Installing a shower tray.

[chainsaw_masochist]

A square shower tray that I am replacing has a hole in its surface. The tray is of a plastic/foam construction supported along three rows of bricks (two deep) along three of its four edegs. Should the tray be supported by four rows of bricks so all of its edges are supported evenly? Or should an additional brickwork be provided to brace the tray at its central point, where the hole has occurred?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[wiggikins]

Better on a 4"X3" frame with a3/4" plywood base!

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Better on a 4"X3" frame with a3/4" plywood base!

Well I could obtain some 18mm ply. Would it not be OK to use this between the brickwork and the tray? I would have thought that the existing would be at least as sturdy as 4"x 3"? Is this not the case?

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

A slight change of plan. Considering the generally unfavourable comments that plastic foam trays have received I have decided to install a 760mm square stone tray. Having taken out the original tray I can now see that the rearmost bricks did not quite reach the bottom of the original tray so it would only have been supported by two rows (one on each side). As the depth of the new tray is 50mm – the original was 185mm – I will need to make up for this loss of depth by using the 4" x 3" to run on top of the existing brickwork. I then intend to place the 18mm WPB on top of these and then the tray on top of the WBP. My description might sound as if the tray will now be too high but this is necessary due to the position of the waste. The questions I have are:

1. Does supporting the tray with just two rows of bricks and the 4" x 3" at the sides sound sufficient or should more brickwork be required?

2. What is the best way to secure the 4" x 3" to the brickwork?

3. Should the 18mm WPB be screwed to the 4" x 3" or cemented?

4. In removing the original tray I had to break some of the existing tiles. Is it necessary that these be in place prior to installing the tray or can this be dealt with afterwards?

Thanks again for any help offered.

.

 

[Bahco]

Read Faq no 48.

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Read Faq no 48.

Brilliant, Bahco. I seemed to miss that FAQ by about 7 minutes . This is very useful but I am still concerned as to whether it is acceptable to have the structure (clearly described in the FAQ) further supported on two rows of existing bricks. I am going to try to post a picture of my support structure. I may be gone for some time.

 

[Softus]

I've never seen a shower tray supported on bricks.

Is this suggested as a valid method within the manufacturer's installation instructions? If not, why would you even consider doing it?

 

[Bahco]

Why would you need bricks if you have a solid timber frame to put your tray onto

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

I've never seen a shower tray supported on bricks.

Neither had I until I removed the original tray. I understand that this tray was installed by a builder (hence the bricks) and been used without problem for around ten years.

Is this suggested as a valid method within the manufacturer's installation instructions? If not, why would you even consider doing it?

No, not in any instructions that I have read.

I wish to have the new stone tray (depth 50mm) installed at the same height as the original plastic/foam tray (depth 185mm), as to do otherwise will give rise to problems re the tiling. I have to make up for the lost depth one way or another. As the brickwork is in place I am asking as to whether it would be acceptable to use this as a the base platform upon which would be fixed the timber platform pictured and described in Bahco’s post.

Why would you need bricks if you have a solid timber frame to put your tray onto

The bricks are already there.

 

[Bahco]

If you really really want the bricks................

 

[Bahco]

As long as the bricks are cemented in and there are enough to sit the frame on so it does not move, I don't see a problem.

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Thanks very much, Bahco. Sorry to have been so brick-fixated.