The Complete Handbook of Shower Bases

This is the book I wish I had when I started plumbing 15 years ago. The chapter on understanding shower bases explains why cheap bases flex and crack instead of just telling you to buy expensive ones. I appreciated the concrete spec numbers for load and slope, and the explanation of how the mortar bed actually carries the weight is something even some old-timers on my crew don't fully get. I've used it twice already to plan jobs. It's a permanent part of my truck now.

Solid reference, especially the chapter on types and specs. The material comparison between acrylic, fiberglass, and stone resin was very useful for a remodel consultation I did last month. I deducted a star only because I wish there were more photos and diagrams. The text descriptions are clear and I understand the intent is to be a practical handbook, but for a book about physical products, more visual aids would push this to five stars for me.

The book has good meaty information on how shower bases work and how to install them right. Chapter 1 alone was worth the price for the section on subfloor preparation and why a flimsy base needs a solid 3/4-inch plywood subfloor. But I found the troubleshooting chapter a bit scattered, and I expected more on repair methods for minor cracks. The advice is generally good, but I had to read a couple of sections twice to follow the procedural steps.

I bought this for a personal bathroom remodel and found the chapters on choosing the right base extremely helpful. The decision framework broke down the specs, like acrylic vs fiberglass weight and durability, cleanly. That part was great. But I was less interested in the later chapters about the business side, which felt a little out of place for a DIYer like me. It's probably great for professionals, but I wanted more on tileable options and integration with waterproofing membranes.

Decent overall, and definitely more practical than the marketing material from the box store or the specs you find on manufacturer websites. The chapter on the product itself helped me understand the crucial role of the mortar bed and sloping. My main reservation is that it could have been much shorter. Some sections repeat concepts in different chapters, which feels a bit padded. It's a solid reference, but not exactly a gripping read, so expect to use it as a manual.

Good professional reference with the right kind of detail. The business opportunities chapter was surprisingly useful—you don't often see a serious discussion about the economics of repair vs. replacement, and the section on private labeling was more nuanced than I expected. The instructions for leveling a base with a mortar bed are the clearest I've read. My only minor complaint is that it doesn't have a quick-reference index card for common drain sizes and fittings, which would have been a nice practical extra.