tiled, shower walls with niche, shower floor, and floor (12” x 24” walls and 4” hex all floors). This is on concrete slab. I’m working with a contrac- tor who is bringing tilers in for the job and I’d like to make sure they are following standards. Can you tell me what the acceptable methods are for building/water- proofing a mud-pan, including shower wall and threshold? I know they are creating a mud pan, but not sure what prod- ucts or method they are using. I’m assuming there are a variety of products used and methods, which makes it complicated for the lay person. Any information/ diagrams are appreciated. Thank you! ANSWER You are correct that shower construction is complicated. It is critical that a shower is con- structed properly. Depending on the specifics of your installation, there are sev- eral methods for constructing showers published in the 2017 edition of the TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation. These will guide a contractor who owns and uses them. These methods include: B414, B441, B415, B420, B426, B431, B421, B422, B421C, B422C. These methods may vary some- what depending on whether LATICRETE® 257 TITANIUM™ is a lightweight, high-performance, thin-set mortar designed to func- tion as the optimal choice for installing Gauged Porcelain Tile (GPT) and Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels/Slabs (GPTP) in commer- cial, residential and industrial applications. 257 TITANIUM exceeds ANSI A118.15, the industry’s high- est performance standard for a cementitious-based adhesive mor- tar, providing worry-free interior, exterior or submerged installa- tions. Additionally, 257 TITANIUM utilizes LATICRETE HYDROMATIC CURE CHEMISTRY™ which accel- erates the hydration process to rap- idly consume water in the system, allowing the material to cure in a predictable manner. Available in 25 pound (11.3 kilogram) bags in grey and white, 257 TITANIUM is silica sand-free which both reduces exposure to respirable silica and contributes to the easy-to-spread creamy con- sistency and ease of troweling. www.laticrete.com. ASK THE EXPERTS –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20 TileLetter | March 2018