How to Build a Shower? (Step by Step Guide)

Do you want to remodel your bathroom, or have you thought about re-organizing its fittings? Here you will find the right instructions to build a shower without complication.

Installing a new shower pan doesn’t require special skills; you can finish this DIY project within a day and freshen your bathroom on your own.

You must follow proper instructions and use the right tools to finish this DIY task smoothly. Our experts have compiled a detailed set of instructions about this project to help you build an ideal showering place.

 

Before You Begin Building a Shower

You can’t straightaway start this process, as you have to do a lot of construction, tile installation, and other plumbing activities, so you need permission from the authorities.  You can’t disturb the drainage system of your neighbors or the overall water lines.

If you want to modify any drainage or water supply line, you need approval from the municipalities of your zone. Secondly, you must also fix a specific timeline for this structural work.

You have to schedule specific hours for the remodeling project of your bathroom. If you have multiple shower enclosures and bathroom fittings, you can build a shower anytime; otherwise, you have to think about alternatives.

What Will You Need?

Before you start this process, you must be aware of the necessary tools and materials that you will require during this process. It is better to arrange these essential things to finish this task without any hurdles smoothly:

Tools

• Cordless Drill
• Putty Knife
• Pencil
• Tape Measure
• Bubble Level
• Jigsaw or Hole Saw
• Hammer
• Tile Sponge
• Philips and Flathead Screwdrivers
• Adjustable Pliers
• Washers
• Chip Brush
• Paint Roller
• Paint Tray and Liners
• Wooden Beams
• Rail Type Tile Cutter
• Caulking Gun
• Tile
• Silicone Caulk
• Grout Sealer
• New Shower Pan

The Process of Building a Shower – Step by Step Instructions

Remodeling or installing a new shower will freshen your bathroom. You can add a well-crafted shower set to increase the overall value of your property.

Of course, nobody compromises on any older or broken shower pan, so you must build a modern bathroom with the right shower fixture. Here, you have the option to choose a walk-in shower which is a fantastic item added to any larger bathroom.

Now, you must be looking for an easy walk-in shower installation process or the right way to build a walk-in shower. The following guidelines will help you to build a shower of any format.

These shower installation DIY instructions make this process so easy that any beginner plumber can finish this job without any special skill. So, let’s get started:

Step 1. Prepare Your Bathroom Surface

Initially, you have to eliminate the debris and dirt particles from the surface of that particular area. This showering place must be cleaned before applying any material or installing a walk-in shower.

If you find dirt particles in other locations of your bathroom, then you should get rid of them as well for a neat bathroom.

Step 2. Mark the Shower Area

It’s better to mark this showering area with a tape measure and pencil to fix the surface precisely. You must know where you want to install this shower enclosure and its other fittings to focus on yourself.

If you want to fix a DIY shower stall, you have to mark its area for a perfect fixture.

Step 3. Install the Drainer

Now, you can fix the drainer and the shower beam with the right pan level. Sticking the duct tape to protect it from debris is a great idea.

Must remember that the beams are sometimes not suitable for the level of the shower pan. So, in this case, you can cut the beam with a circular saw for a perfect height.

Step 4. Layer of Shower Pan Material

To prevent leakage, you have to bring shower pan material. It’s a great idea to lay it at least 2 to 4 inches higher from your floor level. Also, cover the walls completely and ensure no hole is left in the entire shower area.

You need to maintain a bath curve with this material which should be at least 2 inches higher from the floor level.

Step 5. Level the Surface

The water level in this shower pan material should be optimum so that it should be sticky and dry enough to paste on any surface. This helps you to level any floor surface and hold everything to its origin.

Further, you need to keep the right flow of water. It should be at least 6 mm high from the walls to the drain. You should level it from the walls towards the drainage part so that water will not stop in any shower area.

Also, remember that the dry time of this material is 24 hours, so you have to wait for it. This will make the floor surface firm and smooth.

Step 6. Regulate the Water Supply Pipes

You also take care of the water supply pipes and their flow to utilize this shower. If you want to run the hot or cold water separately, you should support the main water supply line.

Before moving on to the next step, you should confirm the right flow of water from all the pipes and fixtures.

Step 7. Tiling Your Shower Floor

You can use ceramic tiles to cover the floor surface of your bathroom. You can match these tiles and their texture with the surroundings. Again, take care of the drain hole and fix these tiles according to their dimensions.

You must hold the jigsaw to cut these tiles according to your needs. Now, apply the adhesive material to fix these ceramic tiles on the floor and the walls of your shower area. Further, carefully attach these tiles to the surface with the right pattern.

Make sure you again give some dry time to this adhesive material to fix these tiles with the surface firmly. You can also decorate your showering area with vertical and horizontal tiles. It is better to purchase these ceramic tiles according to your favorite design plan.

Step 8. Apply the Right Tile Grout

To level the shower area, you have to apply the tile grout. You can match this grout color according to the design of your shower pan. It will give you an aesthetic look at the entire showering area.

Moreover, if you seal these tiles with the right material, it will also prevent the shower from leakage issues and discourage mold growth on the floor surface.

After applying this sealant, you must wait for an hour and then use any wet cloth to remove the excess grout from the surface. If you find any difficulty, you have the option to utilize the routing tool to feast this material on the surface easily.

Step 9. Add Silicone Sealant

Make sure you get the right water pressure without any leakage from any of its fitting.

If you have more silicone tubes, you can apply this sealant to all the accessories in your shower area to prevent leakage from all spots. You can cover all showerheads, faucets, and other bathroom fixtures with this material.

Step 10. Install the Shower Pan

Finally, you should install the standard shower pan at the right location. If any adhesive material is included in the pan box, then you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply its sealant.

Otherwise, you need to connect it with the drain hole and screw it down to its origin to fix the shower pan. Once you have installed all the fittings, you should test them by opening the main water supply line.

Make sure you get the right water pressure without any leakage from any of its fitting.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have some confusion about new shower cost or a walk-in tiled shower cost, then you should read the answers to the following basic queries to understand more about this guide:

Is it Cheaper to Build a Shower or Buy One?

It is better to buy a shower pan and fix it on your own instead of purchasing a built-in shower. Obviously, it’s cheaper to use the DIY approach to install a new shower pan and save your investment in other bathroom accessories.

How Much Does it Cost to Build Your Shower?

If you want to build your shower, it might cost you around $3,100 to $10,500. This price range depends on the fixtures you choose for your bathroom. If you want to know an exact figure with moderate accessories, it will cost you about $6600 to build a shower.

How Do You Build a Shower from Scratch?

Initially, you have to decide on the format of your shower pan. Now, you should lay it with the right tools and materials to prevent accidents. The surface should be smooth, and there should be no holes while fitting the new shower pan.

What Material Do I Need to Build a Shower?

To build a shower, you must require sand, cement board, tile, liquid waterproofing membrane, tile grout, and thin-set mortar. Before starting this process, you must arrange all these materials and the required tools.

Moreover, you need to mix the right quantity of these materials with the perfect ingredients. You also need to know the drying time of all these materials so that all the fittings hold their position firmly.

What Can I Use for Shower Walls?

Framing the shower wall is a great idea to protect your bathroom walls. You can install a cement board to prevent your walls from mold growth or any other problem.

As it will be a high moisture area of your bathroom in the future; so, you must consider the shower wall framing method as a priority.

Final Thoughts

There is no shortcut to this process! You must arrange the whole thing and build a complete shower with all the accessories mentioned in this guide. It’s a great idea to build a DIY walk-in shower, a luxurious fixture in any bathroom.

You must know the cost of installing a walk-in shower to stay within the available budget. You can call any area general contractor to build a shower, but once you start following this guide, the entire process will look so simple, even for any beginner DIYer.

Just make sure you frame the walls properly, install the tiles, and build a strong base for an ideal shower.