Step by Step Guide for Installing a Shower Tray

The shower makes us feel good whether we use it in the morning before we start the day, or at night when it is time for us to rest. In summer, a cold bath for refreshment. In winter, a hot one is perfect for warming up. The right shower cubicle also plays an important role when it comes to saving energy, as water consumption is considerably lower than when bathing.

Tip: When installing and assembling your new shower, we recommend that you work in pairs.

Often, we doubt our craftsmanship and would rather have the shower tray installed by an expert. However, with this step by step procedure, you might do it properly on your own.

Tools You Need:

Read our review on the best cordless screwdrivers in 2018.

1. Various materials

In most cases, a shower consists of a shower cubicle, a shower tray, and tub support. These three components have different elements. Usually, polystyrene or metal is the element the tub support. The choice of support depends on the substrate because not every substrate is suitable for polystyrene.

Here we explain how to mount metal supports. These have the advantage that they are height-adjustable. Cabins are available in real glass or plastic glass. Please note the different installation instructions for the cabins.

2. Turn off the water supply

First, turn off the main tap of the water supply. Make sure that the pipes are empty and remove the old shower cubicle or bathtub. Remove the fitting and fit blind plugs. Now you can turn on the main tap of the water supply again.

3. Insert drain

Attach the drain fitting to the new shower tray and screw the drain filter into the drain hole provided.

4. Install drain pipes

First, attach an additional overflow to a deep shower tray and connect it to the siphon using plug-in pipes. Then, screw the drain pipe to the drain using all the seals provided. Align the downpipe in the direction of the main drain.

5. Mounting the support frame

Place the suction feet of the support frame under the shower tray and align the adjustable feet so that the tub is on its level. Use a spirit level for this purpose.

6. Connection and fixation

Now that you have joined the downpipe of the drain to the main drainage pipe with HT pipes (these are grey drain pipes), the feet can be fixed to the floor with ready-mixed mortar. Wait until the mortar has dried before carrying out any further work. You can attach brackets to the wall for additional support. Important: An electrician should always earth metal shower trays!

7. Covering

Plasterboard or cellular concrete is usually used to cover shower trays; saw it to size and wall it around the shower tray. Make sure to leave an inspection opening free, i.e., an opening for water access and drainage.

8. Tiles

Use a revision frame to maintain the revision opening – which must also be tiled.

9. Attaching the shower cubicle

The first step is to mount the wall profiles. Make sure that you align the wall profiles vertically (you can also use a spirit level here). When drilling the patterns, you should drill without impact. Otherwise, you might damage the tiles.

Tip: If you attach adhesive tape to the tile, you will prevent it from slipping off with the drill. The next step is to install the frame. Now connect the fixed wall elements of the framework to the wall profiles and align the construction correctly before screwing.

10. Doors

Typically, all you have to do is hang the shower doors into the fixed frame and align them. Glass or plastic is usually the components of common shower cubicle doors. Therefore, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

11. Joints

With sanitary silicone, you can grout all newly created expansion, corner and end joints between cabin construction and tiles. To smooth out the silicone, wet your thumb with detergent and trace the silicone trace with it. Attention with acrylic tubs: the silicone must be suitable for acrylic so that water damage won’t occur.

12. Showerhead

Now all you need for your finished shower is the shower set. For installation, please refer to the specific instructions of the respective manufacturer.

13. Remove dummy plugs

Remove the dummy plug, and finally, you must turn off the water again to remove the blind plugs. Install the fitting and check for leaks.