Replace Fiberglass Shower Pan With Tile
Trugard direct shower waterproofing installation tips tricks 45 023 views 10 55.
Replace fiberglass shower pan with tile. Since the shower pan is installed before the fiberglass surround and shower walls with the shower walls overlapping the edge of the pan removing the pan alone requires extra work. Remove any ceramic tile on the walls around the pan down to about 12 inches 30 48 cm above the floor by chipping at the tile with the flathead screwdriver. Normally the prefabricated base is embedded in a thin layer of mortar for stability but unlike custom tile shower pans leaking almost never happens with prefabricated shower pans. Mark the shower tile layout.
Remove the fiberglass shower surround. A fiberglass pan is simply too flexible to support the mortar bed you need for tiling. If you really want to replace a fiberglass or plastic shower floor with tile you have to remove the existing floor and construct a solid backing for the mortar base. Place your pry bar under the front of the shower pan and slowly begin to lift it up.
Tile s beauty acrylic fiberglass practicality most tile companies will take on this type of project. You ll need to replace tile below that line flush to the new. However one must consider the extra effort involved in this project and the potential damage to the shower walls. In most cases replacing the walls along with the pan is the best method.
Doing so can save you money on tile work plus this system has functional value because it gives you the best of both worlds. Remove drywall where the new tile will go. The mortar will crack and the tiles will also crack and separate. How to replace a fiberglass shower with tile as a weekend project step 1.
In a home where there are. Install a moisture barrier paper or. If the drainpipe starts to lift with the shower pan hold it in place by putting a screwdriver on the edge or lip of the drain pipe and pushing it down. Keep lifting the pan until it clears the drain.
Use a utility knife to cut a seam along all drywall fiberglass. If you can extract the pan by prying up the bottom of the walls you will be able to complete the job. At about a foot off the floor cut into a grout line with a dry cut off saw. Run full tile off the top of the pan with a 1 8 inch gap for caulking and go until you finish with full tile above the shower head which is usually around 7 feet in most houses to.
Mating tile walls with a fiberglass or acrylic shower pan is not only possible but it is a common practice.