However using a mud bed is usually a longer installation process than using pre constructed kits.
Pre slope bed vs sloped mud floor.
Using a trowel a 2 4 wood piece or even a level you can pack the deck mud up to the desired height all around the shower pan.
If you are using a preformed shower pan the manufacturer of the pan should provide instructions as to how thick the mortar bed needs to be.
The setting bed on top on the other hand must be consistently at least 1 1 4 to 1 1 2 thick everywhere follows the slope of the bottom layer and thus sloped.
The most common method for constructing a pre slope is with a mixed cement and sand deck mud that has a consistency that will allow it to be balled up in the palm in your hand.
Under that slope is the pvc liner which is on top of your preslope.
I try to make my pre sloped the proper thickness at the drain so it will be 1 1 2 at the walls.
If we make the pre incline 3 4 thick at the drain it requires to be a total of 1 1 2 inch thick at all your walls.
Deck mud is a leveling mortar designed for interior or exterior underlayment.
Deck mud is a mixture of washed graded sand and portland cement that conforms to astm c 144.
If you are going to start with a preslope here is the how to.
Your finished flooring after your liner and leading mud bed are set up requires to be 1 to 1 1 4 thick at the drain.
Finally a mud bed more easily allows for customization as opposed to a preform that must align with the existing shower and drain layout.
The overall thickness of the mortar depends on a variety of factors.
It is for all types of paver tile and marble installations on floors and counter tops.
Start with a solid clean and properly supported shower floor.
The perfect pitch stuff is not really your friend it leaves a weak spot in the mudbed.