Can I build a ceramic tile shower from the floor up in a mobile home

by May1432233

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Can it be done, and how? A video would help me out even more.

5 answers

D & K on Mar 17, 2015
It can be done although I don't know that I would recommend it. You'd almost certainly have to use a prefab shower pan simply because any flexing or settling in the mobile home would certainly crack any concrete "constructed in place" shower pan unless you could isolate and strengthen the subfloor. If water were to get through the concrete, and eventually through or around the liner you'd ultimately ruin the subfloor. The walls aren't a big deal. Remove the existing wall surface, install a 60mil shower liner to the studs, install concrete board over the top of that and tile over it. I don't have a video but you might search youtube for such.

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Kathy Munson on Mar 17, 2015
Yes you can. Use a Schluter shower kit. http://www.schluter.com/8_4_kerdi_shower_kit.aspx There are videos on the page as well. If you are unsure how to do it hire a professional tile installer. The biggest thing would be to make sure you follow instructions and have sturdy walls.

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- D & K on Mar 17, 2015
  @Kathy Munson I've used this product in homes built on pier and beam foundations and experienced first hand the flex and cracking that I previously described. Although it is a good product, it does have limitations.
  
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- Kathy Munson on Mar 17, 2015
  @D & K I work for a company that uses the Schluter products repeatedly. We have had no issues with the product as long as you have sturdy walls and reinforce things so that you remove the flex. I admit that I am not an architect. However, I DO understand the product that I suggested. The Schluter products do NOT use a "concrete constructed in place" shower pan. It is a preformed pan that you use for the construction of the shower pan with a special drain and waterproofing membrane. Since the waterproofing goes from the top of the tile all the way to the drain, there is no place for leaks to develop unless it is installed incorrectly. I know that the traditional poured concrete shower floors with a PVC pan liner that typically only is installed 1 foot up on the wall behind the tile can develop leaks. We have been tearing out traditionally constructed showers (some less than 3 years old) and replacing them without issues. I have been working with construction of ceramic showers since 1994.
  
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- D & K on Mar 17, 2015
  @Kathy Munson I agree they make a fine product. I continue to use them and have only twice had an issue being where there was substantial seasonal movement in a home. Maybe because of this I've become a little gun shy so to speak. In a situation where I know there is a good possibility of shift and with a greater chance of that in a mobile home, I look to use a prefab shower pan with curbs that I can "float" over the existing subfloor then construct my surround using a 60 mil PVC or a paint on water proofing membrane. Unfortunately the soil in this area is great for farming but lousy for building; high amount of organic clays, so not unlike buildings in earthquake zones, everything has to have a certain amount of flex or be allowed to float. If not it merely cracks and falls apart. Too often have I seen the very scenario you describe where waterproofing is taken no higher then a foot or so from the pan and lasting only a few years before additional problems begin. The sad part is many of the "contractors" doing this have been in business for years.
  
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Jaxon on Mar 18, 2015
Yes you can as long as the home won't be moved. The movement will end up busting it up some. Good luck!

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Trish Davenport on Mar 18, 2015
Of course you can. Installers use Cement board for starters and there is an outfit called Bath Fitters who did a fabulous job my bathroom. ♥

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May1432233 on Mar 18, 2015
I thank everyone for the advice when I am finished with my project I will send pics. Again thanks

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