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Shower Pan Replacement

Kalpana Kumari
Shower pan removal involves removing the old or worn-out shower pan first and then installing a new one. Here are some instructions on how to carry out this task.
The need for shower pan replacement arises mainly under two situations. It is considered when either the pan is completely worn out or it is too old-fashioned. Replacing it requires some tools along with basic plumbing skills.

Old Shower Pan Removal

▸ First of all, stop the water supply.
▸ Remove the doors enclosing the shower.
▸ Take off all the supporting knobs and decorative accessories.
▸ Detach the head pipe, grip it near the wall, and move it clockwise for easy removal.
▸ Take out the tub filter by moving in the pliers and rotating it in clockwise direction.
▸ Underneath the filter, you will find a shoe that connects the filter to the floor pipe. Move it counter-clockwise to remove.
▸ Remove the bar panels with the help of a pry bar. Remove any dry wall or tile present to expose the dot wall.
▸ Take off the old shower pan. You will need to apply some force for that to happen.

New Shower Pan Installation

▸ First of all, get a pain that is leak-proof. At least one of the layers must be watertight. Usually, the membrane is watertight and made of vinyl. Lay down the new drain pipe and connect it to the main pipe.
▸ Connect the pipe fittings to the hot and cold fixtures. This may require you to cut and adjust the new pipe to fit accordingly.
▸ Install a cross piece between studs to support the hot and cold fixtures to ease the task of installing the head pipe.
▸ At this stage, it is important to check if the new pan is devoid of any leak. Drape the walls with plastic and pour water on it to make sure that it's leak proof.
▸ Follow the manual instruction guide which comes along with the kit. Seal the point of intersection between the pan and the drainage with silicone caulking.
▸ Insulate the wall studs from the outer side to block the sound of water hitting the enclosure walls.
▸ Apply a good quality adhesive on the edge of the panel and the wall studs. Join the former part at the bottom and flex them onto the wall.
▸ Allow the adhesive to dry up and set properly. Seal the beds between the panels with silicone caulking.
A shower pan is something that gets deteriorated with regular use. It needs repair and maintenance quite often. If you have been facing problems frequently, the wiser option would be to replace it.