Shower Receptor Study Guide

Overview Ceramic tile and natural stone are aesthetically pleasing and highly functional surfaces for shower surfaces. The tile shower receptor is the assembly that catches the water and directs it to the drain. The purpose of this certification is to validate the knowledge and skills required to successfully install a shower receptor. This includes the installation of a curb, sloped fill, shower pan membrane, drain assembly and testing of the shower receptor for waterproofing as well as a written knowledge test. This study guide was written to help you hone your knowledge and skills in preparation for the shower pan test. The standards and references used in this certification are: Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation Method, Field and Installation Requirements and Shower Receptors. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile A108 Installation Standards, Sections A108.01, A108.02, A108.1A and A108.11

Actual installation requirements may vary from job to job based on the plumbing code and standards adopted by the municipality where the shower is being installed. ACT testing time at the site: Setup, installation and cleanup. Time allowed - 4 hours. Testing materials will be provided. General Instructions Curb A shower curb is the short dam (up to 9 high) at the base of the entranceway to the shower that keeps water in the shower receptor. Curbs over 9 are considered a tub unit. For this installation the curb must be a mortar curb, fabricated from reinforced cement mortar over a concrete block or wood base. This and other types of curb construction can be found in the TCNA Handbook Blocking Check the Handbook method B415 about blocking between the studs to support the shower pan membrane. 1

Sloped Fill (Pre-slope) As stated in ANSI A108.01 Section 3.6, most plumbing codes require that floors of showers are sloped by means of a sloping sub-base to weep holes in clamp style drains. The required slope of the fill is per 12, per TCNA Handbook Installation Method B415. Shower Pan Membrane The shower pan membrane keeps water in the shower receptor so it can be directed to the drain by the sloped fill under the membrane. Proper installation of the membrane is critical to ensure a successful, long lasting shower installation and will prevent damage to adjacent building materials. ANSI A108.01 Section 3.6 lists the acceptable membranes, including factory manufactured sheet, which will be used in this installation. The standards for factory manufacture sheet membranes ASTM D4068 Standard Specification for Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) Sheeting for Concealed Water Containment Membrane and ASTM D4551 Standard Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Plastic Flexible Concealed Water Containment Membrane. The membrane should be turned up the walls a minimum of 3 above the shower curb per TCNA Handbook Installation Method B415. Membrane must completely wrap the curb and the jamb must be waterproofed to its outside edge a minimum of 3 above the curb. Curb and jamb waterproofing must be seamed together without breach to form a continuous barrier. Drain There are many types of drains available. The transition between the shower pan membrane and the drain assembly must be securely fastened. Before applying the sloped fill, cover the drain base opening to keep debris from entering the drain. Apply sloped fill over the subfloor but not over, the flange of the drain base. Take care not to let mortar harden on the surface of the flange or in the flange groove. NOTE: The sloped fill should be flush with the flange of the drain base. When the sloped fill has cured, install the shower pan membrane according to the manufacturers instructions. Carefully cut out the shower pan membrane in the center of the drain base opening. Cut around the bolt holes on the drain base to allow for insertion of the bolts. NOTE: Cut outs should be made as minimally as possible around bolt holes; just enough to start the bolts. Screw the clamping ring bolts into the bolt holes approximately 2-3 threads deep. Apply manufacturers recommended sealant between the top of the drain body and the underside of the membrane. Place clamping
Typical shower pan membrane installation

ring over the bolts and twist into place making sure the pan liner remains flush to the flange. The clamping ring and flange are designed to mate together to form the seal with the pan liner. Finish installing shower pan membrane. Flood Test Test the pan liner by temporarily plugging the drain pipe and filling the shower floor with water to the prescribed level. TCNA Handbook Installation Method B415 requires testing of the shower pan membrane for leaks before commencing the tilework (e.g. ASTM D5957-98 [2013] Standard Guide for Flood Testing of Horizontal Waterproofing Installations). This is to ensure there are no leaks and to protect the installing contractor. Flood test in progress

Once successfully tested and approved by the local code enforcement official, drain the water by removing the test plug. NOTE: Make sure the drain is connected to the plumbing system before releasing water. Screw the drain collar, which contains the strainer of the drain body, into the clamping collar to the desired height.

Walls Shower wall framing and backer board requirements for this installation are listed in TCNA Handbook Installation Method B415 and ANSI A108.11 Sections 4.0 through 4.3. NOTE: Wood studs must be dry and well braced with a minimum depth of 3 . Metal studs must be well braced, 20 gauge (0.033) or heavier with a minimum depth of 3 for residential applications or 3 5/8 for commercial applications. When the installation of a vapor retarder membrane is required, the material requirements are listed in ANSI A108.02 Section 3.8. The membrane behind the backer board must lap over the shower pan membrane. If the optional surface membrane is applied, it is generally recommended to install the membrane continuously at least to the height of the shower head. TCNA Handbook Installation Methods in the Shower Receptor section indicate how the wall backer board should be installed. For example:

Fiber-cement backer board requires a gap between the board and the mortar bed per Handbook detail B415. Vapor retarding membrane must follow local code. Backer board manufacturer fastening and seaming recommendations must be followed. Fiber-reinforced water resistant gypsum backer board and coated glass mat water resistant gypsum backer board require a gap and sealant between the board and the mortar bed.

When selecting a particular installation method be aware of specialized limitations, options, requirements and notes. Mortar Bed Install a uniform thickness of mortar per ANSI A108.1A Section 2.3.6, or consistent with local plumbing code. Before the application of the mortar bed place some pea gravel or other weep protection over the weep holes as shown in TCNA Installation Methods to ensure proper draining and minimize saturation of the mortar bed and grout discoloration. Reinforced mortar bed requirements are listed in ANSI A108.1A (Section 2.3) Mortar and special requirements for shower receptors, Section 5.3 for mortar bed application requirements and A108.1B. These sections provide information on mix ratios, acceptable materials such as sand, cement, lime and mortar. The ratio of cement to damp sand for a shower receptor mortar bed mix is listed in this section. The requirements for the reinforcing wire fabric are listed in ANSI A108.02 Section 3.7. In the past, TCNA Handbook and ANSI Specifications required wire-reinforced mortar beds for shower installations. However, the 2013 ANSI Specifications have changed this requirement under A108.1A.2.3. Check the current specification. Note All horizontal surfaces, for example shower seats, seals, curbs, etc., must slope toward the drain or other surface sloped toward drain. When present, waterproofing also must be sloped.