ceramic shower floor repair

I have a ceramic tile floor in my shower. Some tiles came loose and when I took up the floor there is a sand bed underneath. I would like to know if I should replace the sand or just let it completely dry out.
mbarnish@mindspring.com

Hi Mike,

The "sand bed" is actually cement mortar. We call it deck mud or floor mud. It's just sand and portland cement.

If you take it out, you're going to have to put it back in. Additionally, you'll probably put holes in the shower pan liner underneath. I suggest that you let the thing dry out completely, which will take a couple of weeks, and then do your repair with thin set (dry set mortar, comes in a sack). You can do the repair when the mud bed is damp. You cannot do it when there is noticeable water.

John
http://www.johnbridge.com

Hi Mike;
I would do exactly as John says. If you take out the mud bed you are almost certain to put a hole in the liner.
I would make the repair with thinset while the mud is damp (no visible water) it make take a little longer for the thinset to dry but, that will make it a little stronger.And in my experience when you let a mud bed dry out completely it tends to become crumbly and sort of grainy from the sand.
Good Luck and Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1) www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com (http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com)