Q&A for How to Install a Shower Pan

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What are shower pans made out of?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
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.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

They're typically fiberglass or acrylic. They can also be tile, pebble, or travertine.

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Question

What can I use instead of a shower pan?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
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.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

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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Question

What should I do before I order the shower pan?

Dave Jones
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
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.

Dave Jones

Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Expert Answer

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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Question

Do I put anything between the shower pan and floor?

Community Answer

You 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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Question

What kind of screw do I use to secure the pan?

Community Answer

Use a stainless steel exterior grade or decking screw.

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Question

I 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 Answer

The 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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Question

How would I install drywall over the shower base?

Community Answer

You 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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Question

My 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 Answer

I 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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Question

Do I need a cement base?

Community Answer

Not 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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Question

I 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 Answer

Yes, 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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Question

Is there anything between the shower pan and wood floor?

Community Answer

Yes! 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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Question

How long does it take to install a shower pan?

Community Answer

This 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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Question

My shower is leaking under the house. What do I do?

Shaun Kane

Community Answer

Find 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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Question

Can 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 Answer

Sister 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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