The shower stall looks beautiful in the interior of the bathroom. It takes up relatively little space compared to the bathroom. Installation of a shower cabin is often done on a pallet. This design element can be installed independently. To do this, you need to learn a step-by-step technique on how to install a shower tray. This will be discussed later.
Types of pallets
How to install a shower tray (a photo of the finished work is presented below) is of interest to many owners of private houses and apartments. Self-installation allows you to save money on the family budget. Even a novice master can cope with such a task. To do this, you need to know several subtleties of carrying out such work.
There are several varieties of shower trays. They may vary in material. Before considering how to install a shower tray, you should pay attention to the distinctive features of each group of sanitary products. The following types of pallets are on sale:
- Cast iron. These are enameled pallets that have high strength and reliability. The weight of cast iron pallets is large. Therefore, during installation, certain difficulties may arise. Cast iron pallets are hard to transport home. When installing them, you can’t do without an assistant. Therefore, these pallets are rarely purchased.
- Steel. A more practical version of plumbing products. They are quite durable, but at the same time they differ from cast iron by a lower weight. Many beginning masters are interested in how to install an iron shower. pallet. This procedure will be much simpler than using cast-iron plumbing. You can cope with the task yourself. The disadvantage of steel structures is the high noise level. Water falling on a steel surface will create vibration and ringing. In addition, a metal frame is required. Otherwise, the material may bend under the weight of a person.
- Ceramic. One of the most hygienic varieties. Ceramic pallets are easy to clean. In this case, the material can have a very different color. However, ceramics is a rather fragile material. If a heavy soap box or shower head falls on a pallet, chips may appear. Transport and install such products very carefully. If the master does the wrong thing, the pan may crack.
- Acrylic. This type of pallets is installed much more often. The weight of such plumbing is minimal. Installation does not cause any particular difficulties. From acrylic, you can create a pallet of its original form. This allows you to decorate the existing interior. You can also choose almost any shade for the pallet. Acrylic is not inferior to steel in rigidity. However, the material may be deformed. It must be installed on a special frame. It comes complete with a pallet.
Other varieties of pallets
How to install a shower tray? It is necessary to take into account the features of the selected product. In addition to the material, plumbing may differ in other indicators. On sale are different sizes of pallets. They are selected in accordance with the dimensions of the bathroom, the weight of the owners of the house. Pallets can be symmetric and asymmetric. This allows you to choose the option that best matches the dimensions of the bathroom.
Some companies offer to make a shower tray to order. In this case, the question of how to properly install the shower tray does not arise. This work is definitely worth entrusting to professionals. They take into account all the features of the material of which the pallet is made. Specialists will install the original model correctly. Such pallets can be made of natural stone, such as marble, wood. The latter option is often used in the country. These are elite varieties of pallets. Their cost is significantly different from standard models. In this case, the question of how to install a shower tray in the country is also decided by a team of specialists. It is impractical to independently mount the original model.
All plumbing products of the presented category are divided into two groups. Pallets can be deep or shallow. In the first case, the sides of the product will be high. Installation without fail requires the use of a metal frame. Shallow pallets are also called flat. For them, a metal frame is not required. Installation of this kind of plumbing products is easier.
Even if you need to assemble a frame for installing a sanitary product, this work does not cause any special difficulties. Before installation, the manufacturer's instructions must be taken into account. It describes in detail how to assemble the frame and install a pallet on it.
Installation of a shallow pallet
When considering how to properly install a shower tray (metal, ceramic or acrylic), you should pay attention to the features of installing a small shower tray. This is the easiest option. The hardest thing in this case is to mount the siphon correctly. The installation process begins with it.
The installation process begins with a siphon. It is installed in the desired location of the base (must match the type of pallet). Having connected the siphon, proceed to the assembly of the pallet. It is installed at the required place in the bathroom. But you should not fix the product. Next, the design is checked for leaks. It is necessary to verify the correct assembly of the structure.
It is necessary to install a pallet with a slight slope towards the drain. Next, the plumbing product is simply glued to the base. As a result, the level of the base of the pallet will be several centimeters higher than the floor in the bathroom. The pallet is leveled with a level. Be sure to make a slope of several degrees towards the drain. Next, the space under the pallet is blown with foam.
After such a procedure, weight is put on the pallet (for example, several bags of cement). After a day, it is removed. After that, you can safely use the pallet.
Acrylic pallet
When installing a deep pallet, it is important to consider the characteristics of the material of which the pallet is made. This determines some of the nuances of installation. There are certain recommendations on how to install an acrylic shower tray. It is necessary to adhere to the manufacturer's instructions.
First you need to tip the pallet. The legs are screwed into the bottom from the back. They come complete with a pallet. Manufacturers provide in a set from 3 to 5 pieces of legs. It depends on the dimensions of the pallet. If the kit includes its own metal or plastic frame, then it must be assembled in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In this case, the holes for the legs will not be made in the pallet, but directly in the frame.
The legs should be longer than the siphon and drain system. Also, each support should protrude the same length.
Studying the technique of how to install a shower tray with your own hands, you should pay attention to the installation of the drain system. For this, the structure is installed on its side. From the side of the washing cavity, install the sleeve in the drain hole. On the bottom you need to wear a branch pipe from the siphon. He puts on the end of the sleeve. To ensure that the connection is strong, no leaks appear, it is recommended to use a sanitary sealant. You can install the drain on the thread. For this, plumbing pads are used.
After that, the pallet is installed on the legs. With proper installation, the bottom of the siphon should not touch the floor. After that, using the level and adjust the legs, you need to set the correct position of the pallet. It must be strictly horizontal. Otherwise, it may appear to flow over time.
The side that touches the wall must be lubricated with glue. Next, the assembled pallet is firmly pressed to the surface. After this, the design is left to complete drying of the composition. After the joints need to be treated with a sanitary sealant.
The siphon is connected to sewer communications. After that you can install a decorative panel on the bottom of the pallet.
Brick frame
If the pallet is quite large, and the frame is not supplied, you can install using bricks. This option will allow you to firmly fix the sanitary ware. How to install a shower tray on bricks? You will need to build a frame from this material.
Before starting work, you need to prepare bricks and cement mortar. A wall is built from these materials. It will be a support for the pallet. The height is determined in accordance with the dimensions of the pallet. Its drainage system must not touch the floor.
When considering how to install a shower tray on bricks, it should be noted that the wall cannot be monolithic. It is necessary to leave space for access to plumbing communications. Zamurovit them categorically is not recommended. If a leak occurs, it will not be possible to quickly reach the depressurization site of the system. This is fraught with flooding of the neighbors from below, the formation of a fungus under the surface of the pallet.
It should be noted that the niche on which the pallet will be installed must be built in accordance with the dimensions of the pallet. Therefore, the walls are erected only after the acquisition of plumbing. In accordance with its dimensions, a support is created on which the pallet will be placed. In the process of construction work, the evenness of the masonry is constantly checked using the building level and plumb.
Between the bottom of the pallet and the floor you need to make a layer of foam or sand. The bottom will not bend. You can skip this step if the plumbing product is thick. After blowing the foam, you need to put the weight in the pallet. In a day it will be possible to operate the system.
A pallet is put on a niche made of brick. Seams must be treated with sealant. For this, sanitary silicone is suitable.
Cast iron pan
How to install a metal shower tray? If it is made of cast iron, you need to act a little differently. Such a product is quite durable. It does not need additional support. Therefore, the frame does not need to be assembled.
Almost always the legs are cast with the pallet. This is the most reliable option. Therefore, aligning the product in a horizontal plane is possible only by placing some objects. This, for example, may be steel plates of different thicknesses.
It is worth considering several nuances when considering how to install a metal shower tray. Cast iron plumbing without proper fixation can move out of metal plates. Also, you can not fix the sides to the wall with glue. Therefore, around each leg you will need to create a frame of cement. To create the formwork, it is quite possible to use ordinary matchboxes.
It is also worth noting that manufacturers do not make cast-iron pallets that come with a cabin design. For them, special screens or curtains are separately purchased. In this case, exact geometry during installation is not required.
Sometimes the factory height of the legs is not enough to install a siphon under the pallet. Therefore, for the construction of a parapet. To do this, a niche of brick is built. It should be built around the perimeter so that each side of the pallet rests on it. The legs must be fixed with cement. From the outside, it is better to make the lining with tiles or mosaics.
Steel pallet
How to install a steel shower tray? The technology for performing this process is simple. It is worth noting that such products are made by stamping. Therefore, the legs with the body are never made. They are always collected separately. A stand is almost always supplied with a steel pallet.
When considering how to install a steel shower tray, it should be noted that the procedure will be a bit like mounting an acrylic product. A special frame is going around the bottom perimeter. This is a metal profile assembled in accordance with the manufacturer's scheme. The legs are screwed into the frame using a threaded connection. Thanks to this design, aligning the pan will be easy. In the right places, the legs are either made longer or shorter. Steel pallets are often produced complete with the booth itself. Therefore, you need to carefully align the position of the structure.
If a factory cabin with a pallet is not supplied, you can install the pallet on a cement screed. Sometimes a small pedestal is built on which a pallet is mounted. In this case, the bottom will not bend.
Ceramic tray
There are a number of recommendations on how to install a shower tray. In this case, ceramic sanitary ware is used. This is one of the most popular options, not counting acrylic pallets. This is a fairly massive, durable type of construction. Therefore, the legs and frame are rarely used in the design. Often the design provides for the presence of cavities. They install a siphon, a system of branch pipes. In this case, the pallet is simply laid on the floor. After that, the walls of the cabin are installed.
However, far from always the design of the pallet has internal cavities. Many models only have a drain hole. The bottom in this case is solid. In this case, the booth is mounted on a pedestal.
To do this, you first need to cover the floor with waterproofing. To do this, in the place of installation of the shower set rubber or sheet of roofing material. Screed is poured on top of the waterproofing. It should be absolutely horizontal. After that, inside the contour of the pallet, you need to build a brickwork. It should be sufficient so that the drainage system does not touch the floor. Also, holes should be provided in the masonry itself to gain access to the drainage system.
After this, the siphon is connected to the sump and the drain system. It is necessary to attach a branch pipe to its branch pipe. A layer of cement is applied over the masonry. The assembled pallet is installed on it. A siphon and sewer pipes are placed in the intended cavities.
After that, the pedestal is faced. For this, tile or mosaic is often used. It is possible to install ceramic pallets on the frame. However, the option with screed and bricks will be the most effective and reliable.
Homemade pallet
Having considered how to install a shower tray, you should pay attention to another way. In this case, you do not need to purchase a pallet separately. It is created from screed and tile. In this case, you can go in two ways. The first of them involves the creation of special cavities for drainage communications in the floor. They are cut using an appropriate electric tool.
The second option involves the construction of a pedestal, inside which all the necessary communications will pass. This option will be acceptable if the ceiling height in the room is medium or large. For small apartments, the first option is more suitable. In this case, the shower will be on the same level as the bathroom floor.
For drainage, not a siphon is used, but a gangway or a special channel. Using a screed, tilt towards the drain hole. Such a cabin looks no less impressive than equipment with a purchased pallet. When creating such a cabin, much attention is paid to high-quality waterproofing. It is desirable that it passes over the entire surface of the bathroom. Inside, a homemade pallet is tiled. It should be non-slip. The color can be chosen in tone with the main floor finish or highlight the booth with a different shade.
Some tips from professionals
When considering how to install a shower tray, it is necessary to take into account a few more nuances. Sometimes the drain hole is far from the wall. In this case, it will be easier to mount a rectangular pallet than a figured one. When calculating the tap system, it must be taken into account that the angle of inclination should be about 7º. They are repelled from this indicator by choosing the height of the legs.
Sometimes pallets mounted on the frame require hardening. Steel, acrylic and reinforced varieties sometimes can not function normally only on structures from the factory profile. Therefore, bricks or supporting columns are laid under them. The supports should be the same height. Their surface must match the configuration of the back of the pallet. Otherwise, you can only do harm. The support post simply pushes the bottom of the structure.
Having considered the features and recommendations on how to install a shower tray, you can do all the work correctly. Even a novice master will cope with such a task.