bathroom refresh/covering non-working shower

4 years ago

Hi all

We have a first floor walk in shower that is leaking underneath all the tile from a poorly placed shower pan. I hated this bathroom's style since we moved in 5 years ago and bc we are a small family, don't need to use the shower any time soon.

So, we decided on a bathroom refresh, removing the shower from any use until we can afford a gut job (that's at the bottom of our To DO list of priorities). Fast forward to a huge transformation, one that I am thrilled about how it turned out. (pics are before/afters)

Anyway, I am planning to tile over tile the floor. It's in great shape so no issues there but I am trying to to figure out how to deal with the shower drain. I know I could get an extender to raise the height of the drain but I am also wondering if there is a way to just cover it up in some way that won't affect the drain down the line. (Because I would love if it weren't visible).

Could I install a backer board over the whole "shower" area and then tile over that? Of course the shower tile slants towards the drain so the floor isn't totally level so wasn't sure if that would be an issue or not. If so, should i put some mortar under the backer board to secure it to the floor?

Ideas appreciated

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SweecTOR

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Wow, great bathroom renovation. You are really cool at it, and as for the tiles, there is a question of the unevenness of the floor and if it is really not smooth, then it will be very difficult for you to install it yourself. You will have to call specialists to level the floor for this, but nowadays it is not so expensive and they will do it quickly for you. Also, if you still decide to change the tiles in the bathroom showroom yourself, then you need to take care of its quality and don't forget to find a cool store with high-quality tiles, just don't save on it, please. Good luck to you!

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Comments (8)

catbuilder
4 years ago
Since you fast forwarded, does that mean you are wanting to fix the shower now? If so, tiling on top of what's there isn't going to fix the leak. If you're not fixing it now, why don't you just hang a curtain?
blubird
4 years ago
The bathroom appears to be only big enough for a powder room. Someone shoved in a shower where it doesnt belong and didn't fit, if the teeny-tiny wood vanity placement is any indication. Put a shower curtain up until youre ready to redo the bathroom properly.
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J. F.G.
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
@blubird yes I think that's what happened. I believe they needed a shower on the main floor for the lady who was elderly and could no longer climb the stairs. @catbuilder i know it won't fix the leak--only ripping the whole thing apart will do that. we aren't going to use the shower until that happens which is several years down the road. Right now I am just trying to make it a nicer looking bathroom until that happens. I took off the shower frame and plan to use the space for a nice storage piece--the bathroom feels So much bigger and more pleasant without anything there. So no need for a shower curtain bc it will just make it feel small again. Just trying to figure out this flooring issue.
Nancy in Mich
4 years ago
Since you are not going to use the shower, how about looking at the stick-on faux tile backsplashes that are available?
J. F.G.
Original Author
4 years ago
agreed @sweector. That is why i am trying to level it out with out doing permanent damage to the drain. Right now I am thinking cement backer board or plywood over the who shower area, leveled as needed and then tile over that.
HU-75440551
4 years ago
If you’re just using it for storage, what about those teak squares you can get off of Amazon? They’ll hide the drain…
J. F.G. thanked HU-75440551
J. F.G.
Original Author
4 years ago
Oh man that's a great idea. Unfortunately i just bought a ton of the tiles that i am not sure I can return. Wish I would have thought of that idea earlier!! Thanks for the thought!!