Because the bathroom tile sits on top of layers of other materials. All of these layers sit on top of the original subfloor, which makes the bathroom floor higher than the rest of the house, unfortunately.
If you want to install a shower over a concrete floor, a fiberglass shower stall will work just fine. Ideally, you'll already have a drain roughed in, with the pipe sticking a few inches above the floor. Otherwise you have to break through the concrete to run a new line for a shower stall installation.
How to Change a Toilet Drain to a Shower Drain
- Unscrew the old toilet flange and pry it loose.
- Join the 4-inch to 2-inch PVC reducer bushing to the sewer pipe with a 4-inch rubber coupling, if the pipe is metal or non-PVC.
- Temporarily mount a 2-inch PVC trap under the shower drain location with a pipe hanger.
The best way to install a basement bathroom shower without damaging your floors is to look into an upflush toilet system. While traditional basement showers require you to drill into concrete to add a drain, a Saniflo system sits on top concrete floors.
Dry-Fit the Shower Base
Set the shower base into place to gauge what changes may need to be made to the drain. Take measurements from the back wall and sidewalls, then write them down so you can line the drain up. Most installers recommend putting a bed of mortar down for the shower base to sit on.I use plaster for bedding as it beds to where you want easily, even on badly of the level floors, & to a thin layer where needed. Consider using " Classic Seal " or similar rubber stick on upstands, if tray hasn't it's own, as they allow floor movement.
In bathrooms, all timber floors including particleboard and plywood are to be fully waterproofed over their entire surface area, excluding the area under a preformed shower base or built-in bath, whether the shower is enclosed or not.
You could tile under the shower base, around the edges anyway to save cuts, but make sure you go all the way round or prop the area under the wall to keep it all level.
A shower base must be installed on a level floor. Any shower base is only as level as the floor it rests upon. While shower bases are made of durable materials, an uneven floor underneath will allow the base to flex and give under the weight of those who use it regularly.
Set the Base in Mortar
bag of mortar with water to a creamy consistency. Avoid concrete mix; stones in the mix will hold the base away from the floor. Spread the mortar over the floor under the base, about 1 in. or so thick. Then lower the base into the wet mix, forcing it down to the shims and the stud marks.Mortar is the type of concrete product that works best for shower pan applications since it contains no gravel, allowing it to work easily and dry with a gentle slope. The slope directs water toward the shower drain.
mortar /môrter/noun: a mixture of lime with cement, sand, and water, used in building to bond bricks or stones. Thinset, while it is also sometimes referred to as a “mortar” is an adhesive. It's a mix of cement, water, and fine sand.
Non-expanding Foam
It is typically used as an insulation to reduce drafts but can also be used to fill voids between shower bases and subfloors. Only non-expanding foam can be used for this application, as expanding foam can damage the shower base as it dries.Best Shower Pan Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | PRICE | MATERIAL |
|---|
| DreamLine 36 x 60 Shower Base, Center Drain | $$$$ | Acrylic capped ABS |
| DreamLine 36 x 48 Shower Base, Center Drain | $$$ | Acrylic capped ABS |
| DreamLine 33 x 33 Quarter Round Shower Base | $$ | Acrylic capped ABS |
| DreamLine 36 x 36 Neo-Angle Shower Base | $ | Acrylic capped ABS |
Why would I need a riser kit for my shower tray? You may be able to place a shower tray directly on the floor. A riser kit raises the tray on legs, allowing the waste trap clearance under the tray. The adjustable legs in a riser kit can be useful for installing on uneven surfaces.
Not all riser kits will fit all trays, so if you need to raise your shower tray, make sure the riser kit is compatible with it: some legs hammer into holes, some screw into female threads on the underside of the tray – it varies by manufacturer.
Waste pipes need to be installed sloping down to ensure the water runs the right way. This needs to be a minimum of 10mm fall for every 4m of pipe which can lead to insufficient fall within the floor void under baths or showers (especially under low-level or flush shower trays).
How To Fit A Shower Tray
- Mark out the tray position.
- Choose the waste position.
- Line up side panels.
- Check the tray is level.
- Attach the waste.
- Apply sealant.
- Complete the surrounding walls.
- Install the side panels.
Whilst space-saving shower trays tend to be smaller, they're designed to provide ample space in the shower for a comfortable and refreshing shower experience. The average width and depth of a shower tray is typically between 700mm and 1700mm.
Apply Sealant
Take your silicone sealant and carefully seal around the edges of the shower tray. Do this first around the edges of the tray where it meets the bathroom walls. This is your initial seal. Ensure you apply all sealant lines evenly and leave to set for the instructed time, which can be up to 24 hours.Yes, it can be done, no it's not difficult and no you won't get leaks (providing the work is carried out correctly). In looking at the pros and cons of this issue, it is interesting to consider the main differences between a conventional shower area and a wetroom.
Mating tile walls with a fiberglass or acrylic shower pan is not only possible but it is a common practice. Note that you cannot tile on the floor of standard fiberglass/acrylic shower pans. Slight flexing will quickly crack the grout and even the tiles. However, some specialty shower pans such as those made by.
If your shower has a shower pan, replacing just the pan is possible, but not always advisable. The point of having a shower pan is one part versatility and one part convenience. Shower pans are made to work with fiberglass shower surrounds and tiled walls.
Width x Depth
- 30" x 30" (2)
- 36" x 36" (3)
- 38" x 38" (2)
- 40" x 38" (3)
- 42" x 36" (1)
- 42" x 38" (1)
- 45" x 50" (3)
- 45" x 51" (1)
