The most common failure in custom tiled showers is omitting the pre-slope.

Install 2x6 or 2x8 horizontal blocking between studs at specific heights: 36 inches: For future grab bar installation.

Avoiding "slivers" (tiny, ugly tile cuts) at the corners or ceiling is the mark of a pro.

Calculate your tile grid from the . It is better to have a cut tile at the floor than a 1/2-inch sliver at the ceiling where it's most visible. 4. The "Flood Test" Verification

Always use the provided with the valve as your guide, but ensure it sits flush with the finished tile surface , not just the backer board.

You must pitch the subfloor underneath the waterproof liner, not just the mortar bed on top of it. Without a pre-slope, water that permeates the grout collects on the flat liner, becomes stagnant, and creates a "mud sandwich" that leads to mold and liner rot. 2. Blocking for the Future

Never trust a liner or a liquid membrane until it has been challenged.