QA

How To Install A Stand Up Shower Base

What do you put under shower base?

Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.

Does flooring go under shower base?

A floating floor needs to float, do not put it under the shower pan. The floor is the last thing to go in, not the first. You will need to leave an expansion gap at the pan per manufacturer recommendations on whatever floor you choose.

Do you need to waterproof under a shower base?

DON’T ignore the importance of waterproofing when installing an acrylic shower base. The walls and the area around the top of the acrylic base along the wall are very important for proper waterproofing and it is essential that it be done correctly. In a bathroom, proper waterproofing is non-negotiable.

Do you need mortar under shower base?

If the shower base installation floor is not level, there are two options. The second is to add mortar to the floor to even it out. If sliding shims under the base does not work, opt to install the mortar bed. This is usually a good idea when floors are badly sloped or the use of shims is simply not practical.

Do you fit shower tray before tiling?

We always advise fitting the shower tray before tiling the walls or installing wall panels as this ensures a more watertight seal around the sides of the tray. Step 1 – Position the shower tray where you want it installed and make sure it fits into the space with no clearance issues.

How do you install a shower base on a timber floor?

Steps 1Measure the hole in the floor. 2Cut the hole in the floor. 3Cut out the recesses for the shower base. 4Check that the floor is level. 5Mix your cement. 6Lay the concrete base. 7Put the shower base in place. 8Insert the nogs to hold the shower lining.

What is a free standing shower base?

A freestanding shower unit includes four sides, a door and a floor that, when installed properly, does not require any walls to support the shower stall. This makes it an ideal choice for adding a shower to basements or garages, where a floor drain is already in place.

What is a stand alone shower?

Plumbing A Stand-alone Shower. The plumbing for a stand-alone shower is simpler than that for a bathtub/shower, naturally: There’s no line running down to a bathtub spout. There’s just a hot and cold supply line running to the valve and a pipe running up to the shower arm and showerhead.

What kind of mortar do you use under a fiberglass shower pan?

The ideal mortar for a shower pan is a mix of standard cement mix with sand and Portland cement. This type of mortar creates a great water-resistant barrier that can support the weight of the shower unit.

Do you put cement board under a shower pan?

ALL CEMENT BOARDS MUST be installed in a fresh bed of thinset. Unmodified thinset is preferable. If you want the cement board under the shower tray then do so – doesn’t matter. If that creates plumbing issues you can’t deal with then leave it out.

How thick should mortar be for shower tray?

So that the tray is bedded completely level the tray area has to be FULLY COVERED with an 8mm minimum thickness of weak cement mix (Fig 3). The minimum thickness of mortar at the lowest point should be 5mm after the tray has been levelled.

How thick should the mortar be in a shower pan?

If you are using a preformed shower pan, the manufacturer of the pan should provide instructions as to how thick the mortar bed needs to be. If you are installing tile, the mortar bed should be 2-3 inches thick on the outer edge and slightly less at the drain.

What goes first shower pan or walls?

Whether you choose to install tile or the panel walls, drywall always goes on top of the shower pan, after the pan is set into the floor. Both tile and shower walls perform the same function, they just do so with different types of materials.

Do you grout between tile and shower tray?

Grout is generally the best choice for filling joints between tiles in showers or elsewhere. Grout in these particular seams is more likely to crack due to settling. Some tile setters fill these seams with matching color caulk because it’s more flexible should movement occur.

Do you tile the shower wall or floor first?

Why You Should Tile the Floor First The tile installation principle is that the tiled wall ‘hangs’ over the tiled floor. The best way to achieve this outcome is by first tiling the floor so that the wall tile will then seem to be ‘sitting’ on the bathroom floor.

Can concrete be used for shower floor?

Concrete is perfectly adequate, if not recommended, for use as the shower pan base for materials such as stone, tile or mosaic tile to be used as the finish surface (as long as there is a proper membrane between the concrete and any vulnerable surrounding material).

Can you put shower liner on plywood?

With a little patience and planning, a shower can be constructed on a plywood floor that will stand the test of time by using a rubber shower liner and a two-step process to pouring the shower floor.

Do plumbers install shower pans?

Plumbers generally install the shower liner, new drain trap and strainer. In the old days, when lead and copper were used, you wouldn’t expect the tile person to install the pan Shower liners here are part of the rough plumbing inspection, I would not want the tile person to be responsible for my work.

How do you build a subfloor in a shower pan?

The subfloor needs to be a minimum of two layers of 3/4-inch exterior grade plywood before you can move to actually putting down the concrete layer of deck mud that provides the slope and the base for the shower pan tile.

How do you waterproof a wooden bathroom floor?

When waterproofing wood floors, use a urethane waterproof sealer that is water or oil-based to protect the floor’s natural shine. If you’re using a urethane sealer, apply the first coat with a thick mop made of wool or another natural material. This is a great way to create a smooth, even application.