Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Rustre's Avatar
    Rustre Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 11, 2007, 06:47 PM
    Slab on grade shower pan support
    I am installing a 3'x3' shower in the basement on a slab-on-grade. I have "blocked out" a 15" x 15" x 15" recess in the slab (which has been poured). It has the 2" PVC drain pipe coming out of the side of the hole to which the trap will be attached when the exact location of the shower is determined. It will probably be a prefabricated pan (copper or plastic) on which I will install ceramic tile. A two level drain fitting with weeps has been selected to attach to the pan liner which I think will take care of the drainage issue.

    My question is: what supports the pan as it spans over the 15" hole? Fill it with concrete after the exact position is determined? I thought the idea of a blockout was to provide access to the trap if there would be any problem in future without having to jackhammer up a slap ( which has radiant heat embedded in it). Spanning with plywood seems to put a critical but vulnerable component in an inaccessible location. I could fill it with sand but since the vapor barrier is below the concrete and above the underslab extruded styrofoam insulation, any leaking water will stay above the vapor barrier. Maybe that's not a problem. Would sand do the trick or settle, and/or what else should I use?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Nov 11, 2007, 07:05 PM
    Sand will not be a good option here since it can shift around as the pan deflects from weight. Fill the hole with concrete.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Nov 11, 2007, 07:41 PM
    If you were going to build a shower the 15" dap out should have never gone down. On a slab we position the shower trap and raiser and the cement guys make the pour. Here's a option for you. Fill the hole with sand up to the last inch or so and then cement over the dap out. Good luck, Tom
    Rustre's Avatar
    Rustre Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Nov 12, 2007, 08:12 AM
    Comment on ballengerb1's post
    Thanks, it answered my basic question.
    Rustre's Avatar
    Rustre Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Nov 12, 2007, 08:15 AM
    Comment on speedball1's post
    Excellent. I was thinking the same. Pouring in place originally leaves no positioning flexibility.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

My shower drain is raised above the shower pan by 3/16" causing standing water [ 2 Answers ]

I have a fiberglass shower stall where the bottom has either slumped or the stall was installed wrong to begin with (it has no support beneath the surface that I stand on). The drain sticks above the level line so I have about 3/16" of standing water. I cannot easily access the bottom from the...

Installing custom sized shower pan on concrete slab [ 1 Answers ]

I am removing an existing fiberglass shower unit to replace it with a larger, custom-built ceramic tile shower. The subfloor is a post-tension concrete slab. I will not be able to move the drain, so it won't be centered in the new shower floor. I'm Ok with having an off-center drain. But, all...

Shower pan on slab [ 1 Answers ]

My specific question is in installing new plumbing under a slab. When I pour the floor repair, I will set the drain in the slab repair. Can I also do the first sloping for the vinyl pan with this repair, spreading the concrete and mortar out to the edges?

Removing a Shower Tile Pan on a concrete slab (Basement) [ 3 Answers ]

I am trying to figure out the best way to remove a tiled shower pan from my shower in the basement. I am planning on replacing the floor pan with a pre-fabricated version. I am presuming that I remove the existing tile with a chisel and hammer, my concern is how do I make the area level once I...

Slab on grade plumbing [ 11 Answers ]

Hi, I am thinking of building a cabin with a slab-on-grade floor. My plumbing experience is pretty good for a DIYer, a cople of complete new houses, but never slab on grade. Reading over this forum, there seems to be a lot of plumbing problems in slabs. Should I reconsider the slab? If not,...

View more questions Search