Rebuilding a Tile Shower

Rebuilding a tile shower is not a project for an amateur craftsman to tackle without first researching how to properly construct the shower prior to applying the tile. Contrary to popular belief, the tile and grout play a very minor role in waterproofing a shower. In essence a properly constructed shower should function to protect the house from water damage whether or not the tile is ever applied with the tile serving a largely aesthetic function. A shower should have several components that must be properly installed/applied for the shower to be effectively "waterproof." Among these components are a prefabricated shower pan (or a tub) or a flexible shower pan liner, a shower drain that is appropriate for the liner/pan, mold resistant cement based backer board for the walls, a very high quality waterproof caulking and a brush on waterproofing membrane. With the realization that household mold is a major factor affecting indoor air quality, the days of simply placing tile onto green sheetrock are over. The general process of constructing a shower, which we will discuss further in an upcoming "How To" video is as follows: 1) Remove all of the old shower tile, sheetrock etc., 2) Verify or install the proper drain, 3) Install the shower pan/liner, 4) Install the backerboard,  5) Seal all corners with high-quality caulking or manufacturer recommended sealant, 6) Apply 2 or more coats of a high quality waterproofing membrane,  7) Apply the tile with a high quality cement based thinset, 8) Grout the tile, and 9) Seal the grout. Watch for this process in the "How-To Videos" section of HomebuiltHowTo.com