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There are hidden depths and other elements to a shower floor. There is a secret in tiling the floor in such a way that the water rests below the floor level. Generally it is the grout lines from where the water leaks even through some special kind of tiles. Plugging that leak is the main challenge in building a shower. It requires a piece that is called shower liner. Previously various types of materials were used as liners – copper, galvanized steel and also lead sheets. But the typical liner materials in vogue today are vinyl sheets – specially made for this purpose.
The tile floor is composed of many layers and the vinyl sheet is one. The liner checks passage of water on to the floor. All the components of the floor of the shower liner are laid in alignment with the vinyl sheet.
Secondly the base has to be sloped. The floors made from mortar work up from the bottom with a base that is of mud – it being the initial layer over the foundation of the sub-floor. It comprises of a mixture called deck-mud that is a combination of three substances. The first one angles down towards the drain. This sloping helps to navigate the water that has flowed thus far into the drain. Without a slope the water would stagnate and cause formation of moulds.
Thirdly the tile drains off at two levels – the lower one is laid below the floor level and catches the water from the inner layer. This way the water that is on the floor and the walls drain off even if it trickles into the floor. Thus only tile shower drains serve the purpose.
Fourth point is about mortar. Any type of floor mud will suffice and not just deck-mud. The mixture comprises of Portland-cement mixed with sand and water. This pack has to be made dry and packed into place. Being non-sticky it works well. Sticky mortar makes for difficult handling.
Fifthly the inner layer is placed over the bottom layer and is sealed off to the base of the lower drain. This union leads to a formation of a pool that holds the water and keeps it in place without overflowing to places where it should not go. Over this is another layer of mortar that functions as a tile base.
With the slope angled towards the drain is cured it becomes the perfect surface for the shower. Thus it requires layer by layer laying to make the perfect shower floor. After the base and the liner are fixed in place, the tiles are set in the same manner as is used to fashion an ordinary floor. Thus the most critical part of the operation is the fixing of the base and liner together with the drain and slope for building the waterproof shower.