Cody Casey
Installing a pre-pitch and pan liner is a crucial step in creating a functional and durable shower. The pre-pitch tool ensures the sub-floor has the correct slope to guide water towards the drain's weep holes, preventing water ponding, mould, and bacteria growth. The pan liner is then installed on top, with proper measurements and securing methods, to create a waterproof barrier. This process requires careful preparation, specific tools, and attention to detail to ensure effective drainage and avoid leaks.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation order | Pre-Pitch should be installed first |
| Sub-floor levelling | Only level the sub-floor if necessary, i.e., when it is not reasonably flat and level |
| Sub-floor levelling tools | Use a self-levelling compound or other means of levelling |
| Tools | Sticks, PVC pipe cutters, hacksaw, dry diamond blade grinder, 2-sided tape, screws or nails |
| Stick spacing | Stick ends should be spaced less than 2 1/2 feet apart |
| Pre-Pitch positioning | The thin end of Pre-Pitch should be kept about 1/2 inch back from the edge of the drain's bottom flange |
| Slope | A 2% slope is required for liners |
| Slope tools | Mortar or Oatey's Perfect Slope |
| Slope measurement | Pour mortar onto the subfloor at 1/4 inch per foot sloped inward from the wall framing to the top of the drain base |
| Slope curing | Leave the mortar bed to cure according to mortar instructions |
| Slope trimming | Trim the Perfect Slope to your shower dimensions, as well as around the drain for a flush fit |
| Slope placement | Place Perfect Slope flat with the printed side facing upwards without using adhesives |
| Pre-Pitch attachment | Pre-Pitch should be attached to the sub-floor on wood sub-floor installations |
| Liner attachment | Use a staple gun or hammer and nails to attach the liner |
| Liner waterproofing | Use liquid waterproofing to eliminate worries of seams and corners |
| Drain | Use Oatey 130 Series Tile Shower Drain |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Prepare the slope
Preparing the slope is a crucial step in ensuring your pre-pitch and pan liner installation is successful. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the slope:
Firstly, assess the condition of your sub-floor. If your sub-floor is not reasonably flat and level, it is necessary to level it using a self-levelling compound or other suitable means. This step is essential to ensure the slope sits securely and evenly on the sub-floor.
Next, determine the layout of the pre-pitch sticks. Pre-pitch sticks are used to create the slope and should be spaced strategically to accommodate the unique shape of your floor. Mark each stick that needs to be cut to length, allowing for the specific dimensions of your space. The sticks should be cut with PVC pipe cutters, a hacksaw, or a dry diamond blade grinder. Ensure that the spacing between the stick ends is less than 2.5 feet apart to facilitate easier screeding.
When placing the pre-pitch sticks, position them on top of your sub-floor or cement floor. The thin end of each stick should remain approximately half an inch back from the edge of the drain's bottom flange. This precise positioning will ensure that water is directed towards the drain effectively.
If you are working with a concrete sub-floor, use two-sided tape to secure the pre-pitch sticks in place while the area is being filled with mud. Alternatively, if you have a wooden sub-floor, use screws or nails to fasten the pre-pitch sticks securely to the floor. It is important to ensure that the screws or nails are countersunk to prevent puncturing the liner.
By carefully following these steps, you will effectively prepare the slope for your pre-pitch and pan liner installation, ensuring proper drainage and mitigating the risk of water ponding, mould, and mildew issues.
Washer Drain Pan: How It Protects Your Home
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Measure and cut the pan liner
To measure and cut the pan liner, follow these steps:
First, ensure that the pre-sloped mortar bed or Perfect Slope is dry and free of debris. Make a five-inch mark up from the curb onto the wall framing. Take measurements from that mark down to the mortar bed to determine the application height. It is important to ensure that your sub-floor is level. If it is not, use a levelling compound or other means of levelling.
Next, lay the shower pan liner on a flat surface and measure the length and width of the mortar bed. Mark these dimensions on the liner. When measuring, use a soft tape measure for more accurate measurements and note dimensions to the quarter-inch. Always record the length first if you plan to cut it first to avoid confusion.
Finally, cut the pan liner according to your markings. Cut the liner with PVC pipe cutters, a hacksaw, or a dry diamond blade grinder. When cutting, ensure that the stick ends are spaced less than 2 1/2 feet apart to make screeding easier. The thin end of the Pre-Pitch should remain about 1/2 inch back from the edge of the drain's bottom flange.
Basting Steak in a Pan: Quick, Easy, Delicious!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Install the pan liner
To install a pan liner, begin by preparing the slope. You can do this by pouring mortar onto the subfloor at 1/4 inch per foot, sloping inward from the wall framing to the top of the drain base. Alternatively, you can use Oatey's Perfect Slope, which can save time and is recommended for those without expertise in creating a perfectly sloped shower bed out of mortar.
Next, you will need to install the drain base and measure the scrap pan liner for the curb. Cut the pan liner to size and install it, folding the corners and securing the liner to the rough framing. It is important to note that when working with a wood subfloor, you should use screws or nails to secure the liner, ensuring they are countersunk so they do not puncture the liner.
After installing the pan liner, you can assemble the drain base and install the dam corners. Before moving on to the next steps, it is crucial to perform a flood test to ensure your shower bed is watertight. Leave the adhesives to cure overnight, then pour water into the shower bed at a height equal to that of the curb. Let the water sit for at least two hours. If there are no leaks, the surrounding area is dry, and water is not leaking from the ceiling (if on an upper floor), then your shower bed has passed the flood test.
Cooking Chicken from Frozen in Your Hot Pot: A Quick and Tasty Solution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Assemble the drain base
To assemble the drain base, start by placing the drain base into a pre-made hole. A 4-1/2 inch hole is recommended for Oatey tile shower drains. Screw the flange to the subfloor. If your drain is pre-assembled, loosen the bolts connecting the clamping ring to the flange and remove the ring, but leave the drain plug in place. If you don't have a drain plug, use duct tape to cover the drain hole.
Next, apply plumber's caulk or silicone caulk around the surface of the inner flange. Then, drape the pan liner over the mortar bed and the drain base, ensuring the wall-facing edges are folded according to the length of the application height. Make sure the liner is centred before locating the drain plug. Cut X shapes over the bolts that the clamping ring screws into and cut a hole over the drain hole. Fold the liner halfway over to expose the drain base, then fold it back and push the bolts through the X shapes. Screw the clamping ring down over the bolts and tighten them until the ring has a snug fit against the liner.
Now, bolt down the top half of the drain assembly. Cover the top of the drain with masking tape or duct tape to protect the plumbing. Attach the cement board to the walls over the vinyl liner. Cut and lay the galvanized expanded metal lath on top of the liner, ensuring it doesn't touch the cement board walls. Cover the lath with another layer of mortar, maintaining the same slope.
Finally, perform a flood test. Insert a pneumatic or mechanical test plug into the drain. Fill the shower with water just below the flood level or slightly below the curb. Leave it for at least four hours, then check for leaks. If there are leaks, repair and retest until the installation is leak-free.
Cleaning Oxidized Pans: Dishwasher Disasters and Solutions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Secure the pan liner
To secure the pan liner, start by measuring the length of the curb and cutting the liner to size. Then, staple this piece of liner over the top and to both exposed sides of the curb.
If you are using a pre-sloped mortar bed, pour the mortar onto the subfloor at 1/4 inch per foot, sloped inward from the wall framing to the top of the drain base. Leave the mortar bed to cure according to the instructions. Alternatively, you can use Oatey's Perfect Slope, which should be placed flat with the printed side facing upwards without using adhesives.
Once the mortar bed or Perfect Slope is dry and free of debris, make a five-inch mark up from the curb onto the wall framing. Take measurements from that mark down to the mortar bed to determine the application height. Lay the shower pan liner on a flat surface and measure and mark the total length and width of the mortar bed. Cut the pan liner according to your markings.
Finally, fold the corners of the pan liner and secure it to the rough framing. Adhere the pan liner to the curb and install the dam corners.
Preventing Pan Warping: Tips for Perfectly Flat Cookware
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Pre-Pitch is a tool that creates a proper sub-floor pitch underneath the pan liner to direct water flow towards the weep holes in the shower floor drain.
First, determine if the sub-floor is level. If not, use a levelling compound. Then, lay out how many sticks you will need to accommodate the floor's shape and cut them to length. Finally, secure Pre-Pitch with tape, screws, or nails.
A shower pan liner is a waterproof layer installed underneath tiles in a shower to prevent leaks.
First, prepare the slope using mortar or a product like Oatey's Perfect Slope. Then, measure and cut the pan liner. Finally, install the pan liner and perform a flood test.
You will need a shower pan liner kit, tile shower drain, wrench, mortar, silicone caulk, a marker, measuring tape, a utility knife, and a staple gun or hammer and nails.
![Katbite 16x24 inch Heavy Duty Parchment Paper Sheets, 100Pcs Precut Non-Stick Full Parchment Sheets for Baking, Cooking, Grilling, Frying and Steaming, Full Sheet Baking Pan Liners [Advanced Series]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71xp-2Cs1QL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
