How to float a shower curb after pan installation - Mortar

When I build a custom shower I also build my pans and shower curbs custom. I install the pre-pitch, liner and shower pan. But before the pan gets floated I add wire mesh over the curb and liner so the pan locks in the mesh. Then I am ready to float the curb with Mortar. I use two finishing trowels to create a fine edge. You could get away with using one trowel but I find that to be a bit more time consuming.
You can follow my other channel called XC Ben for more content about my mountain biking adventures.
/ xcben
#buildingwithben #makingitlookeasy

[@undertharock]

Best floating curb video I've seen on KZbin so far. I love how you embed the mesh into the shower pan. Thank you so much, now I can move on from where I am with major confidence.

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thank you very much. I was actually taught this method by an extreme perfectionist and I think I owe it to him for how I work now. Hope it worked out for ya.

[@joseucoelho1]

Yes this is the best way to do it!! I have an old tile install (before youtube) black and decker book that shows this method also.

[@undertharock]

@@buildingwithben5637 it worked well for me, Thanks again!

[@buildingwithben5637]

@@joseucoelho1 glad my friend learned the proper method.

[@jacobcathcart1473]

I'm right in the middle of doing my curb and didn't like other methods and was searching for a better/best way. Thank you this is the best way to tile a curb in my opinion so far I've seen.

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thank you so much! I was tought by someone else. I agree though. Best method when building a mortar pan curb

[@ef2967]

Here is something you can try. Cut a piece of Melamine to the size width you want for the dam, over pack the top with mortar then pound the Melamine down to the height you want and level it. Take a trowel to the oozing edges while using the edge of the Melamine as a guide.

[@hbe770]

That's a five Star Thumb's Up !!!!!!!!! Best curb video i have seen yet.

[@Apexjasonmorganllc]

Good on you for not running screws through the liner. I only use mud curbs.

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thank you

[@bryan2127]

Nice job. I have seen many curb vids and guys screwing into the liner. I love your backer on the outside of curb and how you have the wire down into your shower pan. Also, nice thinking on setting your mosaic line before floating the curb, in order to get the design perfect. I will use some of you ideas:)

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thanks man! I really appreciate that. I was taught the back board on the outside method with lathe into the pan. The forming of the mortar I came up with.

[@michaelcrossman6951]

finally someone got it right

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thank you for noticing

[@Rob-bc4yu]

very good video, and after watching many curb and pan videos I have to say this curb method looks like it should stand the test of time. Keep seeing a lot of curb failure examples but the idea of the wire mesh just makes good sense to me. thx

[@buildingwithben5637]

Hey, I appreciate it, Rob. I didn't come up with this method. My mentor taught me this. I am happy that I was able to share it. Thanks!

[@mr1mansho]

I keep hearing that there should be a gap between the mortar of the curb and the shower pan to prevent water from wicking out of the pan onto the curb and outside of the shower. Is this necessary?

[@jeffdana9402]

Great vid! No mortar on the outside of the curb? Or is that added later? Can I place 1/2 - 3/4" of mortar on the inside of the curb to match up with cement board / tile install? Thx, man!

[@buildingwithben5637]

Hey Jeff. The outside of the curb is using a cement board like hardibacker. You can see it sticking up an inch and a half up above the liner curb. The reason is that you can screw into the outside of the curb. Not on the inside. That's why you float mortar on the inside and on the top. You want to put at least an inch of mortar on the inside.

[@svetlanashchukina1793]

How wide is this curb finished with tiles?

[@588158]

good job; very neat also!

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thank you very much!

[@seattlejayde]

What is the outside layer of the curb? Cement board? You did not address that

[@buildingwithben5637]

I do apologize. It is a cement board. I used denseshield for this job.

[@eekay3646]

I have a square drain just like that. When you screw it in, that's final huh? In other words, after it's screwed in, you cannot unscrew it (after the tiles are set), right?

[@buildingwithben5637]

You could if you chipped out the tile around the drain and then the mortar around the drain body.

[@jasonc2785]

Thank you for this video! I'm almost ready to float the pan and curb in my shower and you covered some details that I haven't seen in other videos, so thank you! One question - what is the cement mix you use for the curb? I'm using Mapei's 4-1 mix for the pan, but I've read that you shouldn't use the same mix for the curb because the dry-pack used for the pan is too dry for the curb. Do I need a different product for the curb, or just a different water ratio? I also appreciated your other points of marking the curb thickness to align with the tile, and showing how to use 2 trowels for a crisp corner. Thanks again! :)

[@XCBen]

Hey Jason. I appreciate the feedback! Yes, the curb requires a different ratio of water to mix. I use the same concrete mix for the pan and curb, just different ratio of water. The mortar mix I use is Amerimix Type - M or Type - S. I mix it stuff enough to form into side as I am doing in the video. Hope that helps!

[@buildingwithben5637]

Oh, lol, my bad Jason. I replied with my other KZbin channel. But that's the right answer. Have a good one.

[@jasonc2785]

@@buildingwithben5637 Too funny! I'm actually glad you did because MTB is just about my only other hobby. Now I'll have to follow you on both channels. ;) Thanks for the reply.

[@buildingwithben5637]

Haha, it was meant to be then. Noice!

[@ShaneHolly]

Wait did you not use mesh fabric and red-guard on the all changes of plane on the curb? Floor to curb , curb to walls etc.?

[@buildingwithben5637]

Not with this method, no.

[@georgiaman8262]

Very helpful video. I have a concrete curb so how do I secure the mesh to outside edge of curb? Thanks

[@buildingwithben5637]

Well if its concrete I suppose tapcons or some type of concrete fastener with washers. I usually remove the old curb and build a new one out of pressure treated 2x4's. Then I fold my liner and mesh over that. Now only need to fasten the mesh with drywall screws or any coarse wood screws.

[@buttercup3094]

Float the curb first or the pan first? I have seen guys do it both ways. Your approach of float curb after you float the pan, so the pan holds the mesh in place makes sense. Any thoughts on a formed concrete curb, versus brick, versus pressure treated lumber, versus stacked 2 x4's? Traditional tile curbs are huge, in part I am guessing because of a thick layer of mud to keep it dry since no waterproof membrane existed before the 1980's (I think). Can I make my tile curb the code minimum height and still use tile? Again I like the idea of floating the curb after the pan, so you have an accurate measure of the the height of the curb. One more question - does the no nail cement board over the curb method hold up?

[@jvon0311]

Great video! Clarification. The curb is 2x4s(?), liner, wire, outside cement board, top and inside mortar correct?

[@buildingwithben5637]

Correct, except I do it with 2x3s, not 2x4s

[@LMNMODE]

The ending 😂. Was the mud bed done before the curb?

[@buildingwithben5637]

Well the curb was formed with 2x4s and liner over that. Then I added the mesh and built the pan to keep the mesh in place

[@LMNMODE]

Thanks well done.

[@SlippyDude]

Hi there. I've been looking everywhere to find out the specific type of mix to use for shower curbs. What do you use? I've read that guys who like to mix it themselves do a "wet mud" as opposed to "deck mud"... apparently you still do a 1 part portland cement to 4-5 sand and then add a 1/2-1 part hydrated lime for the wet mud. Then, I also read some guys like to use stucco mix instead. I've heard the Quikrete "Mortar Mix" also being suggested. You and the Tile Coach guy Isaac on KZbin are the only ones I've seen do curbs correctly on here so I'd really like to know what mix you're using. Thanks!

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thanks for the compliment. The mix I am using is Amerimix Type S or Type M. Mixed up in a nice consistency that keeps shape. Hope that helps. Issac is the man. Thanks for watching.

[@SlippyDude]

@@buildingwithben5637 Awesome! Looks like they carry them at my local Lowes. Thanks for the quick response man!

[@buildingwithben5637]

You got it! Good luck!

[@cryptocomplete]

@@buildingwithben5637 Ben, do you also add lime to your curb mix as @slipperyDude mentioned? I am about to float my first curb and I want to be sure I am doing everything right. P.S. I love your videos. You do a great job of explaining your process.

[@derekhindman8442]

U say concrete several times, you mean mortar type s correct? Looks like it

[@buildingwithben5637]

You're right. My bad. Type S or Type M.

[@randyrey4826]

How do you prevent the sharp edges of the mesh from piercing the liner? I’ve heard that some folks tape that edge that you buried in mortar. Not sure if that has any negative impact. Kindly advise. Nice work.

[@buildingwithben5637]

The liner is very thick. I don't cut that side of the mesh. Its the factory side. Now the left and ride side that fold over the curb are kind of sharp so I cut the sharp pointers out. But if you are careful and position it slowly, you should be able to avoid puncturing the liner. Good luck and thank you!

[@buildingwithben5637]

Did you get it?

[@marcopoulin1897]

Thats gone fail for sure nothing stick on liner membrane old shit work use shluter system

[@svetlanashchukina1793]

How wide is this curb when it is finished with tiles?

[@buildingwithben5637]

5.5 inches

[@vital4ik]

Great job, What is the thickness of top layer ?

[@buildingwithben5637]

About 3/4 inch. Thank you

[@hereticxxx9317]

Can't embedded denseshield or use it on a curb

[@buildingwithben5637]

Densehield is sitting on the pan not embedded. Also, denseshield is on the outside of curb. I get what you're saying though.

[@patrickingram7660]

What type of concrete are you using for this?

[@patrickingram7660]

Never mind i see this was answers in another comment

[@buildingwithben5637]

Glad it worked out

[@emmanuelespinoza8950]

what happens if put my lath after floating shower mud?

[@buildingwithben5637]

Why would you want to do that? You can't tile on to it.

[@buildingwithben5637]

Oh, I just realized what you meant. If you put the lathe after the shower pan install the lathe doesn't secure to anything. Thats why you do the lathe afterwards. Keeps the lathe from moving around.

[@XtraCandor]

Great video Ben! I'm wondering what the minimum thickness of the mud should be. Yours appears to be around 1 inch; is that the minimum desired thickness?

[@buildingwithben5637]

I believe it is 1 inch sir. Depends on the mortar.

[@angelo-001]

Thanks for the vid! After floating it in, do you tile on top? Have you ever heard of anyone leaving it exposed concrete and just sealing it off?

[@buildingwithben5637]

I get a marble top put on top and tile on the sides. Obviously after tiling the shower floor. No, I have never heard of someone leaving it not tiled. I guess it could be done. If that's the look you desire.

[@buildingwithben5637]

Thank you for the compliment.

[@angelo-001]

@@buildingwithben5637 Thank you!

[@buildingwithben5637]

No problem! Be well!

[@AK-zz8ju]

You dont think the mesh will rip the liner

[@buildingwithben5637]

Nope. Been doing it like this for 7 years. Just don't stab it into the liner.

[@TeslaBoy123]

I have personal opinion why people like install a bench inside shower area i think a shower is for take shower not to seating there like a living room talking on fhone or social media all day 🤷‍♂️

[@buildingwithben5637]

Totally. I tried talking them out of it. Like how when these get put in and it never gets used. Therfore a waste of space

[@TeslaBoy123]

@@buildingwithben5637 igree is a lot space wasted and extra labor time and materials involved

[@overholser31233]

If you're like my wife, she's having me install a small corner bench just so she has something to step on when shaving her legs.

[@svetlanashchukina1793]

Can I use mortar N for this curb?

[@buildingwithben5637]

Sure

[@ChristopherHayes-rh7fk]

Who still does this?

[@buildingwithben5637]

I definitely don't anymore. Haha

[@marcopoulin1897]

waste of time this old tecknic dansheild then redgard

[@buildingwithben5637]

Yes, this was years ago. I am a schluter guy now.

[@JoseAguilar-dv2nd]

Exelente .amigo

[@buildingwithben5637]

Gracias