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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 4)

	Figure R
	Figure S
	Figure T

Setting the Glass Blocks

• Spread a skim coat of thinset on the now-dry concrete pad to create a bonding layer between the concrete and the tile layers. It's not a bad idea to beef up the corners to keep water from sitting in them when the shower is functional.

• Begin setting glass blocks at the corners (figure R). Set them on a bed of white mortar and reinforcement bar (which is included with the blocks). Set the two corner blocks first level and plumb them individually and then against each other. Once these are set, set the adjacent blocks.

• To set blocks next to each other, butter the sides (creating a triangle of mortar) and squeeze the adjacent blocks together (figure S). Use the spacers included with the glass blocks to space the vertical and horizontal joints. After the blocks have set up, snap off the ends of the spacers and cover any remaining plastic with mortar.

• While setting the blocks, always check for level and plumb (figure T), and leave space if you plan on including a door in your shower.

• If you plan on setting more than two rows of freestanding blocks at a time, check with the manufacturer. You might need to set up temporary scaffolding (such as a couple of 2x4s set up vertically) to both provide support and create a plumb line.

• Once done, let the glass blocks set up to gain strength before laying the flat river rock tile for the shower floor.
  

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  	Figure U
  	Figure V
  	Figure W

• Start setting in the corner and work out in sections (figure U). Apply a 3/8 inch layer of thinset on top of the thinset skim coat using the grooved end of the notched trowel. Gently push a flat river rock mesh square into the thinset. Slide the adjacent tile squares and following rows across the set rocks to make it easier and to prevent any rocks from folding under.

• Keep a square of the flat river rock handy to fill in gaps where pebbles have fallen off the mesh backing or where the river rock squares don't perfectly meet.

• After all the tiles are laid and have set up four to six hours, mix grout and apply. For this project, Dean and Derek use a white sanded variety, which they apply with a grout float.

• Push down firmly to ensure that the grout gets in between all of the individual pebbles.

• Immediately wash off excess grout with a damp grout sponge. Have a bucket of clean water handy to rinse off grout.

• Once the river rock has been sponged clean and dried, finish up by adding your shower hardware (figures V and W).

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GUESTS :

Joseph DiMare, Jr.
G.A.D. Tile & Marble Co.
designer/installer
Phone: 781-335-1817

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