Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom or building one from scratch, shower pan installation is a key step to a leak-free floor. Depending on your skill level, it’s a task you can complete on your own with a little elbow grease and a lot of patience and preparation.
If you’re converting a tub to a shower or replacing a shower pan, it might be best to call in a professional plumber to ensure the job gets done right the first time. But if you feel confident about making this installation on your own, follow this DIY step-by-step guide.
Prepping to Install a Shower Pan
Preparation is everything when it comes to DIY projects, and shower pan installation is no exception. Before you add a shower pan to your shopping cart, it helps to evaluate the space you’re working with and what it will require. When working with an existing bathroom, pay attention to what side your drain line is on and purchase a shower pan that has a drain in the same place. That way, you can avoid multiple trips to the hardware store and a days-worth of headaches.
Make Plumbing Adjustments
If you’re replacing an existing bathtub with a shower, you likely have a 1 1/2-inch pipe, which is smaller than the pipes required for a shower. To avoid overflowing, you’ll need to replace the tub pipe with a 2-inch pipe or bring over a 2-inch line from the toilet or your main water line. Once you have the right plumbing in place, you can move on to the shower pan installation.
Your shower pan serves an important role in your bathroom—it helps drain water and protect your subfloor from water damage. In short, it acts as a barrier to mold, mildew, or other dangerous elements that can damage your home. To perform your own shower installation, follow these steps for a DIY project done right.
Measure the Space
Photo: ungvar / Adobe Stock
Accurate measurements will help your new shower pan installation run seamlessly. To start, determine the length and width of your space with a tape measure so you know what size pan to purchase.
Clean and Prepare the Area
Since you want to have a perfectly level shower pan, you want to avoid fitting the pan over any debris or other elements that could compromise how it sits. So set aside time to thoroughly clean the bathroom floor and the shower. Your shower walls should also be as clear as possible so that nothing gets damaged during the installation.
Dry-Fit the Pan
Photo: yunava1 / Adobe Stock
Now that you’ve properly prepped your space, it’s time to make sure the shower pan fits before installing it. Set the pan in place and ensure the edge of the base is sitting level and that the drain holes line up correctly. If it’s not level, use shims to adjust it and mark spots on the studs for reference. It also helps to put pieces of cardboard around the pan and walk on it to make sure it’s stable.
If the drain holes don’t line up, you may need to trace the hole on the subfloor and cut around the hole with a jigsaw. If you don’t have a jigsaw or feel comfortable using one, now is the time to call it quits and enlist the help of a professional plumber.
Attach the Drain Fitting
Once the shower pan is dry-fitted, insert the drain flange into the pan. Make sure it’s flush with the pan, then seal it with plumber’s putty under the rim. Once your sealant is in place, screw the flange onto the pan and wipe away any excess putty.
Then, finish attaching the drain body with gaskets or washers, depending on the instructions on your drain-fitting kit. Now that the drain flange is secure, you can remove the shower pan to prepare for installation.
Prepare the Subfloor
Photo: ungvar / Adobe Stock
If your shower pan has feet, then you should pay special attention to where the feet will go. Install composite shims and make sure your pan will be level when installed.
In case your shower pan does not have feet, grab a level and see if the flooring has any unexpected slopes. Mark any areas that you find and prepare the self-leveling compound. To prepare the compound, you’ll usually use a 1/2” electric drill and paddle, but refer to the instructions on the packaging. Pour the compound in the sloped areas, use a gage rake to smooth it out, and finish up with a trowel.
Set the Pan
Once the subfloor is ready, you can set the pan. If your shower pan has feet, use the provided clips to attach the feet to the studs. In case there are no clips, then use flange locks instead.
If your shower pan doesn’t have feet, find out if installation requires adhesive or mortar. Apply the adhesive or the mortar, and then place the shower pan onto the floor. Use pressure and use a level to check that it’s properly in place. Once you’re satisfied with the placement, screw it into place.
Check for Leaks
Pour water into the pan to test the drain. If you have access, look at the space below the pan to make sure water isn’t leaking below the surface. If your installation passes the leak test, you can move on to applying finishing touches, including a faucet valve and a showerhead.
DIY Shower Pan Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a shower pan on your own requires several tools and steps, so it may be worth hiring a shower installer near you to tackle this project. Calling in an expert can be especially helpful if you’re replacing a previous bathtub, since installing a shower may require reconfiguring your plumbing. These pros have the best tools, materials, and experience to complete this project in less time and likely with more accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—shower pans and shower bases are two very different pieces, although you’ll need to account both when figuring out your bathroom remodel costs. A shower pan acts as an actual floor to your shower, whereas a shower base is the structure that goes underneath the shower floor. Shower bases help direct water into the drain and provide a level surface for the shower pan, plus they protect shower walls and floors from water damage. You should install a shower base before shower pans.
Signs that you should replace an old shower pan include visible cracks in the pan, water spilling onto the bathroom floor, moisture stains in the walls or ceiling, and movement in the pan. If you feel buckling or warping when stepping from side to side in the shower, that’s a clear sign that it’s time for a new shower pan.
Shower pans last 10 to 45 years depending on the material they’re made from. There’s a chance that your shower pan can have these problems long before the end of its usual lifespan if it’s installed incorrectly.
You can help your shower pan last longer with proper cleaning, which you can do with a cleaner or with vinegar, baking soda, or dish soap.
Yes, your shower pan goes underneath your tiling and helps make sure that excess water does not seep into the floor. Without the shower pan under your tile, water will seep through the grout, and into the flooring. This will eventually lead to mold growth and serious water damage that could cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
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