How to install Mud in a shower floor. Mortar bed

SUBSCRIBE Learn how to tile the right way
How to install mud in a shower pan for a tile shower stall. When installing a tile shower, whether it be ceramic, marble travertine or any other tile product, a mud base will be required. Mud also known as deck mud, is a mixture of sand and Portland cement mixed to a ratio that will create a solid foundation for the tile which will be installed on it. The deck mud is mixed with water to a dump consistency which will allow the deck mud to hold its shape when pressed into a ball. The mud must be pitcher towards the drain so that a slope of at least 1|4" per foot is achieved. The ratio of sand and Portland cement is usually 4:1 or 5:1. I usually use Mapei 4to1 but "Quikrete" sand topping mix, which as far as I know, has a ratio which is a little richer than needed, can be cut by adding some sand to make it more suitable for a shower pan. The method I employ to install my mud shower pan, is to create a level and flat perimeter around the base of the shower walls which is at the correct height in relation to the drain, and then fill the middle part of the shower pan screeding down to the drain with the proper pitch. The mud is shaped with a wooden trowel, steel trowel, level and other pieces of straight wood lengths cut to the required lengths. In this video I demonstrate the technique I use to install a shower mud pan base. There are other methods that can be used, but this is the way I have installed hundreds of shower bases.
All tile installed by Sal DiBlasi, Elite-tile Company, in the Boston North Shore area. This video contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you click on the product link. #tile #transformthetrade #howtotile #installingtile #howtoinstalltile #laticrete #mapei #Schlutersystems #diy #construction #ardex
Like and subscribe
🌲 Link Tree 🌲

☕ Buy me a coffee ☕
📷Camera Equipment 👇

👇 Some of my favorite Tools 👇
Grabo Pro Lifter
IQ 7" Dustless/Dry Cut Tile Saw IQ228

Thanks for watching

[FordFanatic]

I am in the process of completely building my basement from pretty much a dirt floor. We are installing a bathroom, laundry room, workshop and a bar. I plumbed all new drains and a sewage extractor. Just poured the cement floor last weekend. We are very close to building the shower and I have been watching your videos for years preparing for this next step. I am an automotive technician by trade, I have never done any of this before. I just wanted to thank you for the time and effort you’ve put into your videos. Sharing your many years of experience for anyone to see is very generous of you. It’s obvious you are passionate about what you do. When my bathroom is all done, I will have to make a point to make a video and send to you. Thanks again, Sal.

[myronsmith]

I love doing deck mud it's the only old school skill left in the modern tile business

[disabilitaspunyacara]

The art of tile repair that I deserve to copy, thank you

[antman]

I've only been tiling for a few years, and the general contractor I work for has always supplied us with Schluter foam pans (at least since I've worked with them). I really like the advantage of not having to level out the floor prior to making a mortar bed. This is the first time I've seen the process of making a mortar bed, and this is truly a satisfying process to watch. Thank you Sal so much for sharing this! You are truly a craftsman and a professional! 💪🏼🤙🏼

[ljc]

TRUE CRAFTSMANSHIP!!!
Decades of real full-time experience.

[TheDadofThem]

Thanks, Sal! I’m almost at a high enough confidence level to dive in now. 😂👍🏼

[EvanCarrollTheGreat]

10:25 They suggest not doing that. Quickrete Sand and Topping mix is itself 3.5:1 to 4:1. So the ratio is about the same. But the sand in the mix is much larger. And in a bag of general purpose sand by Quickrete you will have pebbles. I had a lot of problems with this.

[bmxbicycleracingusa]

Very very well done. Well described and instructed. You should be on this old house, you'd be perfect! Thank you

[JohnG]

Good tips! You don't need to tell us you are in Boston... we can tell haha. Great job!

[ozzyarmendariz]

This is a great video how to do the shower pan the right way, thank you so much SAL #1 fan here 🙂. ( this is exactly what I was looking for not fancy stuff here in my small town).

[davidsmith]

Thanks for another great video...and for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience!. 2 hours for you...probably 6 or 7 for me. Ha! But I plan to tile several areas of a house I’m building (pretty much by myself) and I’m confident in your experience and instruction! Thanks for posting!

[ryanern]

I can only imagine it took many installs before you could routinely work within that tight of a space without inadvertently crushing part of the perimeter with a boot.

[myronsmith]

Sorry Sal I get so into the video I forget to hit the like button. I'm on it now .Good vid

[joeoathkeepernuno]

Beautiful work brother, Tommorrow framing in shower wall for a friend.

[mikenice]

Just landed a job gotta do 3 of these will be watching this as I do them lol

[charleschambers]

Awesome, knowledgeable Information. Thanks Sal!

[sierragreen]

I like the technique of doing the perimeter mud first, but is there a risk of the perimeter mud starting to dry and not bonding properly to the mud added later?

[drewdroppings]

Did you put mortar over your shower curb as well? I have a wooden curb with a pan liner over top but I did not bring the mud from the pan over the curb to the floor.

[gattac]

Holly crap dude this is great explanation thank you!

[mikerebus]

Sal, great video. Helps so much.
Just one question, what do you do if the drain is not relatively center. Far wall is 5' away (1 1/4" slope) the near wall is only 15" (1/4" - 1/2" slope).