Making my basement shower floor watertight.

[dtrobert]

Hi,
I am trying to repair a basement tile shower that had previously leaked (old house). It seems that there was never a membrane in the floor to keep the water from leaking out and into the framing.

This time around, I want to do it correct but thought that might entail using a plastic membrane and a new clamping drain which means tearing up some concrete to get the old drain out.

As an alternative, would it be possible to just build up concrete walls (like 6" high, more like curbs) around the base of the shower and leave the drain as is?

I would likely need to put some sort of concrete sealer down before my tile. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Pilot Dane]

I've always been curious if spray-in truck bed liner would be good for sealing up a leaking shower...

If you decide to build a new shower pan on top of the old you should still put in a proper membrane with a clamping drain. I'm not sure what would be the best way to attach the new drain to the old. If the drain clogs water could be forced out any weak joint, possibly between the old and new shower layers.

[dtrobert]

Yes, I realize that using the clamping drain is the 'correct' way to go but I'm not interested at this point in tearing up my floor as would be required.

My idea is to create the concrete box, lay down a sealer that is quick thick (like a paste) which essentially becomes a membrane all the way up to the existing drain. I might then paint over the sealer or even leave it as is.

Initially I thought I would tile over the sealer but there's really little point except for aesthetics provided I have sufficient traction.

This way if I later discover a leak, I can readily seal it up with minimal effort. I can also eventually put in this clamping drain without disturbing my tiled walls.

I've spoken with many plumbers on this topic but still have a hard time seeing how likely water would leak out through this sealer, and into my room; especially since there's a slope to the drain. If water happened to leak around my drain I'm not sure I really care since it's the foundation and leads into the ground.

Thanks

[majakdragon]

I can see YOUR thinking on the matter but consider that if it leaks to the foundation, as you said, and then to the ground, it will eventually erode the foundation and cause a void. Just one more thing to think about.

[dtrobert]

Sure, I suppose for a large amount of water over a long period of time there 'could' be foundation issues but we're talking a lot of water for a shower in a guest room. I would have to have it running 24x7. My ground sprinklers add more water to the ground in one session than this shower would for a year.

Besides, any leak that occurrs can be patched right away with some additional sealer or even cement if necessary without pulling up any tile.