My brother in law helped me (or I helped him) install a new shower (base, walls, enclosure) we finsihed yesterday, but neglected to put a mortar bed beneath the shower base. Here's my question: can I take out the shower base, put down some mortar and re-install the base or is it too late? It doesn't look like it would be too much trouble to re-do and maybe I can do it without bothering him. (Carefully remove, and then carefully replace, recaulking, etc. I would rather do this now than have a leak later.

Thanks for any help.

It depends, can you get under the base without tearing it all apart? The shower drain's glued in and the enclosure walls set on the base. If you could make a cut in a wall to get in and bed the shower floor it might be a better way to go. Regards, Tm

I'm going to ask a stupid question...

Are you sure you need a mortar base? My plastic shower neo-angle base was a "mortar optional" type because the base was all reinforced with metal square pipes.

Knucklez

That's not a stupid question. The shower base is one of those rigid re-inforced pvc things, no metal. It gives a little when I step on it.

No, speedball, I don't think I can get under the base without tearing something apart. One wall is unfinished at the moment , with the studs showing and therefore, part of the base is in view, but the drain is glued and the enclosure walls attached. There's no way under without undoing something, is there? Would it be best to just let it stay as is? Everything appears to be tight and leak free. The shower base flexs a little when stepped on. Does no mortar guarantee a leak some time in the future? Should I just wait and see? My previous shower base never leaked until my daughter dropped a heavy bottle and broke out a tiny section... (and this one had no mortar, either).

Thanks for any suggestions. I kind of hate to take the base up, since it will just be me and my sister doing it.

You don't have much of a choice. Tearing out the base on a "MAYBE" doesn't cut it with me either. I would give it a shot the way it is. If it doesn't develop a leak then you're ahead of the game and if it does then click on back and we'll explore options. Good luck, Tom

Thank you. What a relief. I'm going to leave it as is and hope it continues to be leak free. If not, I will surely be back with questions.

Thank you from a grateful (and still sore from crawling under the house) do-it-yourself-er.