I removed my old acylic shower pan and plan on replacing it with a fiberglass pan. The installation is on a second floor bathroom. Currently there is leveler on top of some type of barrier, the leveler tapes towards the drain pipe, it appears to be in sound condition.

My question is do I just add leveler to fill in indentions my by previous pan or do I need to replace the leveler and barrier to go with the new pan?

Either explain or send us a picture showing us the " levelers" Are we talking mounds of cement or mortar? Please explain. Tom

Mr. Speedball1,

The leveler I speak of is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 " thick at the thickess point then tapers down to the drain location. This is a 3' X 3' square area. The barrier material is between the plywood floor and the dry mud.

I'm confused ! What's being "leveled" and why? Are you saying your floor's so uneven that you need to level up the shower pan before the mud can go down. I got to be missing something here. What is it? Regards, Tom

Mr. Speedball1,

Apparently I am using the wrong terminolgy, the correct name is a shower base is what I would like to replace. What I am asking is does any type of ( mortar, concrete, or leveling compound) need to be in place to install this shower base on a second story wood floor.

Thanks

Bill


Mr. Speedball1,

I believe the correct term is (Bedding) as to prevent soft spot under the shower base. So now my question is do I remove the old bedding and replace it or do I just add to the present bedding andinstall the base?

do I remove the old bedding and replace it or do I just add to the present bedding andinstall the base?
No two shower bases are exactly the same. "Dry fit the case first to see if the bedding supports the floor. If you find "high spots" where the bedding bulges up the floor then pull the bedding out and install new. Make sure bed well around the drain area. Good luck, Tom

Hi guys...

In my opinion, as Tom has similarly stated, probably best to remove the old bedding substrate and start with new stuff.

Not only will it fill voids better but the new substrate will bond directly to the new shower base and assure you that there will be no noises/creaking between old and new!

If you have structolite perlited gypsum available in your area I recommend using it as it is super light weight, but very strong and dries overnight.

Let us know if you want to discuss more...

MARK

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Your new pan came with installation instructions, so follow them. Some pan ask for Structolite or modifed thinset while a few specically stae no bed. What brand and model are you installing.