Help Cracked shower tray

[LazyDozer]

About an year ago the plumber installed this brand 900mm tray on a bed of mortar
https://www.showerstoyou.co.uk/ultra-pearlstone-900mm-square-shower-tray/

Wooden joists, and osb floor. Floor surrounding is tiled on cement boards and not cracked, so doubt floor is flexing.

what is the solution short of removing tiles and changing it?

was planning to remove silicone, clean with alcohol and fill crack with transparent silicone?

thanks in advance!

 

[terryplumb]

You could try what you suggest ,but replacement is probably going to be required.

 

[LazyDozer]

Thanks Terry! Any ideas why it is cracking?

 

[terryplumb]

Thanks Terry! Any ideas why it is cracking?

Anyone's guess ,flaw in manufacturing ,something heavy dropped on it ,installation issue ,no real way of knowing.

 

[LazyDozer]

Thanks again Terry,much appreciated!

 

[BlueLoo]

I would drill out the tip of the crack with a small drill (3mm?) This will stop the crack from propogating.
I would then, as best i could, open up the crack. Perhaps use a hacksaw blade.

Then, clean up and use a suitable filler/paste (like JB-weld but for plastic). Perhaps use masking tape to keep it a clean fill.
I wouldn't be removing tiles and installing a new pan unless i absolutely had too.

Have you looked carefully at the crack whilst loading up the tray? Is the tray supported correctly?

 

[Madrab]

Silicone would never last. A dremel would be of most use here. You would need to widen out that crack and then fill it with a 2 pack repair epoxy, almost like repairing a bath crack.

No telling how long it would last though, as the presumption is that the tray must be flexing at that point. How long after install did the crack appear?

 

[Diver Fred]

Ground or upper floor?

How thick is OSB. Size of Joists? Did you see the motor bed? Is/was it complete - not just dot & dab.

 

[LazyDozer]

I would drill out the tip of the crack with a small drill (3mm?) This will stop the crack from propogating.
I would then, as best i could, open up the crack. Perhaps use a hacksaw blade.

Then, clean up and use a suitable filler/paste (like JB-weld but for plastic). Perhaps use masking tape to keep it a clean fill.
I wouldn't be removing tiles and installing a new pan unless i absolutely had too.

Have you looked carefully at the crack whilst loading up the tray? Is the tray supported correctly?

Thanks, I was thinking of doing this, but was afraid as the tray is 40mm thick and cracking?? Behind this tray, to the front of it and to the sides are 6mm floor tiles and they haven’t cracked???
I will check the crack to see if it widens or contracts on loading- excellent point thanks

 

[LazyDozer]

Silicone would never last. A dremel would be of most use here. You would need to widen out that crack and then fill it with a 2 pack repair epoxy, almost like repairing a bath crack.

No telling how long it would last though, as the presumption is that the tray must be flexing at that point. How long after install did the crack appear?

I do have a dremel somewhere, and will check on Amazon for a 2 pack epoxy.
I think it’s been fitted for 16months and the I noticed the crack about a 4 months ago or so. Thanks

 

[LazyDozer]

Ground or upper floor?

How thick is OSB. Size of Joists? Did you see the motor bed? Is/was it complete - not just dot & dab.

Ground floor, suspended timber floor.
Pictures attached, 2.5m span
18mm osb
From what I recall, full mortar bed, it was placed on it and squashed till the falls etc were right, obviously cannot tell if edges were supported by mortar, but having said that I don’t step at the edges as that edge is where the shower unit is. Thanks!

 

[Madrab]

will check on Amazon for a 2 pack epoxy

I would look for a white repair epoxy that's designed for repairing sanitary wear. It tends to have colour stabilisers etc to keep it white, plain epoxy will tend to yellow over time.

 

[LazyDozer]

I would look for a white repair epoxy that's designed for repairing sanitary wear. It tends to have colour stabilisers etc to keep it white, plain epoxy will tend to yellow over time.

Thanks a lot, will search for one and report on how it goes