Preparation is the cornerstone of  a construction project and proper waterproofing a shower is a must!  For showers, waterproofing for your shower pan, recessed shampoo box, shower bench(s) and seat(s) is where the tile job begins.

Cement work is recommended for the walls and shower pan in order to create surfaces that are plumb, level, square and true. You can use backer board on the walls but it takes as much time to get the backer board plumb, square, true and waterproof as if you used cement. Some of the newer waterproof sheet liners for showers will work but in the end they’re a more expensive process to get right than a cement installation. For a steam shower using a waterproof/antifracture membrane over the cement base insures that your shower will be able to withstand the stress that steam adds to a shower environment.

Make sure the shower valve is at the correct depth with regards to the cement base and tile thickness. Place Nail Plates over any stud that has pipes and wires running through the stud.

Check out this video on the hot mop process:

In the examples below the Hot Mop was applied to the inside Cavity of the Sunken Tub, Wall Blocking, Spillway and Connecting Shower Pan.

Can you replace your leaking shower and keep your wainscot tile…Yes, look at the example below:

Demo of Existing Tile

Carrara Marble showre tieing in existing tile wainscot

Carrara Marble Shower Pan

Carrara Marble Shower Tile With Existing Shower Jamb Tiles

Ceramic Tile Shower Before