Shower remodel - Need opinion

[CPA]

So, I'm sloooooowly remodeling my master shower. It was a glassed-in, walk-in separate unit from the tub. I had to remodel due to water seepage through the grout and tile and molding all of the supporting structure. It was bad enough that ants had starting nesting in the rotting wood.

As part of the remodel, I have moved the shower head to a new wall, and changed the shower head to a rain forest head, installed a remote-controlled (with temperature control) valve and am now constructing the cement based shower pad.

Here's my issue, the previous shower had a 3 inch curb forming the shower base. Basically, you step over the curb when you walk into the shower. One of the things I noticed is that no matter how much you tried to prevent it, mold/algae would form where the shower floor met the curb. This is because it's a grout line and grout soaks in water (yes, I sealed it, more than once).

So, I want to eliminate that issue by eliminating the curb. Essentially, the pad will be raised off the floor, but it will have no curb. You walk up onto the shower floor, not over a curb. Thing is, I haven't seen this style before and wondering if there's a reason builders don't put it in. Is the curb essential with the knowledge I'm using rainforest shower head? The pad should be large enough to mitigate any splash, as I'm not sure I want to install glass walls/door yet. I am looking at an open-concept, step-up shower pad. Size is about 4.5 feet x 5 feet.

 

[Sluggo]

The curb is there to allow the shower to hold water if the drain system gets stopped up, or the sewer backs up.

I would leave it, or sink the shower floor below the bath floor level so it hold water without a curb.

One method to "kind of" get rid of the grout line is to lay the shower floor first, and let the wall tile sit on top of the floor tile. It's not a perfect solution, but its better than the grout line.

 

[CPA]

The curb is there to allow the shower to hold water if the drain system gets stopped up, or the sewer backs up.

I would leave it, or sink the shower floor below the bath floor level so it hold water without a curb.

One method to "kind of" get rid of the grout line is to lay the shower floor first, and let the wall tile sit on top of the floor tile. It's not a perfect solution, but its better than the grout line.

Ah, crap, that makes sense and something I didn't think of. I have a septic system, and have had it back up once (once in ten years isn't that bad, I suppose).

Can't do your suggestion because it's a cement foundation.

 

[alkemyst]

There are some bathrooms were there is not even a shower surround. If your floor outside the shower can stand up to water, then the curb is not needed, but you risk water going outside the bathroom borders.

 

[Pheran]

You might want to consider a pre-molded shower base. We redid our tile shower several years ago and installed a nice one from Swanstone. That would get your bottom grout line up off the floor.

 

[momeNt]

Well, it's getting mildew because it's catching water because the grout is recessed at that change of plane. This is one of the reasons why people recommend 100% silicone caulk at changes of plane.

 

[DougK62]

I second the idea of using a pre-molded plastic/fiberglass base. It worked out really well for me and is easy maintenance.

Also, consider using epoxy grout instead of the old portland-based grout. It's stain-resistant, you don't have to seal it, and it's much easier to get a uniform color. I used it in my shower and it's wonderful. Downside is that it's expensive and is a bit harder to work with.

 

[CPA]

Also, consider using epoxy grout instead of the old portland-based grout. It's stain-resistant, you don't have to seal it, and it's much easier to get a uniform color. I used it in my shower and it's wonderful. Downside is that it's expensive and is a bit harder to work with.

Will consider thanks. Only issue is matching the grout lines to the existing grout on the rest of the floor - my bathroom has travertine tile and I did not remove it all.