Installation Guide

1. Frame out shower stall area to shower base dimensions.
2. Sweep out any debris from sub floor.
3. Install drain in base:
a. Apply silicone to bottom of drain base flange and place drain base flange in
base. DO NOT NAIL OR SCREW ANYTHING INTO THE BASE. DO NOT
SAND, CUT, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE
SURFACE OF THE SHOWER BASE WHATSOEVER.
b. Place the clamping ring over the base flange and tighten the bolts
4. Test fit shower base drain housing into sub floor bore hole.
5. Make sure the shower base is aligned properly and fits snuggly against the shower frame studs on all sides.
6. This step depends on whether there is access to the drain connection from below the sub floor:
a. If there is access from the sub floor below, then cut a section of drain pipe (PVC, as applicable to the type of
drain) which is long enough to extend below the sub floor and easily make a connection to the waste water pipe.
b. If there is no access from the sub floor below, then make sure the drain pipe stubbed up from the sub floor is
adjusted to a height sufficient to fit properly into the shower pan drain connection.
7. Turn the shower base over and note that there are ribs under the shower base floor. Calculate the amount of mortar
needed by measuring the height from the rib bottoms that rest on the substrate to the underside of the base floor at
the deepest point in between the ribs. Once you have that value, calculate the thickness (depth) of your mortar base
(Type N or S Mortar) using the formulas listed below based on the type of shower pan you purchased:
a. Left or Right Drain ONLY: Subtract 1/4” from deepest rib measured in Step 6
b. Center Drain ONLY: Subtract 1/8” from deepest rib measured in step 6, PROVIDED the mortar base should
always be at least 1/2”.
8. Spread your mortar base (should be a milk shake consistency), EVENLY ACROSS THE SUB FLOOR AT
THE THICKNESS CALCULATED FROM STEP 6a, 6b, or 6c, and offset 1“ from each outside edge of the pan
with exception of the curb side. Mortar will protrude out from under the curb, run the finished side of trowel
along curb face to backfill any excess mortar.
a. If there is access from the sub floor below and you followed step 5 a. above, then brush PVC adhesive on the
outside of the cut drain pipe and quickly insert into drain connection, and then be sure the drain pipe extends far
enough below the sub floor so it can be conveniently connected to the waste water pipe following the installation.
b. If there is no access from the sub floor below and you followed step 5 b. above then brush PVC adhesive on
the drain pipe stubbed up from the sub floor, then quickly insert the stubbed-up drain pipe properly into the shower
base drain.
9. Place the base in the mud base and firmly but gently shimmy the base (applying pressure in drain location first) into
the mud so that (i) the drain is fully supported by mud at the bore hole in the substrate, and (ii) the ribs are completely
filled with the mud alternately applying hand pressure to the right and left sides of the base floor until the base ribs
come within 1/8” clearance of the sub floor. Level all pan sides and the let the mortar dry overnight.
Important: DO NOT STEP INTO THE SHOWER BASE ONCE THE SHOWER BASE HAS BEEN SET AND
LEVELED UNTIL THE MORTAR HAS CURED COMPLETELY
10. Install the shower backer board and water proofing in accordance with the standards established by the Tile Council
of North America, Inc.
11. Seal and waterproof joint between backer board and the shower pan splash walls using 100% silicone, and then
cover the joint with a fluid applied waterproofing membrane on the shower walls over the joint. Allow the mortar bed
to dry in accordance with the instructions of the mortar bed manufacturer.
12. Adjust the height of drain as necessary to accommodate tiled flooring by turning drain left or right.
13. Set your tile using a white modified thin-set and a notched trowel as specified by your thin-set manufacturer based on
your tile size. The recommended modified thin-set products found in Appendix A.
14. Tile the rest of the shower.
Please note, do not place the mortar directly on a wood or Gyp-crete substrate. First, waterproof the wood
substrate with a fluid applied waterproofing membrane or NO. 15 or No. 30 roofing paper so the wood does not
absorb the water from the mortar.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION FOR TILE READY SHOWER BASE WITH PVC DRAIN
TILE READY SHOWER BASE INSTALLATION GUIDE
APPENDIX A
MAPEI Ultraflex LHT White
MAPEI Ultraflex 1 White
MAPEI Large Tile & Stone White
MAPEI Lg. Format Floor & Wall White
MAPEI Porcelain Tile White
MAPEI Ultraflex LFT White
CBP Prolite White
CBP Flexbond White
TEC Ultimate 6 Plus 487 White