View Full Version : securing shower base
Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and is good to be here, thanks!
I'm sure this is no brainer for those of you who know their stuff but I don't have a clue...
I'm installing a MAAX (Neo-Angle) corner shower unit and I've just popped the base on top of the drain and completed the drain installation. The manual tells me to go on and glue the wall panels on. Doesn't the base somehow get screwed against the studs first? or the only thing that holds the base against the wall the is the drain itself?
any help on this would be much appreciated!
thanks
Gord
master plumber mark
03-10-2008, 11:58 PM
you have probably got some el-cheap-o shower base
from some hardware store for 200 bucks with the glass wall kit included
thats ok.....see them all the time
If you do this right the first time you are going to save yourself
a lot of misery and greif
the first thing you must do is USE A LEVEL to see if the base or floor
falling in any directioin....
You MUST level the base
or you could end up with a 1/2 inch
of water always standing in one of the corners not
wanting to flow into the drain like you want it to....
then you need to level up the base and its a good idea to
put some soupy concrete sand mix under the base to help level it up....
once you find your level groove for front back and center and have got it sitting in concrete.....then you can drill the
lip with a small drill bit and use some sort of brass drywall
screws to secure the base to the walls
sometimes its better to have the front lip off the ground a 1/2 inch
sitting in concrete if that makes it level
rather than to have a slope to the front of the ne-o-angle shower.
You can always shim up and hide the
concrete and gap in the front with plastic trim
if necessary
also...if you dont make it at least close to level,
when you finally put up the
el-cheap -o glass shower doors and walls ,
it will be hell to pay to get them to sit correctly on the base....
you can end up with a 1/2 inch gap on some conrer
that you cant do a thing with...except fill in with a thick
load of silicone to keep it from leaking
good luck
have fun
thanks mark,
the floor was not too bad, the base was sitting level on all but two small spots which i shimmed. i will, like you said, pick up a few brass screws and fasten the base to the studs.
"...you have probably got some el-cheap-o shower base
from some hardware store for 200 bucks with the glass wall kit included."
this was a pretty good guess, however for your information,i walked right past the el-cheapo-o for 200 bucks and forked out 180 for the complete el-crap-o model.:)
gord
this was a pretty good guess, however for your information,i walked right past the el-cheapo-o for 200 bucks and forked out 180 for the complete el-crap-o model.:)
goran
ROTFLMAO, good come back:p
I always try to fasten the base to the studs after the cement dries under the base just to avoid unwanted squeeking noises.
jadnashua
03-12-2008, 07:38 AM
Even a thick base can crack and flex if it is not fully supported...shims may keep the edges in place, but you stand all over the base...it needs support there too. That's why it is often suggested to embed it in the cement...sort of like setting a tile in mortar. Keeps things nice and level and makes it feel much more substantial and lasts longer. Nothing more annoying than the base flexing and possibly squeaking while in it and it doesn't do anything good for the finish - stress cracks can occur quickly.