Hey guys! I've been reading through this forum and have come to realize that I may not have the right ideas for doing my shower. But thankfully I'm here now and we are only at the Studs still.
Now the original plan was to use cement board with a shower pan membrane. My question is can the cement board be used as the backing all the way down to the floor in order to support the mortar bed, Anyways I have a few pics of where we are at right now and would really appreciate any help or advice/suggestions, I've spent over 3000 on the plumbing for the shower so I really want to do this right the first time. The tile is 12x12 honed/filled travertine, Glass block wall and glass block insert on end wall. will be adding a corner bench as well. Ceiling will be tile as well with rainfall shower. 3 body jets. So it seems I will have a lot of water running through it. Thanks so much for your input. Stan.

Framing looks good.Two observations: The curb,I find it too high with those cripple studs.Three 2x4's would do. The drain,I would put it in the centre so that the slope of the mortar bed will be more gradual while keeping the perimeter level.With the drain where it is the slope will be steeper there.Looks like it could get near the centre without notching another joist.

I would entertain the idea of using Schluter's Kerdi system here.The drain and the membrane.With this system there is less work to install the substrates...the mortar bed and the backerboard,less work for framing too...and the substrate will be completely waterproofed directly on its surface.

The traditional methods allow the substrates to get saturated.To build a shower using traditional methods by-the-book takes longer too.

A shower where the surface directly under the tile is protected by a membrane is a better shower.

www.schluter.com

I totally agree with Ron. With the money you've spent already, you should make sure you have the best substrate and shower system available. Kerdi is the way to go here.

http://www.schluter.com/4625.aspx

I just installed my first schluter shower system this last week. It was pretty easy. I am a novice with tile work and I had no real problems.

Of course I will see on Wednesday when I use the shower for the first time if I did it right.

Hi Stan,

Two observations: the joist that has been notched on the top to handle the trap arm for the shower drain and bored on the lower edge for the copper supply has been weakened considerably. I would investigate beefing up that joist before proceeding.

Also, the body spray loop ideally should have another set of Tee's in the midsection, ie: to make a "figure 8" style loop. This will improve flow through the three body sprays and equalize the pressure at the fixtures.

Nice work so far Stan .... and you've got some good advice from the guys here.

Suers ... you should send a photo of the finished work.

Hey! Thanks so much for the replies, I'm thinking Kerdi is the way I'm going to go. I've placed the drain in that position because it is in line with the ceiling watertile, the floor isn't nailed down around the drain yet, do you think I should still move it? Also was hoping to do a figure 8 loop for the wall jets but I couldn't find a 4 way coupler. I have a higher curb for two reasons (and I may be an idiot for thinking) there will be no shower door just a walk in and it worked out for the dimensions of the glass block. Well back to work, I'll post as we progress this week. Thanks again.

If your thinking Kerdi then you should be using the complete system including their drain.

Stan

You don't need a 4 way fitting...just cut in a Tee on each side of the body spray loop, and then connect those two new Tee's with a piece of pipe.

Also, is that 2" pipe running to the trap? That will be important, especially if your body spray system has a high output valve. Does that joist feel "springy" in the area where it was cut?

Randall is correct...you should have a Kerdi drain rather than that clamping drain.

Gotcha about the glass block on the curb.
It's going to be as high as the ceiling then?

I think it'd be a good idea to drive 3 1/2 " screws in the sole plates at the two shower walls and into the joist in question to consolidate that area.The plate at the curb and the opposing wall 3 ft over on the other side.I'm thinking the sole plates and the walls will strengthen that span of joist.