I need to install a curbless shower in an existing home. I plan on using the Schluter-Kerdi system which will give me a height of 1 1/2″ for the system base.
Shower size is 4×4 handicap accessible
I am thinking of notching the joists to gain the depth of the base and plywood subfloor….2 1/4″ total.
Joists are 2×10 ( I think) on 16″ centers and stretch over a 16′ span. Any suggestions on reinforcing the joists…, sistering?
Complicating the matter is this will need to be inspected by city
and Veterans affairs since this will be grant money.
Thanks
Replies
call the sity ahead of time and ask.
then submit the plans for approval.
building inspectors get paid with your tax dollars.
don't be afraid to spend your own money.
they are there to help.
I'll rephrase that and say call and ask when they can walk thru the plans in person then make the trip down to their office.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Why do you have to notch the joists? Cut out the ply base and subfloor and put in new plywood under the sub. Use glue and screws to attach it. You only have to do this on the interior portion of the 4x4 shower.
You can get a lot of shower advice at http://www.johnbridge.com. They are tile guys.
It took a minute to picture what you are describing. Great idea!Karl
I like that idea, by raising the over all floor thickness to 1 1/2 and lowering the subfloor lever under the shower base to the same level as the joists I can maintain the joist integrity. As long as the government specs let me have that much of a lip at the bathroom door I'll be okThanks!
I've done a couple custom wheel-chair access showers; both were 5' X 5' but were for patients who often required two attendants to assist them.The building inspector, in both cases, allowed me to build them curbless so is was a smooth roll in and out, with the drain being at an elevation lower than the bathroom floor. In both of these cases, the foundation base of the shower was set below the elevation of the bathroom floor as was suggested previously.I've installed one commercially built ADA shower in a new home....IIRC it was 42" square and had a curb of about 3/4" between the bathroom floor and the floor of the shower. In this case, the shower module was designed to set directly on the subfloor.As others have said, your local BI, who is likely no stranger to this, will probably be helpful.The Federal ADA standards apply primarily to public or commercial buildings and there is often a little more flexibilty given to private residences, including showers.
Kerdi also makes a ramp for their shower kits.
http://www.schluter.com/5288.aspx
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Don't forget two basic rules for a shower:
1) Floor pitch between 1/4" and 1/2" per foot.
2) Top of the drain must be two inches lower than the top of the curb. Curbless? Then 2" lower than the height of the bathroom floor.
Couple the 2" requirement with the 1/4" pitch of the Kerdi-ST, that's where the Kerdi-SR comes in handy.
In most accessible showers, a deck mud preslope is even easier.
Mongo
Does the drain absolutely have to be 2" lower?Maax has a barrier-free shower unit that definitely does not have a 2" drop. The inspectors gave the OK, although that doesn't mean it is right.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Evening Jon,Those numbers are slope and elevation code requirements. No waivers locally for me, even with ADA, but there might be in your area.Part of the installation manual for that shower unit reads along the lines of "...it is the sole responsibility of the installer to insure that this unit meets local codes prior to installation...", and for the larger -60 unit which is a roll-in, it states "...for unobstructed wheelchair entry, this unit need to be recessed into the floor two inches...".So yeah, if it was me installing one of those without a 2" drop, I'd have a discussion with the inspector before installation and walk out of the office with a signed sheet of paper.Mongo