
- Gather all the basic tools and supplies before proceeding to the installation work.
- Now find out the perfect material according to the shower flooring type. If the flooring is wood, get your hands on wood brick.
- The shower curb must be waterproof so that it absorbs water. Use a waterproof pan liner if you have not slopped the bathroom floor.
- Now chop the drain hole and make perfect cuts. At this point, you have to unscrew the bolts locate at the flange’s bottom side. The bolts are 4 and each one must be unscrewed.
- The liner you have applied must be set appropriately for which cover each corner of the curb.
- Use a metal lath so that the curb is fully covered. To make it stiff, you can apply 2 or 3 layers.
- Lastly, use a cement mortar and afterward, do finishing. You can make a cement mortar at home or purchase it from the near stores.
Tools and Materials Required
As it is going to be DIY work so you must have all the required supplies needed for this work. The tools and materials require are:
- Non-corrosive Screws
- Waterproof pan liner
- Gloves
- Liner glue
- Cement Mortar
- Lath
- Portland cement
- Flat Trowel
- knife
You might need some other accessories as well but ensure you have all the above-mentioned things so that you can begin working without any hurdles.
Shower Curb Installation Steps
If you are a newbie, you must be doubtful regarding so many points. Installing a curb is not a complex process if you are follow the correct method. Without wasting any second, let’s start the guide.
1. Prepare the Shower Curb
Firstly, check the material you need to prepare the shower curb. It depends on the flooring type in your washroom. For instance, if wooden floors are installed in your bathroom, you will need wood bricks, and make sure you bring some extra so that the entire surface is covered.
On the other hand, if you have laminate flooring, then you will require laminate bricks. It is easy to place these bricks on the shower curb area. Cut the bricks into equal lengths and place them one above the other.
You have to carefully maintain the height so that the door of the shower can easily be opened and closed. While preparing the shower curb, it is important to recall some points.
If you are working on a concrete floor, do not use lumber because it will soak water, and the surface will begin to swell. The height is another crucial factor that you should be mindful of.
2. Use Waterproof Pan Liner
The goal is not only to build a shower curb; the main objective should be to have a waterproof curb that protects the floor from water damage. For this, you can apply a waterproof pan liner. You can skip this step if you have sloped the floor.
You can simply move to the liner part. The liner should be spread on the floor in a smooth position so that looks agreeable and covers the entire surface. Remember you have to cover the entire bathroom floor with this liner, not only the curb part.
Before acknowledging the liner, it is vital to measure the surface so that you are not short of it. If the liner is sturdy, you can expose it to the sunlight so that it works smoothly.
3. Chop the Drain Hole
It’s time to make cuts on the liner that must be irreversible. In case you make the wrong cuts, you will need to apply the liner again. Wear gloves, and the knife you will use must have abrupt edges so that you can make cuts appropriately.
Make a cut in the middle of the shower drain and keep cutting in a spiral motion. There are 4 bolts at the drain flange’s bottom, so you must keep cutting until it reaches those bolts.
Once the circular hole has reached those bolts, unscrew them. Ensure the drain is waterproof so that the water doesn’t stand under the liner, creating any kind of damage.
Now get a silicone ring and place it under the liner, and do not forget to add it under the flange’s bottom. Once you have added, wear gloves and press this ring so that it is fully attached to the liner.
While screwing drain flange, be sensitive because they are composed of plastic material. If you are hard on them, they might break.
4. Set the Applied Liner
It’s time to cover the corners of the shower curb with liner so that it is applied at every spot. The corner of the shower curb must be lifted against the wall, for which you can use tape to keep them in position. If you do not want to use tape, nail the liner.
To join the curb to the wall, cut the borders of the liner vertically. While applying the liner, if you mistakenly leave any curb spot, you will face leakage issues later. The glue that you will buy to set the liner must function properly.
5. Cover the Curb with Lath
Now, what’s next? You have to shield the curb using a metal lath to make sure there will be zero leakage problems in the future.
Every person obtains different methods, but we will be using a metal lath that is more appropriate and doesn’t demand a lot of action. After using a lath, we will place a cement mortar layer so that the lath can be hidden perfectly.
Firstly, check how much lath you will need to cover the entire surface. Once you have measured, make sure to cut down one inch less. Why? because you will not use it tightly against the liner.
You can purchase lath from different stores or can also order from Amazon. After applying the lath, you can use tape so that you can conceal the fringes smoothly.
The lath has sharp edges, so to avoid any accident, do not forget to wear gloves. If you want to make your lath stiff, you can apply 2 or 3 coats.
6. Finally, Use Mud
Now you are done with everything. The only work you need to do is apply mortar mud to cover the lath. After the mud, you will only have to do finishing so that your newly installed shower curb looks terrific.
Buy readymade mortar and then add some water into it. The mortar is all set to be applied. However, if you want to make it at home, Get sand and add four parts of it to a bowl; take portland cement and add only 1 part of it.
Now use masonry lime and mix all these ingredients. Mix water of the required quantity. You have to make the mixture creamy so keep swirling till you get the required results.
Once the mixture is made, you can start spreading it on the curb. Spread it right so that it looks divine. Once the entire mortar is applied, you can use a trowel so that the excessive mud can be wiped off.
However, while removing it, make sure you are not cleaning it from the shower curb. Hence, these are the easy steps that you have to follow if you want to install a shower curb at home without any expert’s need.
If you have all the products mentioned above, the process will be relatively easy for you to build a shower curb at home.
Preventions While Installing Shower Curb
The process of installing a shower curb is chaotic, but with some precautions, you can successfully do it. With some right tips, you can easily finish this task but ensure you have the proper tools to make this job done.
It is important to wear gloves when you use a flat trowel for applying mud or cement and ensure do not mix the cement or mud with other materials. While mixing the cement, it is better to use a flat surface and make 2 bags.
It will prevent you to waste the mixture. You have to apply the same process for a shower door. Do not install the wall panel until the cement is totally dry otherwise, it will create issues.
Also, it is better to follow the instructions given on the packaging. Your safety should be your number 1 priority so do not take it for granted. Wear gloves on every step and particularly while applying a lath because the sharp corners can harm you.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
We have tried our best to mention as much information as possible because as a newbie it is not easy to complete the work without proper guidance.
Let’s not stop this guide here and talk about some questions that people often ask regarding the deck mud or the liner.
Can You Build a Shower Curb Out of Wood?
Yes, if you are going to install a shower curb on a woof floor then it is obvious to install it out of a wood. If you will install the curb on Laminate floors, you need laminate bricks.
How Thick Should a Shower Curb Be?
The measurement is important to keep in mind so that you complete this task successfully. Make sure the curb you are going to install is not below 2 inches in terms of thickness and it also should not be above 9 inches.
Is 6 Inches Too High for a Shower Curb?
No, it is a perfect measurement. You can keep 6 inches height from the drain but ensure 9 inches is the limit. The height should not be above that.
Does a Shower Curb Need to Slope?
Yes, it should be slopped so that the curb prevents water damage. However, if you haven’t slopped, you can use a waterproof liner. It will also be helpful.
What to Build Shower Curb Out of?
It entirely depends on the bathroom flooring material. If the floor is wooden then you have to use a wood shower curb but if it is made of laminate flooring, you have to go for laminate bricks.
Final Thoughts
Are you a beginner and trying to install a shower curb so that your entire bathroom floor doesn’t remain wet every time you use it? The process is easy if you are following the right steps.
If you have landed on this page for guidance, you are inevitably in the right place. Before stepping into the process, it is vital to get all the essential supplies and materials.
You have to be extra careful regarding your safety so that no accident occurs during this process. Follow every above-mentioned point without skipping anything so that you successfully manage to finish the task.
At any step, if you feel anyone’s help, you can call an expert. Along with the installation steps, we have also written down some preventions that you must obey.
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