🚿 FL Shower Pan & Waterproofing Guide

Liner selection, slope calculator, ANSI 118.10 compliance & HVHZ requirements

FL BUILDING CODE COMPLIANT

Pan Selector

Slope Calc

FL Code

Quote

🔍 Select Your Shower Liner System

Installation Scenario Subfloor Type Drain Type Preference

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Clamping Ring

Traditional center drain

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Bonded Drain

Schluter / WEDI

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Linear Drain

Wall / end placement

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Trench / Slot

Custom / accessible

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📊 Liner System Comparison

PVC Liner (30 mil) STANDARD

• Most common in FL new construction
• Compatible with clamping ring drains
• Folds corners — requires no-crease technique
• Cost: $0.50–1.20/sq ft material
• Life: 20–30 years in FL conditions

PVC Liner (40 mil) UPGRADED

• Preferred for large showers (>36 sq ft)
• Better puncture resistance
• Code required for steam showers
• Cost: $1.00–2.00/sq ft material
• Life: 30–40 years

CPE Liner (40 mil) ALTERNATIVE

• Chlorinated polyethylene — better chemical resistance
• Does NOT bond to mortar bed like PVC
• Preferred by some FL inspectors for low-VOC projects
• Cost: $1.50–2.50/sq ft
• Life: 25–35 years

Hot Mop (4-ply felt) TRADITIONAL

• Applied hot at job site — no seams
• Requires licensed waterproofing contractor
• Common in South FL commercial applications
• Must allow 72-hr cure before tile
• Cost: $150–300 installed (pro only)
• Life: 15–25 years

Bonded Membrane (Schluter KERDI) BEST

• Direct-bond to substrate — no mortar bed required
• ANSI 118.10 compliant (highest standard)
• Compatible with large-format tile directly
• Requires Schluter-branded drain
• Cost: $2.50–5.00/sq ft material
• Life: 30–50 years

Tile-Ready Foam (WEDI / Kerdi-Board) PREMIUM

• Pre-sloped foam panels — no mortar bed pour
• Built-in waterproofing — tile directly on panel
• Fast installation vs. mud bed (1 day vs. 3+ days)
• ANSI 118.10, best for FL concrete slabs
• Cost: $5.00–12.00/sq ft system
• Life: Lifetime of tile installation

Liquid-Applied Membrane (Mapei AquaDefense / RedGard) HVHZ

• Brushed or rolled — 2–3 coats required
• Used over cement board for bonded tile
• NOT for mortar bed applications
• FL HVHZ: R7017 requires breathable WRB on exterior walls — check compatibility
• Cost: $1.00–3.00/sq ft material
• Life: 20–30 years

📐 Shower Floor Slope Calculator

Shower Width (inches)

Shower Length (inches)

Drain Position

Target Slope

Mortar Bed Method

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inch/foot slope (code min 1/4")

🪣 Mortar Bed Mixing Guide

Dry-Pack Mix Ratio (FL Standard):
5 parts clean sand : 1 part Portland cement (Type I or II)
Water: just enough to hold shape when squeezed — "sandcastle consistency"
Do NOT use pre-mixed mortar or thin-set for mortar bed

Min Mortar Bed Thickness (ANSI A108.01):
• At drain: 3/4" minimum over liner
• At curb / walls: 1-1/4" minimum
• Reinforcement: 15 lb. felt or metal lath when bed exceeds 1-1/4" in residential FL

Cure Time Before Tile (FL Heat & Humidity):
• Dry-pack bed: 24–72 hours (minimum 24 hrs before walking on)
• Tile installation: minimum 24 hrs after bed achieves 75% strength
• Do NOT let mortar bed dry too fast — cover with plastic in direct FL sun

Curb Height Requirements (FL):

• Standard shower curb: 2" minimum above finished shower floor (FBC R307.2)

• ADA / barrier-free: max 1/2" curb height for roll-in compliance (ADA 2010 §608.7)

• Steam shower curb: 9" minimum above shower floor (to retain steam)

• HVHZ (Miami-Dade / Broward): verify curb height with local AHJ — some coastal areas require 3" min for water intrusion protection

📋 FL Waterproofing Code Requirements

ANSI 118.10 — Bonded Waterproof Membranes

ANSI A118.10 is the gold standard for bonded waterproofing membranes in FL.

• Membrane must achieve 7-day water absorption ≤ 0.2%

• Elongation ≥ 50% at break (critical for FL thermal expansion cycles)

• Adhesive shear strength ≥ 50 psi after water immersion

• Products meeting ANSI A118.10: Schluter KERDI, Mapei AquaDefense, Laticrete Hydro Ban, RedGard, USG Durock Tile Membrane

ANSI A118.12 — Electrically Conductive Mortars (required for heated shower floors)

TCNA Handbook Method B-422 — Reference for bonded membrane over cement board with tile

Florida Building Code — Shower Waterproofing

FBC R307.2 / IPC 417.5:

• All shower receptors and compartments shall be waterproof

• Shower liner (PVC/CPE) shall extend at least 3 inches above the top of the rough curb

• Liner shall be turned up and secured at studs before cement board / backer installation

• Liner test: fill with water to 2" below top of rough curb for 24 hours — zero leakage (FBC R307.2.1)

Inspection Requirements (FBC):

• Pre-pour inspection required before mortar bed pour (liner, drain, liner dam)

• Rough plumbing inspection for drain rough-in

• Some FL counties require flood test inspection by inspector — not just contractor self-certification

HVHZ (High Velocity Hurricane Zone) Requirements

Applies to: Miami-Dade and Broward Counties (and portions of Palm Beach)

• FL Product Approval required for all waterproofing membranes in HVHZ exterior applications

• Interior shower waterproofing: standard ANSI 118.10 products acceptable in HVHZ

• Exterior shower / pool bath walls: must comply with FBC R7017 — weather-resistant barrier (WRB) required behind tile on exterior walls

• HVHZ: all cement board fasteners must be corrosion-resistant (304 SS minimum for shower interiors)

• Miami-Dade Product Control: search productcontrol.miamidade.gov for approved membranes

Steam Shower (HVHZ):

• HVHZ steam showers require vapor barrier on all walls AND ceiling (not just floor)

• Ceiling slope ≥ 1/2" per foot toward wall (prevent steam condensate drip)

• Generator must be FL Product-Approved; outdoor units need 140 mph wind rating

Pre-Pour Inspection Checklist

Liner laid flat — no folds or bunching at corners Corner fold must be in one direction; never fold liner on itself — creates leak point

Liner extends ≥ 3" above top of rough curb all around FBC R307.2 — measure from liner to top of rough lumber curb

Liner secured to studs at correct height (no staples below waterline) Liner dam — staples or fasteners only above the waterline level

Drain clamping ring bolts finger-tight — liner seated in weep holes Weep holes must be clear and unobstructed before mortar pour

Flood test complete — 2" water held for 24 hours, zero drop FBC R307.2.1 — plug drain, fill to 2" below curb top, mark water level, check after 24 hrs

Drain body level and at correct rough-in height for finished floor Account for mortar bed depth + tile + setting bed; drain collar should finish flush with tile surface

Cement board installed over liner (not under) on walls TCNA — cement board bottom edge holds liner against stud; board bottom should NOT sit in mortar bed

All cement board seams taped with alkali-resistant mesh + thinset Required before waterproofing membrane application — untaped seams = guaranteed future leak

Inspector notified for pre-pour sign-off (where required by county) Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough — verify with local building dept if pre-pour inspection required

Mortar bed mix verified (5:1 sand:Portland, dry-pack consistency) Do NOT use thin-set or pre-mix for mortar bed — wrong mix cracks under tile weight in FL conditions

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📞 Get a Shower Waterproofing Quote

Name Phone Email FL County Project Type Liner System Interest Shower Size (approx) Notes

📍 All 67 FL counties | Licensed FL Plumbing Contractor | FL Lic. #CFC1234567

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