Shower Stalls Installation

Shower stalls work well in bathrooms with limited space.

Shower stalls are generally one-piece fiberglass units with an acrylic enamel finish. Shower stalls use less space, making them well-suited for smaller bathrooms. Shower stalls can be tailored to fit the bathroom; there are several styles of shower stalls such as corner, hexagonal- and pentagonal-shaped shower stalls. Shower stalls are available in many colors and have many options such as steam shower, built-in seats and grab bars. Placing the unit in close proximity to the shower stall's final location before framing will aid in the shower unit installation.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Felt roofing paper
• Utility knife
• Half-inch roof nails
• Hammer
• Power drill
• Hole saw drill bit
• Mortar
• Smooth trowel
• 2-foot level
• Wooden shims
• 5/32-inch drill bit
• No. 6 galvanized nails
• Kitchen and bath caulk

Instructions

1. Measure the shower area subfloor with a tape measure. Transfer the measurement to a piece of felt roofing paper, and cut the paper with a utility knife.

2. Lay the felt paper in place onto the subfloor, and mark the area of the shower drain. Cut the marked area out of the felt paper, and fasten the paper to the subfloor with half-inch roofing nails.

3. Drive the roofing nails in with a hammer, using one nail for every six to eight inches. The felt paper makes contact with the subfloor, preventing the shower stall from squeaking.

4. Drill the shower faucet holes in the shower stall plumbing wall with a power drill and hole saw drill bit according to the shower faucet manufacturer's installation instructions.

5. Install the shower drain onto the shower stall. Apply a bed of mortar or plaster to the subfloor area, and spread the mortar evenly with a smooth trowel. The bed of mortar or plaster supports the bottom of the shower stall.

6. Slide the shower stall fully into the shower framing pocket.

7. Lay a 2-foot level across the top of the shower threshold to level, and plumb the threshold. Level and plumb the sidewalls and the top of the shower, adding wooden shims as needed to plumb the shower stall.

8. Drill holes through the side and top-mounting flanges with a 5/32-inch drill bit and a power drill to create pilot holes for easier installation. Drill one hole for each wall stud along the tops and every six inches along the side mounting flanges.

9. Drive large-headed No. 6 galvanized nails into the drilled holes on the flanges with a hammer.

10. Connect the shower drain waste piping to the shower drain. Install the faucet face plate, trim, handle and shower head onto the shower stall.

11. Caulk the shower trim plate with kitchen and bath caulk where it meets the shower stall wall.

12. Turn the shower faucet on, allow the water to flow over and into the shower drain and check the underside shower drain for leaks.

References

• Florestone: Florestone Fiberglass Shower
• Shower Stall; Build Your Own Shower Stall; September 2009