Shower tray on new floor boards

[tomsim]

Was looking at priming the floor with sbr bond and installing a shower tray on new floor boards in a bathroom. Was looking at a weak mix of sand and cement. My question is this will have a day 15- 20mm bed? If the floor is then getting lino fitted this wouldn't cover to a height that woul stop the sand and cement bed still being visible.

 

[Madrab]

I wouldn't lay a tray directly onto floor boards, worst case it would be a 5mm hardwood ply, screwed at 50mm. Then tank the board and wall. Also depending on the tray type and given it's a suspended floor (I take it), I wouldn't be using sand a cement, it's proven not to be the best at absorbing the natural flex and movement inherent in a that type of floor. There are now more modern alternatives, that would be better suited IMO.

If you wish to use a cementitious type of bed then a flexible tile adhesive wouldn't be my choice. Polymer adhesives may also be suitable, especially with flat bottomed resin trays and where the floor in nice, new and flat.

 

[tomsim]

I just thought most instructions that come with the tray suggest sand and cement mix

 

[denso13]

I just thought most instructions that come with the tray suggest sand and cement mix

Yes, but flexible floor tile adhesive works just as well and is much easier to work with.

 

[Madrab]

Nope - for every tray I install that suggest S&C other suggest different methods for setting the tray down onto. Sand and cement is a certainly an old school method to bed a tray but that can be difficult to get right and there are much easier products to use these days.

I can't remember the maker of the tray but one that was a lightweight, pu cored tray with a ribbed base that even suggested that expanding foam could be used -

 

[denso13]

Always used it with no issues on different trays. It is generally to hand anyway when fitting complete bathrooms.

 

[johnny2007]

Flexible tile adhesive.
Used on all trays I ever fitted and they're still there.

 

[Madrab]

The only thing that needs to be thought about for the DIY'er is warranty, if the MI's aren't followed then hard to go back and complain if there's an issue with the tray. Not as much of an issue to me as I warranty the install, so if the bedding medium fails then it's for me to sort.

 

[tomsim]

Can I ask why the recommendation to over board with 6mm ply?

 

[tomsim]

There new floorboards the whole bathroom has been reboarded

 

[foxhole]

6mm cement board screwed and glued , then you can use adhesive to fix tray , a white Uvpc quadrant to hide the additional height.

 

[yorksbuilder]

6mm cement board screwed and glued , then you can use adhesive to fix tray , a white Uvpc quadrant to hide the additional height.

Exactly this. Use tile adhesive or polymer type adhesive. I think at some point the sand and cement manufacturers instructions will get updated for the modern world

 

[tomsim]

Can I ask the benefit of the cement board? Is it to make it water proof? Then use flexible tile adhesive?

 

[tomsim]

Which regards to the white uPVC the tray is a quadrant if this effects that

 

[Razor900]

Exactly this. Use tile adhesive or polymer type adhesive. I think at some point the sand and cement manufacturers instructions will get updated for the modern world

Its in the manufacturers interwst not to update them so they can continue denying warranty claims.

Once the majority say it though the others will have to follow suit.

One bit of advice OP. Shim the tray up level in the garden and test for fall before you fit it because an awful lot of trays dont seem fit for purpose ATM and if its been installed then found out to have incorrect fall they won't be interested