How to Insert Shower Stalls

Inserting a shower stall is easier with a second person to help guide the shower into the frame.

Shower stalls give bathrooms an updated and more modern look and feel, providing homeowners with room for a separate soaking tub to increase the value of the home. Shower stalls are available in several styles and finishes to match the homes décor and are available at lumber yards, home improvement and plumbing supply stores. Homeowners may choose to install the shower stall themselves to save on costly plumbing contractor fees. Before installing the plumbing, you must first insert the stall into the shower area. Some local building code enforcement agencies may require that a licensed plumber install the shower stall.

Things You'll Need

• 2-foot level
• Tape measure
• Felt roofing paper
• Utility knife
• 3/4-inch roofing nails
• Shower drain
• Marker
• 4 3/4-inch hole-saw drill bit
• Right angle power drill
• 4-foot level
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Power drill
• Screwdriver
• Power drill driver

Instructions

1. Lay a 2-foot level on the sub-floor where the shower stall is to be inserted to ensure that the sub-floor is level. Visually inspect the sub-floor for weakness or damage and correct before inserting the shower stall into place.

2. Measure the shower stall sub-floor area with a tape measure.

3. Cut a length of felt roofing paper with a utility knife to fit the shower stall sub-floor area. Attach the felt roofing paper to the sub-floor with 3/4-inch roofing nails and a hammer. The felt roofing paper acts as a moisture barrier preventing moisture from reaching the stud wall framing.

4. Attach felt roofing paper to the three stud framing walls with 3/4-inch roofing nails and a hammer. Extend the felt roofing paper 1-foot above the top of the shower stall mounting flange.

5. Install the new shower drain according to the shower drain manufacturer's instructions.

6. Measure the shower drain centered on the shower stall. Mark the sub-floor with a marker using the measurement taken from the shower stall drain center.

7. Drill a 4 3/4-inch hole in the center of the mark on the sub-floor with a hole-saw drill bit and a right angle power drill.

8. Push the shower stall at the bottom of the shower stall base into the framing area; slide the shower stall until the drain recesses into the hole drilled into the sub-floor. Gently push the shower stall back until it makes contact with the stud wall framing. Pushing too hard or trying to force the shower stall may result in the shower stall cracking and breaking.

9. Lay a 4-foot level on the sides of the shower stall walls and plumb the shower stall. Draw a line across the base of the shower stall onto the sub-floor. This method helps to keep the shower stall plumb when mounting the shower to the framing.

10. Drill a 1/8-inch hole in the shower stall mounting flange at every wall framing stud. Drill 1/8-inch holes every 2 inches down the vertical shower stall mounting flange.

11. Drive wood screws into the drilled holes in the shower stall mounting flanges with a screwdriver or power drill driver. Cover the flanges with drywall and your choice of trim.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a second person help you fit the shower stall into the framing.

References

• "The Family Handyman"; Install an Acrylic Tub and Tub Surround; October 2005
• Florestone: Florestone Model 32-2W Fiberglass SHower
• Fiat Products, Ltd.: MS 4836 and MS 4836-3 Shower Stall Installation Manual