Fitting shower tray

[chriselevate]

Hi,

I'm nearly ready to install my shower tray in my ensuite.

I've had a couple of dry runs to make sure that the drainage is ok and I can screw the trap down when in place.... so far so good.

I now need to bed it down but don't know how to do this. What products can I choose from to do this?

How do I go about doing this?

How do I make sure it's level?

Should apply PVA to some of the surfaces before going ahead?

I'm sure there's people on here who have done this dozens of times so I Just wondered if someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks

 

[dextrous]

You're a fast worker - not sure I can keep up with you

Personal preference is to apply PVA to the board (in your case ply) and let it soak in/dry for an hour or so - this will help prevent the floor soak up too much of the water from the mortar too quickly. Then use a fairly wet mortar base (3 or 4 parts sand to 1 cement with a bit of plasticiser mixed in), with ridges like they do when laying bricks. If the tray is heavy, put a couple of bits of timber along the floor to help slide it in without dislodging the mortar, which you can remove once the tray is in position.

Then use a spirit level along the sides/edges (not on the floor of the tray!) ang gently tap it with your hand or rubber mallet to get it level in both planes. Leave overnight to go off.

If you can squirt silicon down between the sides of the tray and the abutting walls while you fit the tray in place, then so much the better. In any case, squirt and push silicon down as well - you want to limit any chance of water ingress down there.

Don't forget to remove enough of the protective plastic cover before the tray goes in, to allow for silicon to glue to the walls and the finished surface of the tray, but don't take it all off yet. Then mask the edges of the tray and protect it from the forthcoming tanking if its not on already.

 

[chriselevate]

Brilliant!

Cheers pal.

I'll get some pics together for you to enjoy... it's coming on well!

Were you taking the micky about being a quick worker?!

Just a quick question about the mortar base.... what should it look like? How much and I putting down to sit it on? You say 'lay it like you would for bricks'.... how do you mean? Not sure what I'm aiming for.

Cheers mate!

 

[dextrous]

Were you taking the micky about being a quick worker?!

entirely

Just a quick question about the mortar base.... what should it look like? How much and I putting down to sit it on? You say 'lay it like you would for bricks'.... how do you mean? Not sure what I'm aiming for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-w9OkZ79j0 demonstrates ridges

You're aiming at getting about 10mm total coverage (or as close as dammit) over the whole of the base, so if you put ridges about 20mm high, then these will spread down into the troughs as you push/tap the tray down. These ridges also allow you a bit of play in order to get the tray level gradually.

 

[jefoss]

I'll get some pics together for you to enjoy...

the mods will delete those as its a family forum

 

[SeanTiler]

is your ensuite room a wooden floor or is it concrete? if its wooden and there is movement the mortar will eventually wear away and the tray will drop and put pressure on the waste pipe usually resulting in leaks, or breaking the grout silicon and resulting in water going everywhere. seen this happen so many times.

 

[dextrous]

is your ensuite room a wooden floor or is it concrete? if its wooden and there is movement the mortar will eventually wear away and the tray will drop and put pressure on the waste pipe usually resulting in leaks, or breaking the grout silicon and resulting in water going everywhere. seen this happen so many times.

I've been following the op's progress with this for a couple of months - he has installed new ply flooring on existing joists.

 

[chriselevate]

Cheers guys!

So the mortar mix will be Ok?

Yeah it's been on the go for two months but hey..... remember..... I've only probably spent 14 days on it because I've been away and had family down to stay. So I don't think it's bad progress really =)

Oh and one other thing..... am I tiling up to the shower tray or should I tile first and sit the tray on the tiles?

Cheers

 

[dextrous]

Tray in first, then tiles. Although if you feel like it you can leave the bottom layer of tiles off and do the rest of the wall first (saves having to be so extra careful with protecting the tray while you do the majority of the wall - especially if you need a ladder or steps to get up high.

What have you done about tanking the walls?

 

[SeanTiler]

Cheers guys!

So the mortar mix will be Ok?

Yeah it's been on the go for two months but hey..... remember..... I've only probably spent 14 days on it because I've been away and had family down to stay. So I don't think it's bad progress really =)

Oh and one other thing..... am I tiling up to the shower tray or should I tile first and sit the tray on the tiles?

Cheers

fit the tray first then tile upto it.

 

[chriselevate]

I went out today to Topps Tiles and managed to get the BAL tanking kit for £60 rather their £76.

So shall I paint it on from top to bottom? i.e. whee the tiles will be going and right down behind the back of the tray too?

How do you mean 'leave the bottom row of tiles off first' etc?

Not sure I understand what you mean?

I guess the questions that'll come next from me are.... how do I tile? People say to make a guide using a piece of timber and then they say to srew it to the wall etc.... is this needed with this? Any tips for how to get started?

I've still got two of the walls to plaster so it'll probably be a weekend job I'm looking at (for the tiling).

Cheers

 

[amsie]

Tanking all around shower and floor area prior to fitting tray!

How to tile? gosh, lol, oh well, this is a DIY forum.

Read this: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=77709

Also, try going to Tile Clearing House, they used to do a good leaflet for DIY'ers explaining the concept of centering walls etc.

Once you have read and digested it, feel free to ask specific questions which will be easier to answer.

dextrous meant that although you usually fit the tray first and tile upto it, you can if you want leave the tray out, tile the easy tiling first,avoiding potential damage to the tray, leaving out the tiles around the tray, then returning to fit the tray later and the final tile cuts around the tray.

 

[chriselevate]

Ahhh right... cool.

Thanks for that chaps!

I'll go grab a leaflet about the centering of tiles later today.

I am only tanking the wall area where the shower enclosure is going aren't I? I mean I don't need to tank the floor anywhere etc?

Can I ask a quick questions about products.....

I have a big tub of white star.... can I use this this for both the floor and the walls?

I also have a bag of microflex.... can I use this for both the wall and the floor?

The walls are all freshly plastered and the floor is made up of 22mm WBP ply.

One last question... Is there a way to colour the grout I've already got by adding a dye or aditive to the mix or do I need to bag of coloured grout... such as ivory colour?

Sorry this really is the last question..... is topps tiles good on prices for tiles? Or should I be asking them to knock some money off the total order price?

Yesterday I bought the tanking kit for £60 when they were selling it off the shelf for £76 - a nice saving made by your suggestions! Thanks again!

Cheers

 

[gcol]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-w9OkZ79j0 demonstrates ridges

I prefer this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQmn9Fhu7fo&feature=related

 

[chriselevate]

Thanks....

but does anyone know the answer to the previous questions? I'd like to go out and buy the materials this afternoon and choose the tiles with my wife but I really don't want to buy the wrong stuff or get ripped off.

Cheers