How to Install a Shower Tray

If you are considering a bathroom remodel and you are looking to replace your shower, you need to make sure to install a waterproof shower tray as well as the proper enclosure. Shower trays sit on the floor of the shower and provide the base. They come with a lip which prevents water from leaking out into your walls causing mold, mildew, and wood rot. Choosing a shower tray with a tile trim lip is the best way to go.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Sand
• Cement
• Bucket
• Trowel
• Thinset mortar
• Shower tray
• Drill motor
• Pan-head screws

1. Measure the dimensions of your shower floor. Shower trays come in many different sizes and colors. They usually come square, rectangular, or round. Choose the shower tray that fits your measured dimensions.

2. Place a 2-inch layer of sand on the floor of your shower. Add a 2-inch layer of cement. Smooth it out with a trowel. This creates an even base for your shower tray. It also seals any leaks on the shower floor. Keep the sand and the cement away from the drain. Let the cement dry for a day.

3. Apply a 1/4-inch layer of thinset mortar to the cement after it dries. The thinset is used as an adhesive to hold the shower tray in place.

4. Install the shower tray into the shower. Lay it on top of the prepared shower floor, lined up with the shower drain. The shower tray comes already sloped so the water runs to the drain. There is no need to angle it when setting it in place.

5. Pre-drill 2 holes in the top of the lip on each side of the tray. Space them evenly apart. Insert pan-head screws into the holes to secure the tray.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wait until after your shower tray is installed before tiling the walls to prevent gaps.

• Be careful not to drop your shower tray. Never install a damaged tray.