How To Build A Dog Wash Station
Installing the Dog Wash:
When all of the plumbing was ready we pushed the platform in place and secured it to the rear existing 2×6 wall. The shower base drain was connected and it was time to start making the shower walls water proof.
I shimmed out the wall studs with strips of Luan and installed 1/2″ Durock tile underlayment.
Shimming the studs allows the Durock to pass easily over the shower base lip. I also used 3/8″ Luan shims to keep the Durock off the shower base shelf but made sure it overlapped the self lip.
Waterproofing
Once the Durock was installed I taped the two corners and coated the corners with modified latex thin-set cement. The next day I applied two coats of HydroBan waterproofing product.
Hydro Ban is a thin, load bearing waterproofing/crack isolation membrane that DOES NOT require the use of fabric in the field, coves or corners.
Hydro Ban paints on in a green color and is a single component self curing liquid rubber polymer that forms a flexible, seamless waterproofing membrane and bonds directly to a wide variety of substrates. Read why it is important to waterproof showers.
Installing the Tile
I purchased simple subway tile at a local big box store and applied it to the waterproofed walls with thin-set. I butted my tiles together and kept them 1/4″ off the shower base shelf so it overlapped the Durock. Once the tiles dried I used a sanded white grout to fill the joints.
To cap off the shower walls I used 5/4″ pvc and cut it to overlap the wall by 1/” on all sides, then I routed a bull nose for aesthetic appeal. A Simple molding applied to the sink side of the wall hides the seam at the pvc topper. The tub side is caulked.
1/4″ AC plywood was applied to the bottom of the shower base stand and 1/2″ AC plywood applied to the wall adjacent to and behind the slop sink.
Final Touches:
The plumber set the shower valve temperature for 100 degrees which is cooler than a human shower but more than warm enough for dogs and your hands.
All of the American Standard Reliant 3 shower trim was applied and I added a few towel hooks to the right side wall.
I also bought and installed a hook to the floor joist above and tied an old dog leash [cut to fit] to it to attach to the dog while showering.
SAFETY WARNING: If you install a permanent leash – It’s important NOT to leave your dog unattended when attached to this leash because if then try to jump off in your absence they can choke and injury themselves or die.
