Top Layer Deck Mud and Curb Mortar

The good folks from the John Bridge Tile Forum told us we could mud the bottom of our Hardibacker in place using our top layer of deck mud. Other sites suggested it was fine to do this with Durrock but not Hardibacker. The John Bridge folks said a properly constructed shower would not have problems mudding the Hardibacker; we kept it 1/2" above the liner.

After double-checking the weep holes with a plastic cable tie, we attached the strainer half of the drain, set it to the correct height, and poured the plastic spacers around the weep holes to keep the deck mud from clogging them. We wrapped a piece of galvanized metal lath around the curb to prepare it for the mortar.


Melissa mixed the deck mud.


We used our homemade 2X4 floats and packed in the deck mud keeping our slope proper. After letting it dry for a few hours, Melissa mixed up the mortar for the curb. Our first attempt resulted in mortar crumbling off the curb because we didn't use enough water. So we scrapped it and mixed in more water. The second time seemed better. Melissa carefully shaped the curb and although not perfect, we should be ready to start tile work in a week or so.