How to Seal a Shower Floor Pan

It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your shower floor pan to make sure that it is not leaking. Consistently monitoring the shower pan will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you notice that a leak might be sprouting, it is wise to fix the problem immediately. Follow these steps to repair a leaking shower pan.

Remove the Old Caulk

It is important that you install all new caulking, even in non-problematic areas. Use the putty knife or razor blade to gently cut away all of the existing caulking. Hold the putty knife or razor blade at an angle cut into the caulk. Then use a flathead screwdriver to pull the caulk away from the shower pan. If you have trouble removing the caulk, use a softening agent. Continue until all of the caulk has been removed.

Dry the Area

Use a hairdryer set on low to dry the area. Doing so will not only dry the surface but will also help remove any remaining debris

Remove Remaining Debris

Once you have dried the area, you might have some pieces of caulk left behind. Use a toothbrush to loosen the debris and vacuum all pieces. Apply painter's tape around areas that you do not want the caulk to touch.

Prepare the Caulk Tube

Hold the caulk tube to the edge of the cutting board. Use a utility knife to cut .25-inches from the tip so that you have a .125-inch opening in the tube.

Caulk the Edges

Run the caulk along all the edges of the shower pan to the width and thickness needed to repair the leak. Once you have done that, smooth down the caulk with a caulk smoothing tool.

Smooth out the Seal and Allow It to Dry

Remove the painter's tape after smoothing the caulk. Then dampen your finger with soap and water and use it to smooth the caulk a little more. Wait 24 hours to use the shower.