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Q&A for How to Install a Shower Pan
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QuestionWhat are shower pans made out of?Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.They're typically fiberglass or acrylic. They can also be tile, pebble, or travertine.
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QuestionWhat can I use instead of a shower pan?Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.You can install a waterproof membrane before laying tile or stone down. The membranes are typically made of plastic sheets, but there are liquid and foam membranes as well.
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QuestionWhat should I do before I order the shower pan?Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.Measure the dimensions of the space and make sure that your shower pan is going to fit perfectly. Manufacturers typically make their pans in a few prefabricated sizes, and if your space is too big, you'll need a custom pan.
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QuestionDo I put anything between the shower pan and floor?Community AnswerYou could put plastic sheeting on the floor and then set the pan in mortar or plaster on top of the plastic.
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QuestionWhat kind of screw do I use to secure the pan?Community AnswerUse a stainless steel exterior grade or decking screw.
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QuestionI am installing pine flooring in a bathroom that needed a complete tear-out. Do I put the new shower base directly on top of the flooring or on top of the subfloor using drywall compound under it?Community AnswerThe fiberglass shower pan goes on the subfloor. If the pan is molded underneath with supports all across the bottom, there is no need to put anything else under it. Do not use drywall mud!
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QuestionHow would I install drywall over the shower base?Community AnswerYou would not want to use drywall around a shower base. Use tileboard (AKA backerboard), and then put on thinset before tiling the walls.
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QuestionMy handyman says he must tear out the wall tiles around the three walls of the shower. Is that necessary? The tiles are in good shape.Community AnswerI would get a second opinion. I don't like to destroy what is useful, and that would be labor intensive and expensive. It may be necessary, but it doesn't hurt to get another opinion.
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QuestionDo I need a cement base?Community AnswerNot sure what you're asking for. If you want a tiled shower floor, a mud pan or other formed pan that will accommodate tile, a base will be necessary. Don't put tile on a fiberglass shower pan.
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QuestionI am installing cement backer board to the studs around a shower base. Should I stop the cement board at the top lip of the base?Community AnswerYes, You never have the cement board over the top lip. The cement board stops at the lip, and the tile will go go over the lip. Allow a 1/4" gap between the tile and base and seal with silicone.
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QuestionIs there anything between the shower pan and wood floor?Community AnswerYes! It should be sand mix, and a plastic sheeting so the shower base does not adhere to the sand mix. Do NOT use mortar or cement, as these will cure too quickly for most do-it-yourselfers. You are just creating a firm base to support the shower pan, unless it has supports under it (not common).
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QuestionHow long does it take to install a shower pan?Community AnswerThis is dependent on whether or not you've prepped for it: walls, floors, etc. This should be a weekend project, start to finish for most. If it involves new plumbing, etc., then it could take 3-4 days, dependent on the age/condition of your present bath.
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QuestionMy shower is leaking under the house. What do I do?Shaun KaneCommunity AnswerFind out where the leak is coming from. Is it the plumbing or drain? If so, the damage will be under that end of the tub. Is it the tile around the shower? The damage will be more widespread or show in a distinct line around the tub area. Either way, prepare to have to remove the tile and wallboard at one end or around the whole shower to find out where the water has gotten out of the shower.
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QuestionCan I make a 54 inch pan fit into a 55 inch space and still tile the walls properly? What would the best approach be?Community AnswerSister the 2x4s along the existing studs with the pan in place to ensure the new 2x4s are all flush with the pan. Make sure there are no gaps.
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