How to Make a Concrete Shower Base?

Benefits of a concrete shower base

A concrete shower base is a substructure designed beneath the shower floor made of cement and mortar. It is the perfect piece for a walk-in shower. The shower base is anti-slip, helping anyone enjoy the shower. A good-quality shower base is stain—and water-resistant. This is crucial as spills are prevalent in that area. The sealant acts as a protective layer, preventing the water from seeing beneath the surface.

The benefit of having a shower base is its durability. It involves anti-rot materials, thus preventing corrosion and rust. The concrete shower base proves beneficial in many ways. It does not succumb to vermin. Sometimes, the GFRC or Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete is added to it to ensure an extra level of durability.

Concrete floors can be cleaned easily, and that is yet another positive for it. Planning and preparation using materials that add a layer to prevent water from seeping inside the concrete floor can be achieved, thus increasing the life span of the shower base.

Determining the Size and Shape of the Concrete Shower Base

Determining the size and shape of the concrete shower base is technical and involves certain aspects like the shower dimensions, drain location, people using the shower, and the existence of a curb. Having perfect measurements of the length and width of the shower space is essential to have a proper shower base.

For a personalized base, the distance from the back wall to the entrance and the opening width is necessary. It is also vital to decide the drain location and the type of drain to determine the size and shape. A linear drain at the entrance and a square drain is preferred for curb less showers.

The size and shape also depend on the people using it. For example, if aged people or children use the bathroom, a larger base would perform better.  A formwork must be constructed for this.

Building Formwork and its Purpose

Formwork is a structure that can be temporary or permanent. It provides support to concrete to form its desired shape. It is also called shuttering or centering. Apart from that, it serves other purposes, like providing platforms for scaffolding and time for the fresh concrete to harden up in a particular shape.

Formwork makes customization easy in terms of shapes and designs. Formwork provides a better finish to the concrete surface and enhances the speed of construction along with cutting down the cost.

Formwork can be made of different materials like steel and also wood. It should withstand the pressure of the concrete when it is poured into the mold. Formwork should be:

• Strong enough to withstand loads
• Retain shape with props and braces
• Be reusable
• Be light in weight
• Possess leak-proof joints
• Not harm the concrete if it is removed
• Not distort

Making a concrete formwork is not easy. It requires considering all the points mentioned and then following specific guidelines to be built. The guidelines are as follows:

• Choosing the appropriate material- The material used to build formwork should be strong enough to hold the poured concrete mixture. Wood, steel, foam, and plastic are some popular alternatives. Wooden formwork is most common due to its easy availability and affordability, while steel formwork is required for large-scale construction projects. Foam or plastic formwork is used for unusual and unique forms.
• Measure and mark- It is significant to measure and mark the area on which concrete will be poured. Marking ensures proper alignment of the formwork with the intended structure. Using a tape and squares ensures precise measurements when measuring the area.
• Build the formwork- After marking and taking measurements of the area, it is time to cut and build the formwork in the desired shape and size. Supporting the sides and bottom with pins and stakes is mandatory otherwise it might come off. If there is a large formwork for a bigger structure, reinforcing it with additional braces is also mandatory.

Drainage System

The drain is sited amid the shower floor. There must be a proper slope leading to the drain so that water does not accumulate at the shower base. A square drain opening can drain out all the water coming from different sides of the bathroom. Hence, serves a better purpose than a round one. You can also have a linear drain placed all over the floor that gently slopes towards the drain preventing funneling and decreasing the chance of water pooling.

Making the Concrete and Curing It

Use 1-part cement to 5 parts soft sand or 1-part cement to 4 parts beach sand with a small amount of water to prepare a concrete mix for the shower base, Mix the ingredients in a bucket or on a smooth, hard surface. Safeguard your hands and eyes from the mix. Pouring the concrete mixture into the formwork is not easy. But, it must be done carefully. Curing must be done when the concrete is still wet. Smoothing the surface is done with a trowel so that the surface becomes even. After all this, the surface is left to harden enough.

Waterproofing and Tiling the Shower Base

It is crucial to waterproof the shower base because there is always water on it that can erode the concrete. To waterproof the shower base, a cementitious board painted with rubber membranes can be installed. Roughing up the surface a little is also for the anti-slip feature. If you use a dry pack of mortar, then the membrane can be applied over the pack directly.

Adding an extra tile layer on top of the existing layer can act as waterproofing. Grouting and sealing the shower base prevents waterproofing. It saves the surface from being eroded. However, the grout must be cured before applying the sealer.

Finally, inspect the area after all the work is over and clean it up to be used for all.

Mitchell Moss

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