Can I get the appropriate amount of fall required for a shower floor from the tile adhesive?

Not if you are using thin bed adhesive. You want a positive slope to the drain to encourage a flow otherwise it will spread all over the shop when trying to get rid of the quantity of water you would use when having a shower. You need to overcome natural surface tension/friction etc which can stop the water draining away, but you don't want it so steep it is difficult to stand on. Bear in mind it is very difficult to get slopes accurate so you need some tolerance to make sure you end up with a reasonable slope.





Use an expoxy type screed to create the fall and feather down to the outlet. A typical slope would be something like 1mm in every 100mm, so across a shower tray typically this would be about 10mm, but slightly steeper wouldn't hurt up to 1 in 60. A bund (slight upstand) at the door to the bathroom is a good idea and non slip tiles even better. BTW you should use 'Tilesafe' or other liner under the tiles.





Seen installations go wrong too many times.Can I get the appropriate amount of fall required for a shower floor from the tile adhesive?
I tile every day of my life, and pick out validity in all 3 answers so far, though I think it a little harsh to suggest firing a contractor. Number 1 does offer a valid suggestion however, especially dependant on the substrate/shower pan, grading/slope. The smaller the tile, the easier it will be to work, and I'd be very selective in a mastic used, in any case.





I think one can assume that the ';FALL'; is likely a concave toward the drain, and using small enough tile might allow not being so inventive or math oriented in cutting/spacing of tiles that do butt to the drain.





The suggestion regarding DROP is valid, though one ';Should'; have a shower pan that isn't completely level in any case, toward the drain.





Steven Wolf


just my two ';sense';Can I get the appropriate amount of fall required for a shower floor from the tile adhesive?
Yes, but you have to be sure it's right. Your tile guy will know how to do it (if he doesn't, fire him and get someone who does). If you're going to do it yourself there are really good books out there that will tell/show you how. I suggest using smaller tiles for the shower floor (say nothing bigger than 3 X 3). It helps with the slope a lot.
You should attempt to get at least 1/8'; per foot but no more than a 1/4'; per foot. If you install the tiles too shallow you will have water puddling but if you steep it will be uncomfortable to stand on.
you can do anything , but i would recommend a couple of small timber wedges as well ,to avoid movment





hope this helps





Andy