Author Topic: Poured Shower Pan Question  (Read 2036 times)

ShawnBL

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Poured Shower Pan Question
« on: February 06, 2016, 05:10:38 PM »
We're looking at installing a poured shower pan in our basement as illustrated in MMM's shower article http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/12/21/how-to-make-a-relatively-sweet-shower-cheap/.

My current floor in the bathroom has linoleum over concrete.  My question is - can I pour the concrete curb and shower pan directly over the linoleum, or do I have to rip out the lino and pour directly over the underlying concrete?  Given the age, I'm fairly certain the linoleum has asbestos in it, so if I can avoid removing it that would be preferable.

The linoleum seems to be completely glued to the concrete (not just the edges).  I don't see any bubbling and it feels solid, so my gut feel says that a 2"+ thick poured concrete pan sitting on top of it will be sufficiently solid.  But I'm not certain.  I've seen some suggestions to use mesh lath stapled to vinyl flooring to increase the bonding with concrete poured on top. Given that my existing lino is directly glued to concrete underneath though, I'm not sure I can easily fasten lath to it.

What would other forum members do in my situation?

deborah

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Re: Poured Shower Pan Question
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2016, 06:10:32 PM »
Your lino really is the same as the plywood he is using as a base, so you could leave it if it is as firmly attached as you say.

lthenderson

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Re: Poured Shower Pan Question
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2016, 02:22:15 PM »
I don't think I would pour a shower pan on top of linoleum just because I don't think that the concrete would adhere to the slick surface of the linoleum. I would wet the area and wear a respirator mask with asbestos grade filters and remove the linoleum in that area before pouring. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and fears of it get blown way out of proportion. It takes years of working around it daily to cause problems. According to the EPA, factory workers taking a daily dose of asbestos at the rate of 44 fibers per cubic centimeter are 2.8% more likely to get lung cancer. You can still work short periods of time with 2.5 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter without ANY protection and still be under the mandated limit set by the EPA.

 

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