Help installing shower unit

saversfriend

Hi All,

I have a corner shower unit like this one... http://alturl.com/dwyfh

It was installed by a plumber two years ago. Unfortunately the majority of the work he did was very poor. Last night, I discovered that the actual tray had moved (I think due to unstability as the legs were out as far as possible rather than being placed on blocks of wood to raise shower as necessary).

The result of the movement is that the sealant has broken in places and I'm going to need to reinstall it from scratch. I will make sure it is raised properly on blocks this time, with just minor adjustments made with the legs.

I am fairly confident in how to put it in but was wandering if anyone has any tips for doing this and making sure it stays watertight?

Any advice greatly appreciated - Thank you!

P.S. - I will also take the opportunity to replace the carpet with vinyl and will fix it so that if there is another leak it will run into the room and be easiliy discovered.

P.P.S. - I will also raise it furthur up as it is slightly too low and water sometimes comes up when emptying sink (another mistake by the plumber).

tlh858

Shower trays should not be mounted on legs, and those which are supplied with legs are typically of very poor quality.
The proper method is to construct a timber platform, the top being made from thick plywood, and the tray is then set into a cement mix on top of the plywood. This ensures the whole thing is properly supported and won't move or flex.

If water comes out of the tray when using the sink, there are other problems with the plumbing. Raising the tray will not help at all.

T_T_2

tlh858 wrote: »

Shower trays should not be mounted on legs, and those which are supplied with legs are typically of very poor quality.

That's a bit of a broad statement and not at all true. There are a number of reliable and well constructed trays out there where riser kits/legs can be used providing that they are installed correctly.

keystone

tlh858 wrote: »

If water comes out of the tray when using the sink, there are other problems with the plumbing. Raising the tray will not help at all.

Yes the basin and the shower are sharing the same waste pipe. Not good practice.

Cheers

T_T_2

keystone wrote: »

Yes the basin and the shower are sharing the same waste pipe. Not good practice.

Cheers

It's when brown water starts coming up that the real worries start!

keystone

tlh858 wrote: »

and the tray is then set into a cement mix on top of the plywood. This ensures the whole thing is properly supported and won't move or flex.

for a stone resin tray thats absolutely correct. I can't see the necessity with a plastic one.

Cheers

saversfriend

Thank you for the suggestions,

I think I will look at building it a timber platform.

The reason for the height increase is that shower and sink flow into a macerator which suggests shower should be above a set height to stop aforementioned overflow of water.

keystone

theragingbullock wrote: »

Thank you for the suggestions,
shower and sink flow into a macerator .

Oh dear.

Cheers

phill99

theragingbullock wrote: »

shower and sink flow into a macerator

Lord, have mercy on you.

southcoastrgi

full info in the orginally post is always helpful, which in turn stops everyone giving advice which then in turn is possibly wrong

saversfriend

southcoastrgi wrote: »

full info in the orginally post is always helpful, which in turn stops everyone giving advice which then in turn is possibly wrong

In fairness, I never really asked about the plumbing info - merely requested advice on how best to reinstall the tray properly.

Anyway - as I never gave an update, I'd mention that I took advice from this page and built a wooden base which the legs sit on. Everything is fine. Oh, and the water flowing back problem has been resolved too.