Tillie Doyle
Installing a shower pan involves several steps, from preparing the subfloor to ensuring the shower drain connection is watertight. Similarly, installing a washing machine drain pan involves turning off the water supply, disconnecting the supply hoses, and adjusting the pan for the drain pipe to fit. This process can vary depending on the type of pan and the specific requirements of the installation.
How to Install a Pan:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of pan | Shower pan or Washing Machine Drain Pan |
| Installation process | Depends on the type of pan and the surface it is being installed on |
| Surface requirements | The surface should be flat, level, and waterproofed |
| Tools and materials | Drill, adhesive or mortar, caulk, pliers, bucket, dolly, hacksaw, etc. |
| Pre-installation steps | Dry-fit the pan, mark and drill holes, disconnect water supply, move away the machine |
| Post-installation steps | Test for leaks, adjust the drain pipe, wipe away excess caulk, let adhesives cure |
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What You'll Learn
Ensure the subfloor is level
To ensure that the subfloor is level, you must first check if it is uneven. If your subfloor is plywood or particleboard, screw down any loose boards or plywood sheets. Add more wood screws to secure them and replace any nails with screws. If you are levelling a floor made of wood, you will need to sand down any high spots. Be sure to wear a dust mask and use painter's tape to tape plastic sheeting over doors and air vents to prevent the spread of dust.
If your subfloor is uneven, you can use a self-levelling compound. Self-levelling compounds can be used on concrete floors, wood subfloors that are uneven but still in good shape, and even over ceramic tile floors. When using a self-levelling compound, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to use a self-levelling compound that adheres to the substrate you are installing it over. You can also use an underlayment, floor leveller, or floor patch product to fix low spots in a wood or concrete subfloor.
If you are installing a shower pan, you will need to check that the entire bottom of the pan is sitting on a flat, level surface. Check the subfloor area from left to right and from front to back to make sure it is level. If the subfloor is not flat and level, apply a self-levelling compound, following the manufacturer's instructions. Run the self-levelling compound up to the line you drew around the edge of the shower pan. Screw a piece of 1x2 along the line to act as a dam if necessary. This will keep the self-levelling compound contained within the shower pan area. Allow the self-levelling compound to cure per the manufacturer's instructions.
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Waterproofing the shower pan
The shower pan liner is the most critical component in ensuring a watertight shower. It protects the porous shower wall framing and lower floor layers from water permeation and mould outbreaks. Before installing the shower pan liner, you must prepare the slope. You can do this with mortar or a product such as Oatey's Perfect Slope. If you choose to use mortar, pour it onto the subfloor at 1/4 inch per foot, sloping inward from the wall framing to the top of the drain base. Leave the mortar bed to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you opt for Oatey's Perfect Slope, trim it to your shower dimensions and fit it around the drain.
Once the slope is prepared, you can install the shower pan liner. Oatey's shower pan liner kits come with one liner and two corner dams, suitable for right or left corner installations. After installing the pan liner, adhere it to the curb and install the dam corners. It is important to note that you should not use felt paper with the pan liner, as the petroleum in the felt paper can react with the liner and cause it to crack or become brittle, leading to leaks.
After installing the pan liner and allowing the adhesives to cure overnight, perform a flood test to ensure your shower bed is watertight. Pour water into the shower bed at a height equal to that of the curb and let it sit for at least two hours. If there are no leaks, the water level will remain unchanged, the surrounding area will be dry, and there will be no water leaking from the ceiling (if on an upper floor). Once you have confirmed that your shower bed is watertight, you can move on to the next stages of your shower installation, including choosing your drain and drain height and applying a mortar base on top of the pan liner.
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Preparing the slope
Firstly, ensure your subfloor is level. Check the subfloor area from left to right and from front to back to confirm it is completely flat and level. If the subfloor is uneven, apply a self-leveling compound, adhering to the manufacturer's instructions. This compound should be compatible with the substrate you are installing it on, such as OSB, cement board, or plywood. Run the compound up to the reference line drawn along the edge of the shower pan on the subfloor. If necessary, screw a piece of 1x2 along the line to act as a dam to contain the compound within the shower pan area. Allow the compound to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Once the subfloor is level, you have two main options for preparing the slope: using mortar or Oatey's Perfect Slope. If you opt for mortar, pour it onto the subfloor, creating a 1/4-inch-per-foot slope that inclines inward from the wall framing towards the top of the drain base but not over it. Allow the mortar bed to cure according to the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, Oatey's Perfect Slope can save you time and effort. Install it onto the subfloor, trimming it to fit your shower dimensions and around the drain for a seamless fit.
After preparing the slope, you can continue with the shower pan installation process. Remember to test for leaks by pouring water into the shower bed and checking if the water level drops or if there is any surrounding moisture. A watertight shower pan is essential to prevent water damage and mould issues.
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Installing the drain pipe
Next, dry-fit the shower pan by placing it in the desired location. Draw a reference line on the subfloor along the edge of the shower pan. Drill holes in the flange at each stud location and check if the shower drain hole aligns with the existing shower drain. Test-fit the shower drain flange, also known as the "drain basket" or "drain body," to ensure it fits securely with the shower base.
Now, we can move on to the steps specifically for installing the drain pipe. First, establish a connection to the drain line. The goal is to connect the PVC fitting from the drain pan to the PVC fitting that ties into the drain line. Use PVC piping that can be cut to the appropriate length and diameter to bridge the gap between the two fittings. You may need an adapter to achieve the correct connection.
Before joining the PVC pieces, it is important to prepare the pipe ends. Wipe down the pipe ends to remove any loose particles that could interfere with a complete seal. Test-fit the PVC pieces to ensure a snug and flush connection.
Apply PVC primer to the outside of the male end and the inside of the female end of the PVC pieces. Liberally apply the primer in a circular motion, building up multiple layers. The primer softens the PVC material, allowing the cement or glue to create a strong bond.
After applying the primer, immediately apply the cement or glue using the dauber from the PVC cement container. Insert the male end into the female joint and twist approximately 90 degrees. Maintain pressure on the joint for at least 30 seconds to prevent the pieces from separating.
Once the connection between the drain pan fitting and the drain line fitting is secure, allow the bond to seal before testing water drainage.
For a washing machine drain pan, the process is slightly different. First, turn off the water supply hoses, unplug the machine, and disconnect the supply and drain hoses. Use a dolly to move the machine away from the installation area. If installing a new pan, you may need to install a drain pan pipe using a hacksaw. Adjust the pan as necessary for the drain pipe to fit into the floor or wall drain opening.
Some pans have a knockout for a drain attachment, while others require you to drill a hole. If drilling, locate the hole closer to the bottom of the pan. Insert a male adapter through the hole and run the pipe to the exterior, ensuring it is gravity-fed with no rise to prevent the pan from overflowing.
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Checking for leaks
To check for leaks in a shower pan, start by filling the pan with water to a depth of exactly one inch. Make sure to measure the depth near the edge, so you can easily measure again later. Then, wait and remeasure the water level after eight hours. If the water level has dropped, or there is leakage in or around the shower stall, the pan is leaking. The leak could be in the pan itself or the seal between the drain and the pan.
If you are experiencing high water bills, it is important to act fast and identify the source of the leak. While there are many ways a shower can leak, the shower pan is often the source, and its leaks are the most costly. It is recommended to hire a professional to confirm the cause of the leak and fix it.
To check for leaks in an oil pan, look for symptoms such as a puddle of oil under the vehicle, low oil levels, or a smoking or burning smell coming from the engine compartment. If you suspect a leak, clean the oily area with brake parts cleaner and allow it to dry. Then, spray white foot powder or an equivalent all over the suspected leak area and start the engine. Usually, you will be able to spot the leak right away.
When installing a new shower pan, it is important to ensure that the entire bottom of the pan is sitting on a flat, level surface. Check the subfloor area from left to right and from front to back to make sure it is level. If the subfloor is not level, apply a self-leveling compound and allow it to cure. After installing the shower pan, test the connection between the pan and the shower drain for leaks. Once you have confirmed that there are no leaks, you can move on to installing the shower walls.
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