A couple of years ago, when I did my basement renovation, I came to this site often and it was a great help. So after a couple years 'off', I've got the bug again to do some home remodeling. This time it's the upstairs main bath. I'm tearing out the fiberglass tub and shower installed by the builder and all the fixtures, and going with a walk in single threshold 60 x 32" shower only with tile walls. The floor outside the shower will be tiled also. I purchased a Swanstone shower pan and have been reading posts at several sites regarding the install. I had intended to simply place the heavy pan on the subfloor and caulk it in, but it appears that's not the right way to do it. I have read all the old posts on here regarding the Swanstone shower pan, but would someone please be so kind as to go step by step for me on the proper install? Swanstone's website is very specific about the location of the pan relative to the studs etc and the correct gaps and distances for proper placement of the backerboard once the pan is set, but there's only one statement regarding setting the pan and that is to use mortar or thinset. Anyone care to walk me through the steps to set the pan? I would certainly appreciate it. My subfloor is sound and level, but is your typical OSB board fastned directly to the floor joists. The bath is on the second floor.

HI Jforce...

I'd be glad to help, but the answer is involved enough that I don't have time tonight.

Please post back to confirm that you would still like me to post on this question and I should have an answer up for you by tomorrow night, OK. See, here in my area, we are below zero and have all kinds of freeze ups and no heat calls, but I promised a friend that I would cover the plumbing page so I am definitely popping in and out when I can, OK?

If others come along and have done this work and want to post on it then work with that as most of the guys in here really do know their stuff!

I'll be checking in when I can...

Mark

Hello Mass! I see that you are still here. You helped me a lot during my basement 1/2 bath install 3 years ago. Thanks. Its still working out great for us. Anyway, yes, my shower pan delivers on Feb 7 and I'm getting ready to tear out the fiberglass surround and pretty much gut the entire bathroom this coming weekend. So if its involved, would you rather have my email address? I think I know pretty much how to do it and how the pan needs to be set relative to the stud walls in order for bscker board to be placed properly and all, but let me tell you this.. my pan is 60 x 32" and right drain, because the tub drain was there obviously. So if I set the pan with mortar or thinset or however its supposed to be, consider the drain location because I read that the thinset should be placed away from the drain. Thank for your help.

Google the Swanstone site and find your shower pan, click on installation instructions, think this is the one you ordered. Swanstone Products (http://www.theswancorp.com/index.php?prod=383) Sounds like you ordered their Retro pan. Designed to replace a tub but you still will need to move the drain a few inches.

I have re-read the install instructions that came with my Swanstone shower pan & near the very end it states, "If the floor is not level and flat, the shower floor must be set in a bed of mortar to provide adequate support...install the shower floor using a mortar mixture" (recommended from other websites is sand mortar)"or equivalent material, such as thinset. IF THE FLOOR IS PERFECTLY LEVEL AND FLAT, YOU MAY PROCEED DIRECTLY TO STEP 1."
I gather from the instructions: all parts of the shower have to be supported on the subfloor you are setting it on. My husband & I installed a garden tub several years ago, the tub had several ribs built into it for support and the floor was level. All we put underneath the tub was a padding material that came with the tub. We made sure it was level, screwed it into the studs & the sucker has not moved! Our tile man completed the surround with tile & it still looks great. I think the purpose of the sand mortar bed/or thinset is to make sure all parts of the bottom of the pan are supported in some way in case your floor has low spots in it. That is my two cents.