Hi, I'm a homeowner who needs technical information so I can talk intelligently to a contractor.

After 17 years, my built in ceramic tile shower over durock failed, and I demolished everything in the shower back to the studs. Some questions:
1. the shower floor is concrete over a rubber membrane. I want to put another membrane over the concrete and then another layer of concrete rather than remove the concrete. is this OK? If I raise the floor, how much? and is there an easy way to raise the floor drain? It was cemented into place and I think I have to chisel it out and put a new drain in.
2. water wicked out of the shower, past the sill, :rolleyes: and onto the bathroom floor. the floor is 1x6 pine underlay, then oak hardwood strip flooring, then 1/4 inch playoood, then mortar and then tile. the tile appears fine except near the shower, where the 1/4 inch plywood is rotted out. I'd like to keep the tiles, and wonder what I can do about the rotted plywood? Can I use a levelling compound and then some redgard, or is there a better way?

thanks for the reply, in advance.