Do not use … In order to add support and reinforce the subfloor structure, you can add a secondary layer that the built up shower pan will sit on top of. … If the pan is molded underneath with supports all across the bottom, there is no need to put anything else under it. The best mortar for a shower pan is a mix of standard cement mix with sand and Portland cement. 1) The metal lath or reinforcement can be placed over a cleavage membrane on top of the subfloor. In most cases, the job is easier with the help of an assistant. What do you do? Unlike the surface of a concrete slab, wood subfloors may have irregularities or require additional fasteners at the area of a shower. In 35 years, he's gained expertise in all phases of residential construction, retrofit and remodeling. Time to replace that old nasty shower? Sweep out any debris from sub floor. Most homes will consist of a standard subfloor constructed of running boards laid over floor joists, a plywood layer over the running boards, or if on a first floor, the subfloor can be a concrete slab. If you're planning to install a shower base or manufactured shower pan on a subfloor, it's necessary to make sure the pan will be level and stable. I am installing a 36 x 48 acrylic shower pan on a plywood subfloor. Increasing subfloor thickness under new shower pan. Place a 3-foot level on the floor facing from right to left, and again facing from front to back at the area of the pan. His hobbies include horses, motorcycles, road racing and sport fishing. Then you'll need a new shower pan. Keep the edges of the slot … To do this, add a quart of water to the bucket or tub and pour in some of the dry mortar. … The role of a shower pan is to create a sloped, waterproof seal between the shower and the flooring underneath since tile, grout and mortar are not entirely waterproof. The fiberglass shower pan goes on the subfloor. The floor is not level. TileTip.com is your premier source for tile information and all the remodeling questions you have before, during, and after the installation. Depending on the subfloor material, you will need to ensure it is sturdy enough to support the weight of a built up shower pan. 9 Common Subfloor Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them, Mortared Shower Pan Install on Wood Subfloor, How to Prepare a Floor for a Walk-in Shower, A subfloor will add extra stability and structure to your shower area floor, Plywood is an easily accessible material, cut it to the shower area floor size, and install using non-moisture corrosive screws, Cement Backerboard needs to be installed with a light coat of tile adhesive to secure it to the floor and also eliminate any voids, Make sure to use as few material pieces as possible, avoid multiple pieces since this will allow the floor to flex. It will never come into contact with the pan liner. Mark a piece of 1-by-4 pine or fir as a leveling rod for the mortar, using the 3-foot level. Apply a layer of thinset on top of the dried mortar with a V-notched trowel that's 1/4" by 3/16". My shower pan or the drain was leaking slowly. If necessary, lift the pan or base out of the way and install additional deck screws or level a low spot. Use the acrylic caulk or construction adhesive (depending on the shower pan manufacturer's recommendations) and caulk gun to secure the pan to the … Ask Question Asked 5 years, 5 months ago. Viewed 361 times 2. I ripped my old shower down to the studs … If a plywood subfloor already exists, it may be redundant to add to the subfloor, which would only be increasing the height and add minimal support and structure. Active 5 years, 1 month ago. Hold the 1-by-4 rod on edge against the surface of the subfloor and move it across the surface of the mortar in a sawing motion. You can do this by crawling under your home and checking the floor … A piece of plywood can be purchased in 1/2″ or 3/4″ thickness, and most cement backer boards will be 1/4″, 1/2″, or 5/8″ thick. They are designed to support the … A standard material used for a subfloor is going to be a cut to size plywood, mainly due to its availability. The condition will worsen over time. 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 … Alternatively, add small amounts of mortar to fill the low spot and repeat the process. Ask an assistant to help position the shower base or pan in place, with the hole for the drain centered over the drainpipe or hole in the subfloor. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Cut the piece to length with a handsaw. Black and Decker The Complete Guide to Attics and Basements; Matthew Paymar, Phil Schmidt, How to Level a Subfloor for Laminate Flooring. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. I had a piece of carpet over the carpet at the door of the shower and did not realize it. The only way to really know if your shower pan is leaking or if the plumbing has broken is to check the subfloor underneath. Frame out shower stall area to shower pan dimensions. Designed to accommodate the KERDI-DRAIN point drain, the KERDI-SHOWER-T/-TS/-TT shower tray can be installed over a recessed subfloor to create an even transition from the floor tile … Make the slot about a foot wide and extend it just beyond the new drain location. If you're installing the shower in a new area without an existing drain or if you're changing the drain size in an existing space, make sure the subfloor is cut for appropriate access. If needed, cut any finishing pieces to size in order to complete the subfloor installation. In this video Mark Donovan of http://www.homeadditionplus.com explains the stack up required in a mortar shower pan installation. Check to see if the shower drain hole … Contractors typically use a material called bedded mortar to cover the area of subfloor where a shower base will sit. A subfloor is the layer at the very bottom of your shower pan. Mix it thoroughly with the trowel to remove any clumps. Stand in the base or pan to determine if the subfloor is stable. Where a rotten subfloor is left unattended, the rot may extend to … Remove debris at the area of the subfloor where the shower pan installs, using a shop vacuum. Draw a line onto the subfloor along the edge of the shower pan; this line will be referenced later. Put the new shower base aside and draw an access slot on the subfloor, roughing in the new P-trap and drain line. This is especially true when remodeling at an existing subfloor. Q. Glue them to the underside of the shower pan with construction adhesive. Alternatively, you can choose to install a cement backer board as your subfloor or as an addition for support and structure. Determine whether the floor needs to be leveled and mark the floor at the low spots. We gather the best information, organize it, and make it available to you according to the current stage of your remodeling project. Hammer down any... 2. No I would not apply water proofer to the subfloor under the shower pan (unless we are going to be waterproofing the entire floor it might be easier to just continue it under the shower pan). Allow the mortar to cure overnight and proceed to the next step. one without the other) over a bathtub when renovating in order to increase the available floor space and make the bathroom feel larger The primary objective is to support the weight of the built up shower pan and provide a durable subfloor in the event of the natural processes of home settling and seismic movements. 2. When choosing your subfloor material, take into consideration how the thickness will effect the overall heigh of the built up shower pan in relation to your shower curb. Installing a curbless shower over a wood substrate is a lot easier now than in years past. Drill 3/16-inch holes in the flange at each stud location. Depending on the subfloor … Test fit shower pan drain housing into subfloor bore hole. One side will be resting on a … How to Prepare a Subfloor for a New Fiberglass Shower Pan 1. DO NOT SAND, CUT, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE SURFACE OF THE SHOWER PAN … I am putting in a whole new floor, joist and all, and the span is the 40". We also smartly list products and services to help in moving your project along. To install the subfloor, whether it is the primary or secondary layer, you will need to accurately measure the length and width of your built up shower pan, also taking into consideration any non-square corners. I think The Evil Greebo does bring up a good point, because this is a steam shower … Mix a batch of skimming mortar in a bucket or mixing tub, using fresh water and a wooden trowel. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Allow mortar to cure overnight before installing the base or pan. Apply some mixed mortar at the marked area of a low spot on the subfloor. You should end up with material leading to the edge of your framed walls and shower curb. Rip two three foot lengths of 3/4 inch thick plywood or OSB wide enough to span the distance between floor joists … Shower pans that do not require a mortar bed have support ribs beneath them that radiate out from the drain opening. With a screw gun, install 2-inch deck screws alongside each existing nail or screw to securely fasten the subfloor to the joists. Remove any residual mortar by hand or with the trowel. DO NOT NAIL OR SCREW ANYTHING INTO THE PAN. We benefit by helping you find what your looking for and are paid a small amount when a purchase is made on a sellers website we link out to. He studied architecture at Taft Junior College. Plug the drain with a rag. 1. Hammer down any protruding nails used to fasten the subfloor to the floor joists below. There is mold through to the sub floor under the pan and the carpeted area which we can see on the ceiling under the shower … Replacing or relocating a shower is a great way to refresh a bathroom and add value to your home. Use the existing nails or deck screws as guides to determine the locations of the floor joists below the subfloor. Use the existing nails or deck screws as guides to determine the locations of the floor joists below the subfloor. Place the level across the pan or base to determine if it is level both ways. Ideally you would need to cut single, large pieces and screw them into the running boards or concrete slab. I'm thinking about installing 1/2" cement board under the shower pan (and surrounding … 2) The pre-slope under the pan … The dimensions will be about 40" x 10' (mud shower pan over entire area). Where do you start? Most homes will consist of a standard subfloor constructed of running boards laid over floor joists, a plywood layer over the running boards, or if on a first floor, the subfloor can be a concrete slab. William Machin began work in construction at the age of 15, while still in high school. 3. Add mortar or small amounts of water, as necessary, so the batch is the consistency of moist mashed potatoes. The subfloor is the layer beneath your shower… A shower pan — the piece that forms the bottom of the shower or bathtub — … It is important to remember, if you choose a cement backer board, you will need to use the manufacturer recommended backer board screws. A plywood subfloor under a shower, also known as underlayment, is vulnerable to moisture damage that can rot the wood. A subfloor is the layer at the very bottom of your shower pan. This material resembles concrete and, once set, hardens and prevents the … … Remove debris at the area of the subfloor where the shower pan installs, using a shop vacuum. This secondary layer can be added on top of the running boards or concrete slab.