How to Install an Acrylic Shower Tray

An acrylic shower tray is one of the two main types of shower trays, the other being the stone shower trays.A raised shower tray has legs or is raised with a space between floor and the tray; this helps to minimize weight on the floorboards. Installing an acrylic shower tray makes the connection of pipe work easy and accessible; it is especially useful in caravans and mobile homes. Choosing the right shower tray for your bathroom from the many varieties available in the market requires a little bit of market research and a proper assessment of your needs.

Tools and Materials Required

•    Shower Tray
•    Measuring Tray
•    Cement
•    Trowel
•    Bucket to mix the cement
•    Motor Drill
•    Screws
•    Thin set Mortar
•    Waste Traps
•    Duct Tape

Step 1 – Measuring and Buying the Appropriate Shower Tray

Before buying the shower tray, measure your shower area. Purchase the tray according to those measurements. When buying a shower tray be sure to check material for durability.

Step 2 – Preparing the Floor

Level and clean the floor before placing the acrylic shower tray on. If the floor is uneven place a two inch layer of sand and cover it with using a trowel. Let it dry for a day; then cover it up with a layer of thin set mortar for an even finish. Keep the sand and cement away from any drainage and if needed set the waste traps and than even out. (If you are installing the tray in a mobile home this step can be omitted and the shower tray will be the basic mobile home type.)

Step 3 – Installing the Shower Tray and Plumbing

Attach the waste traps to the tray, for any added plumbing you will require proper plumbing equipment. Cover the waste trap joints with thread and then duct tape. Carefully place the tray in place on top of the prepared floor.

Step 4 – Securing the Tray

If the tray type comes with screws, you will need to use a drill machine to put them in place to secure the tray in place.

Step 5 – Finishing Up

The sides of the tray can be covered with boards and moldings; this will add to the aesthetics and cover the pipe work under. Fill out the corners of these cover ups with thin mortar to seal off completely.

Step 6 – Take Necessary Precautions

Be sure to prevent any leakages. A leak can result in mildew and an eventual decay of the floor and walls not to mention a continuously bad smelling bathroom. For this secure all plumbing joints carefully. An acrylic shower tray might be heavy for a single person to carry therefore to avoid injury get help placing the tray in place. Before final attachments check the tray, and in case of defect it is easier to return, most companies do not return uninstalled trays. If the slope of the floor is uneven it does not matter as the tray comes with its own gradient slope for an efficient flow.