Shower Base Installation

Shower base installation is a moderately easy process, if the steps involved in its installation are followed properly. This base serves as a basin through which the water drains into the plumbing. The base is also set up in order to prevent water from flowing out of the shower enclosure. The shower base is made of different materials such as, in a fiberglass shower base installation, the material used to make the base is made up of fiberglass.

How to Install Shower Base

• The tools required for the installation of a shower base are hammers, screw drivers, measuring tape, cement board, drywall screws, tile, limber for blocking, leveling materials and drainage units nuts, mesh water, rubber washer, strainer and a tightening tool.
• Level the sub floor evenly by spreading a coat of leveling compound evenly and plastering the area where you are going to place the shower base. Take care that the leveling base comes in contact with the surface of the floor.
• Level the sub floor and then lower the shower base over the center of the drain. After the base is set well, move it slightly in position so that you can fasten it to the walls. Place the flange on top of the splash after you are done with the leveling of base. The flange should consist of pre-cut screw holes. If the shower base kit you have purchased consists of screws, then it is always a better option to use them.
• Tighten the flange to the wall and while doing so, take care that the base flange is attached to the studs. The work will be quicker on a framed wall that has not been covered. Block the studs and make sure, that the top of the flange sides flush against the blocking between the studs. To check if the flange is flush or not, use a level maintaining tool. If, the base is set well, then the end of the flange should flush with the edge of the outer studs. A total of four fastening points are to be made and you should screw the flange to these fastening points. Two of these fastening points are placed in the corners, while two of them are outer points. There should be no gap between the flange, blockings and studs. You can use shims for filling the gaps. Use it only if you are unable to flush the flange.
• The next step is installing the drain. The drain should fit into the drain pipe in the center of the shower base. Some drains have a special tool which allows you to thread the nut and drain it into place. Before screwing in the drainage unit, the rubber and mesh washers should be flat against the nut.
• With the help of a cement board, cover the shower walls and shower heads. If the shower base is being installed in a new area of the room which has not been framed yet, then make a new frame and cover it with cement board which will cover the walls around the base.
• After that, install tiles over the cement board. After you are finished with the tiling of the walls, you will notice a gap, where the walls meet the top of the shower base. If you have done the installation properly, then this gap will be very small, approximately 1/8 inches, and if it's any larger than that, you will have to fill it with caulk.
• Fill in the gaps between the wall and flange with caulk. Choose the color sealant according to the color of your shower base and walls. You can select a heavy duty silicone sealant. While applying the sealant take care that it spreads evenly. You can use a standard caulking gum.

Among most bathroom designs, shower base installations are the most sought after due to their ease in setting up, simplicity and yet quiet decorative look that it provides to a bathroom. Before getting it installed, make sure you go through shower base installation instructions thoroughly, inspect and measure the material that needs to be used before hand, and then start installing the shower base, to avoid any interruptions while the work is under way.