Absolutely, you can either buy a sloping kit from a tile distributor or even home depot or depending on your skills you may be able to create the slope yourself with concrete thinset (I use floor leveler mixed to a semi stiff but pliable consistency.
David,
The pre-slope could be done under the liner or on top. Depends on who’s laying the tile and their preference honestly. We’ve done pre-slope under the liner OR at the point of adding mortar or mud pack.
I would definitely say no on the walls but yes, slightly on the base so the water doesn’t lay.
Thanks, James
The best method is to frame structural underneath as normal flooring.
Then apply liner (Bladder, thick rubber material) and seal (tar like substance) at any seams. Typically this “bladder” runs about 12" up the walls underneath the durarock.
The tilers like to pour their own mud base (concrete like product) as they can slope very easily.
Then they tile.
Notes:
- Be sure that plumber raises drain up to required height (provided by tilers).
- Also many Tile Co’s will guarantee this from EVER leaking if they are using top products and are a good company themselves.
Are you familiar with Wedi brand shower pans and wall panels?
If not, you may want to check them out.
As a contractor I try to look for ways to decrease liability and increase productivity. In the case of a tiled shower I usually go with a prefabricated pan as they are less likely to leak and IF they do the liability would fall on the pan manufacturer. Another reason is that the time spent in labor and materials would potentially equate to the cost of a prefabricated pan not to mention the slope is already there so it takes the guess work out of the equation.
Yes, In fact it is code in many areas including mine where inspectors will fail the project if there is no pre slope.
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