Fitting Stone Shower Tray (A tale of woe)

[kstandsteve]

Ok I have read many threads on here and yes it seems these should be bedded on an even layer of sand/cement mortar. Then levelled and left to harden. Hey what could be easier!

The reality however is somewhat different. Well it was for me.

I installed my marine ply base spot on level - great.

Mixed the mortar and spread an even layer over the 1m x 0.8m area - This is so easy!

Thats when it all goes pear shaped.

Bolstered by a breakfast of 3 weetabix I lift the tray (it is slightly heavy!) and man handle to the shower area. At this point I would mention the cubicle is enclosed on 3 sides. At this point I am thinking that maybe there is an easier way!

Proceeding I place (drop) the tray onto the mortar taking care not to lose all my fingers against the stud walls and push into place. voila job done. Well not exactly as I check the level - it isnt so armed with a large rubber mallet tap the tray in a pathetic attempt to level the base - its going nowhere! Solid as a rock.

Hmm, what can I do - I know I will stand on it - my weight is sure to do the trick and yes it does. Great leave to harden.

Following day I return - great job that - I stand on it and, yes it wobbles.

There you have it thats how not to do it.

Over to you guys who fit these regular - how should it be done?

Steve.

 

[seco services]

either you never bedded it in the mix properly or you didn't put down enough mix

 

[kstandsteve]

The mix was a 1:5 cement:sand mix.

Depth was about 20mm.

If you have an enclosed area - how exactly does the mortar shift? It cant go anywhere.

As my ply base was true and level - it would have been easier to bed on a thin layer of silicone?

 

[seco services]

poss as the mix has dried out and left voids under the tray so mix is not covering the whole base of the tray.

you'll have to remove so have alook for patches where the mix hasn't touched the tray base.

 

[kstandsteve]

Yeah I am going to remove prob tomorrow as the footy is on later.

I am thinking tho that it would be easier to silicone in place.

 

[seco services]

yes silicone it.

 

[kstandsteve]

I like that.

 

[OvertonPlumber]

the bed was too weak. I always bed down with a 1-3 slurry mix also i would have sprayed the ply with plenty of water or pva-d if first.
You tend to want a spotted bed as well as this allows you to be able to rock it level. Once level dont play with it get half tube of clear silicon round the sides will help it to set.
Ive done 1200x 900s stone trays on 3 sides enclosures many times hurts your back though..

bedded in like at least 100 trays like this no probs. Although normally we bed em down onto screed floors.

 

[dextrous]

When you say you laid an even base, this is where you went wrong - you need to leave valleys (like laying brickes) for the ridges to spread into. This is what gives you room to manouvre with you rubber mallet. When tapped down, level, you will get between 90 to 100% support, which is plenty unless you wear stilettos while you shower and hit the rare spot with no direct contact with mortar

 

[kstandsteve]

Cheers.

Some good advice there. I knew it would be simple.

As for stilletoes in the shower - Hmmm. Quite an imagination there dextrous!