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How To Install a Shower Base & Panel Kit

Shower Panel and Base Installation
A walking-in shower can add the convenience of an extra bathroom in a much smaller space.If you have access to a drain pipe, then it is relatively simple to add the shower base and surround.

Note: A shower installation only (without a tub) is considered a 3/4 bathroom and does not add as much to the value of the house as a full bathroom.

What you need Tools: Saw, level, pencil, caulk gun, bucket, spade, pliers, and drill. Materials: Shower base, shower panel kit, wood screws, dish soap, dry-set mortar, tub & tile caulk, rags, and panel adhesive

Installing the Shower Base

1. Starting with drain pipe, trim the pipe according to the shower base manufacturer?s recommendations. This is usually near or slightly above floor level.

2. Prepare the shower drain piece as directed by the manufacturer, and attach it to the drain opening of the shower base.

3. Mix together a bucket of dry-set mortar, then pour over shower base subfloor creating a 1 inch layer . 4. Put dish soap on the outside of both the drain pipe in the floor and the rubber gasket of the drain tailpiece ( to make it stip together easily).

5. Set the shower base over area and slowly press down until the rubber gasket fits securely over the drain pipe.

6. Firmly press the shower base into the mortar while adjusting to maintain a level surface.

7. Anchor the shower base by drilling screws through shower base flanges into side walls, and let mortar dry for 8 hours. The shower base should not more than 3/8 inch above the floor of the tile will not cover the distance between the shower and floor. If you are installing lenolium then the gap must be less than 1/8 inch.

Installing the Shower Panel Walls

1. First screw the mounting strips for the shower door frame to the sides of the shower opening.

2. Make a template for marking pipe hole locations within the shower panels using the carton that came with the kit or a heavy piece of paper. Draw holes for both faucet handles and the shower head.

3. Place the template over the shower panel and saw or drill holes through the panel. Use plywood to support the area near cutting to help keep the panel from cracking.

4. According to the directions in the kit, assemble panels before placing into shower area.

5. Apply thick beads of panel adhesive to the walls of shower alcove and to the door frame mounting strips.

6. Gently slide the shower panels into the alcove and press against the walls.

7. Release the panels away from the walls for a moment, then press back into place to even out any bumps.

8. Take scraps of lumber and line with extra carpet or rags

9. Create a brace by holding the lumber parallel to shower panels while wedging a length of lumber between the sides of shower panel.

10. Allow the adhesive to set for 24 hours before removing any panel braces.

11. Attach all faucet handles, the shower arm, and shower head.

12. Caulk the seams between the panels and around the base of shower using tub and tile caulk.


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