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Build an Outdoor Shower Rock Solid goes alfresco with a decorative outdoor shower. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-204

(Continued from page 2)

Pouring the Concrete Pad for the Shower Floor

Dean and Derek are extending the old shower's concrete pad to fit the new measurements. Once the extension has dried, they will raise the entire pad's height so that it pitches away from the house for drainage.

(Note: If you're building a new shower--rather than covering over an old one--you can pour the concrete base at one time.)

To extend and raise the concrete pad, Dean and Derek build a wooden frame to the exact measurements of the new pad. They first decide on the dimensions of the pad, which will act as the base for both the floor tile and the glass blocks that form the shower enclosure.

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	Figure K
	Figure L

• Mark the outside dimensions on the side of the house.

• Dig out the depth of the concrete pad or extension using a shovel or pick, and then build the concrete form.

• Sink pressure treated wood into the ground where you marked your outside measurement and check that it's level and square with the house (figures K and L).

  Important: To allow for proper runoff of water once the shower is complete, you'll also want to tilt the boards so that they pitch away (about a quarter of a bubble) from the house.

• Whether you're pouring your entire concrete base now or just extending it, you should only build your forms once, so make sure they're right. Once the boards are exactly where you want them, support them on the outside with rebar.

• Add junk masonry, like broken cinderblocks or stones, in the trench between the forms and the existing base.
  
  
• Dean and Derek mix up pre-mix concrete. They add the dry concrete to a wheelbarrow or mudtub, slowly add water, and mix with a perforated mixing hoe until the consistency resembles peanut butter.

  Safety Alert: Always wear a mask when working with concrete mix.
  

  Figure M

• Pour the concrete into the forms and spread using a trowel. Work the concrete into the corners, make sure that it's flush with the top of the forms (figure M), and then smooth the surface with a trowel. If you're pouring a new base make sure it pitches away from the house. If you're extending a base, pour the extensions and let them set up overnight before coming back to raise the height of the old base.

• When raising the height of the base, double check to make sure that the form pitches away from the house, mix up the concrete and pout into the form. You can also add 1/2-inch rebar once you've poured the concrete to prevent frost heaves. Work the concrete with a trowel until it is smooth and has the desired pitch, then let it set up for several hours.
  
  
  

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  RELATED PROJECTS: Outdoor Waterfall: Design and Excavation Outdoor Waterfall: Finishing Pond and Creating Stream Outdoor Waterfall: Finishing Up Tub Deck and Shower Wall Installation, Setting Shower Pan Shower Tiling Installing a Multi-Head Shower: Prep Work, Remove Old Showerhead and Replace Tile Install a New Showerhead Replacing a Showerhead

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Build an Outdoor Shower