Are you planning to install a new tile shower as a part of your renovation? If so, I highly encourage you to consider using a pre-sloped prefab tile-ready shower pan instead of installing a traditional mortar bed. It will save you time and sanity, which are invaluable during a renovation! In this post, we will cover tile-ready shower pan installation and explain why you should use them!
This post is all about tile-ready shower pan installation
What is a Prefab Tile Ready Shower Pan?
Pre-sloped prefab shower pans are factory-made shower bases, typically constructed from polystyrene. They are already sloped to drain, waterproof, or ready for waterproofing and subsequently prepared for tile. Several manufacturers of this type of shower pan, such as Schluter Systems and HYDRO-BLOK. In this post, I will be speaking specifically about the KBRS ShowerSlope.
We installed ShowerSlopes in two showers on our last project and will be installing them in all the showers of our current project. We are big fans of the product.
A pre-sloped shower pan is intended to replace the traditional mortar bed for shower floors. On the KBRS website, you can choose from custom shower pans or a standard size. They currently offer 17 different standard sizes with varying shower drain hole configurations.
You can choose from center drains and right or left drain locations. Their shower bases are constructed to fit a drain kit from most major residential and commercial tile shower drain brands.
The KBRS ShowerSlope is constructed of high-density EPS (expanded polystyrene), epoxy, fiberglass, and mesh. They are very lightweight and can easily be cut in the field if your shower size varies slightly from the standard sizes. While they do offer a pre-waterproofed alternative, the ShowerSlopes do not come with the waterproofing applied.
With the ShowerSlopes, the waterproofing is applied after installation. We apply it once we have installed the foam board walls so we can do it simultaneously.
If you decide to install a KBRS ShowerSlope or TileBasin, the kind people at KBRS are offering a discount of 10% on your order. Just email Rex Smith (rsmith@kbrs.com) and tell him you heard about them through This Renovated House!
Why Should You Use a Prefab Shower Pan?
The first reason you should use a pre-sloped shower pan is that it will save you a lot of time. The typical installation time for a traditional mortar base is up to 5 days, whereas a prefab shower pan installation usually only takes a few hours.
Another reason to install a prefabricated shower base is to save on labor costs. If you are subcontracting the work, it will save you money because it will take less time. If you do the installation yourself, you will save time that you could spend doing something else. It is easy to forget that our time is valuable, too.
A third reason to install a product like the ShowerSlope for your shower installation is that it reduces potential problems with leaks that can cause severe water damage. There are several causes of shower leaks, including punctures in the waterproofing membrane during tile installation or cracks in the mortar bed.
How to Install a Prefab Shower Pan
Important Note: Although the other manufacturers provide similar products, you should review the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific product you plan to use to ensure proper installation, as they may vary.
Prep Work
The first step is to ensure that the ShowerSlope drain is in the right location and that the prefabricated shower pan is the right size. It is also essential to ensure your wood subfloor has a clean and level surface. We recommend using a shop vac and a damp, non-shedding microfiber cloth to clean dust from the shower floor.
Once you have cleaned the floor, dry fit the ShowerSlope to verify fit and drain alignment. Trim the shower base as necessary for a proper fit. Once you have confirmed the fit, mark the outline of the shower base and curb on the floor using a Sharpie as reference marks for the mortar.
Before setting the prefab shower base, you must install the drain base. You should apply a bead of the ShowerSeal polyurethane sealant to the plywood subfloor under the drain base.
Using the appropriate solvent cement, solvent weld the drain base to the drain pipe. Ensure the top of the shower drain flange is 3/8″ above the subfloor and the drain level. Also, be sure to remove the clamping ring from the drain base.
Installation Process
At this point, you should have verified the drain alignment and shower pan fit in the shower stall. The subfloor should be cleaned, and the drain base installed. You are now ready to install the prefab shower pan.
It is time to mix up the quality polymer-modified thin-set mortar following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Next, apply the thin-set to the subfloor troweling in one direction using the trowel with the installation kits. You will also apply a good-sized bead of the ShowerSeal polyurethane sealant to the outside edge of the top of the drain flange.
Once you have applied the mortar and the sealant to the drain flange, lower the bottom of the shower base into the mortar. After you have set the shower base, carefully walk on the shower base. This will ensure that it is embedded in the mortar. Use levels to ensure shower base edges are level.
Assuming you also applied mortar in the location of the curb, you will add a bead of the ShowerSeal polyurethane sealant to the outside edge of the bottom of the curb before setting it in place.
Once you have set the curb, ensure it is embedded evenly in the mortar and slightly sloped toward the shower for water runoff.
You can now reattach the drain’s clamping ring, making sure NOT to overtighten it.
Once you have installed your new shower pan and allowed enough cure time, you can install your shower walls! If you are in the planning phases of a bathroom renovation and are curious about costs, you might be interested in my post, Cost of a Small Bathroom Remodel: Here’s a Breakdown. If you are planning your shower renovation, you might also like my post, Tile Grout: How to Choose the Perfect Grout for Your Shower.
Summary
Now that we have explained tile-ready shower pan installation, you should be ready to start on that beautiful new shower!
