DIY Curbless Shower Project Using Quick Pitch and Composeal Waterproofing
One of the best ways to evaluate a shower waterproofing and slope system is to see how it performs in a real-world installation. This project was completed by homeowner Duffy Violante of New York with the assistance of a contractor friend using a custom shower system built with Quick Pitch, Pre-Pitch, Composeal waterproofing, Kirb Perfect components, and an Ebbe square shower drain.
The completed shower demonstrates how a properly planned waterproofing and slope system can help homeowners create a professional-quality tile shower without the expense of a fully custom fabricated shower pan.
The homeowner reported that the installation process was straightforward and resulted in a properly sloped shower floor and a finished bathroom that exceeded expectations.
Project Location: New York
Construction Assistance: ON-SPEC Builder Corp., Gardiner, NY
Project Type: Custom tiled shower installation using a complete DIY shower system.
Project Overview
This shower design required more than a standard shower kit because of the overall size and layout of the shower floor. To properly create the necessary slope toward the drain, additional Quick Pitch and Pre-Pitch extension pieces were incorporated into the project.
By combining these components with Composeal waterproofing membranes and an Ebbe square shower drain, the project achieved both reliable waterproofing protection and efficient water drainage.
The result is a shower system designed to provide long-term durability while maintaining a clean and attractive finished appearance.
Products Used in This Installation
The following components were used to complete this custom shower project:
- Pre-Pitch Shower Slope System with extension pieces
- Quick Pitch Shower Slope System with extension pieces
- Kirb Perfect shower curb system
- Composeal Blue waterproofing membrane
- Inside and outside waterproofing corners
- Universal center ring for square drain installations
- Ebbe square shower drain assembly
Each component serves a specific purpose in creating a properly sloped, waterproof, and tile-ready shower base.
Why Use a Pre-Pitch System?
A properly constructed shower should always direct water toward the drain. The Pre-Pitch system helps establish the initial slope beneath the waterproofing membrane, preventing moisture from becoming trapped within the mortar bed.
Without a proper pre-slope, water can collect beneath the tile installation and potentially contribute to long-term moisture problems.
By creating a consistent slope before waterproofing is installed, the system helps support proper drainage throughout the life of the shower.
Composeal Waterproofing Protection
After the pre-slope is completed, the waterproofing membrane becomes one of the most important components of the entire shower assembly.
Composeal Blue waterproofing membranes create a barrier that helps protect surrounding building materials from moisture intrusion while directing water toward the drain system.
Inside and outside waterproofing corners are used to reinforce critical transition areas where leaks are most likely to occur.
Combining proper slope with reliable waterproofing helps create a durable shower system capable of long-term performance.
Building the Shower Base with Quick Pitch
Once the waterproofing layer was completed, construction moved to the final mortar bed using the Quick Pitch shower slope system. Quick Pitch is designed to help installers create a consistent slope from the perimeter of the shower toward the drain without relying solely on hand-floating techniques.
For this project, additional extension pieces were required because of the overall size and shape of the shower. These extensions allowed the installer to maintain proper pitch across the entire shower floor while ensuring efficient drainage to the center drain location.
The ability to customize the layout using extension pieces is one of the reasons Quick Pitch remains popular for larger shower installations and unique floor configurations.
Integrating the Ebbe Square Shower Drain
This project incorporated an Ebbe square shower drain, which provides a clean finished appearance while simplifying tile layout around the drain opening.
Unlike traditional round drains that often require curved tile cuts, the square design allows installers to work with straight lines that integrate naturally into many tile patterns.
The installation also utilized a universal center ring, which is commonly required when incorporating square drains into compatible shower systems.
Careful drain placement and height adjustment help ensure that the finished tile surface drains properly while maintaining a professional appearance.
Creating a Consistent Slope Across the Entire Shower Floor
One of the most important goals during shower construction is creating a uniform slope that directs water efficiently toward the drain without creating low spots where water can collect.
By combining Pre-Pitch beneath the waterproofing membrane and Quick Pitch above it, this installation provides multiple layers of drainage protection.
The completed mortar bed creates a solid foundation for tile while helping maintain consistent water flow toward the drain.
Preparing for Tile Installation
After the mortar bed is completed and properly cured, the shower is ready for tile installation. At this stage, much of the critical waterproofing and drainage work has already been completed beneath the surface.
Because the slope has been established using the Quick Pitch system, the tile installer can focus on achieving proper tile layout and a clean finished appearance.
Proper preparation at the waterproofing and mortar stages helps reduce installation challenges later in the project.
Advantages of Using a Complete Shower System
Rather than combining unrelated products from multiple manufacturers, this project utilized a coordinated approach that included slope creation, waterproofing, drain integration, and shower curb construction.
Benefits of using a complete shower system include:
- Proper drainage toward the shower drain
- Reliable waterproofing protection
- Simplified installation process
- Reduced risk of standing water
- Professional-quality finished results
- Compatibility between system components
These advantages can be especially valuable for homeowners working alongside contractors or experienced DIY installers.
The Finished Shower Installation
After the waterproofing, drain installation, and mortar bed preparation were completed, the shower was ready for tile. The finished project demonstrates how a properly planned shower system can produce professional-quality results while maintaining long-term performance and reliability.
The completed shower combines effective drainage, durable waterproofing protection, and an attractive tile installation that complements the overall bathroom design.
By following a proven installation process and utilizing compatible system components, the homeowner was able to achieve a finished shower that looks professionally built while benefiting from the confidence that comes with a properly waterproofed assembly.
Homeowner Project Results
According to the homeowner, the installation process was straightforward and produced excellent results. The combination of the Pre-Pitch system, Quick Pitch system, Composeal waterproofing membrane, and Ebbe square drain helped create a shower base that was both accurate and easy to construct.
Projects like this demonstrate that homeowners can successfully complete complex shower remodeling projects when the proper materials, planning, and installation methods are used.
The use of extension pieces allowed the system to accommodate the unique dimensions of the shower while maintaining proper drainage throughout the entire floor area.
Why Proper Waterproofing and Drainage Matter
Many shower failures occur because of improper slope, inadequate waterproofing, or poor drain integration. A successful shower installation requires all of these components to work together as a complete system.
In this project, each component played an important role:
- Pre-Pitch established the initial slope beneath the waterproofing layer
- Composeal waterproofing protected the structure from moisture intrusion
- Quick Pitch created a consistent finished slope toward the drain
- Kirb Perfect simplified curb construction
- The Ebbe square drain provided efficient drainage and a modern appearance
When combined correctly, these components help create a shower system designed for long-term performance.
A Successful DIY Shower Remodeling Project
This project serves as an excellent example of how homeowners and contractors can work together to build a custom shower using proven installation systems and quality materials.
The finished shower not only delivers reliable waterproofing and drainage performance but also creates an attractive focal point within the remodeled bathroom.
For homeowners considering a custom shower project, this installation demonstrates how proper planning and the right products can help simplify construction while delivering professional results.
Related Resources:
- Quick Pitch System Specifications
- Quick Pitch Installation Guide
- Quick Pitch Video Library
- Ebbe Square Shower Drain FAQ
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