Which shower tray to choose? How to install a shower tray. Shower tray: subtleties of installation with your own hands How to install a shower tray
For the manufacture of shower trays they use various materials, on the properties of which the characteristics of finished products depend. Today we want to talk about steel models, consider their advantages and disadvantages, and also pay attention to how to install a steel shower tray with your own hands.
Steel shower trays
Characteristics and Features
If we look at shower bowls and divide them into groups according to the materials from which they are made, we will notice that steel products will be the most budget-friendly:
Cheapness is one of the indisputable advantages of steel models, but it can also have the opposite effect: most buyers believe that low cost is a sign of low quality.
This is not entirely true, and often the low price is caused by the peculiarities of product production, the cost of materials, as well as (and this is especially important) existing market trends and the related marketing policies of product manufacturers.
In the case of steel pallets, it cannot be said that they are definitely worse than their analogues, but in some positions, metal models do lose. Their model range not as diverse, especially in terms of design. Quite difficult to find the bowl unusual shape, square and rectangular shapes, corner models are much less common.
There is also a limitation on the depth of the vessel, and it is almost impossible to find really deep steel shower trays, since this parameter is limited to 160 mm. At the same time, models with a maximum depth of 130 mm are more common, and any pallet with a depth of more than 40 mm is called deep. However, this feature is not unique to this class.
On the other hand, steel is an excellent construction material, which is characterized by high strength and durability, which is not afraid high temperatures, blows, falls heavy objects, fungal infections and other similar influences. Low cost makes steel models especially in demand for installation in country and country showers.
The products are made from carbon steel coated with anti-corrosion wear-resistant enamel. If you remember cast iron bath, then you can imagine what we are talking about. The bowl can be equipped with a frame for installation, special legs, or supplied without them.
Important!
By the way, bathtubs can last for decades and still look good, so stereotypes about the quality of steel bowls are largely far-fetched.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Despite their low cost, steel pallets have a number of advantages, thanks to which the demand for this class of products remains quite stable.
We list the main ones:
- High strength characteristics steel. The material is not afraid of high temperatures, does not crack, does not split, can withstand significant weight, and withstands impacts and falling objects;
- Low cost. With quite acceptable quality, the products are several times and orders of magnitude cheaper than analogues made of ceramics or artificial stone. Even acrylic bowls cost about two to three times more;
- Possibility to choose enamel color. Unlike ceramic and acrylic counterparts, steel bowls can be coated with enamel various colors and shades, which makes it possible to fit it much more harmoniously into the interior of the bathroom;
- Easy DIY installation. The product is quite easy to install using ordinary tools, without any special skills in construction and plumbing work.
Important!
When installed on a frame, the need for wet processes and brick podium construction is eliminated, making installation much easier and faster.
Of course, there are also disadvantages.
We will list only the most significant of them; if they do not confuse you, then you can ignore the rest:
- Steel is afraid electrochemical corrosion. The enamel coating may come off the surface or be damaged by mechanical stress, and then the bowl will begin to actively rust and deteriorate;
- The appearance and variety of forms leave much to be desired;
- Steel surfaces are very slippery, especially if they are not corrugated;
- When water flows from the shower, a noticeable noise occurs;
- If there is no frame or solid foundation under the bottom, it may sag under the weight of an adult. This is dangerous due to cracking of the enamel.
Important!
It should be noted that, unlike steel, it heats up quickly enough from water, and you can use the booth practically without preheating the bowl.
Installation
Installation of steel pallets is carried out in two ways: on a podium made of brick or concrete, as well as on a special steel frame with legs. It is advisable to choose a model with a frame and adjustable legs.
If there is no frame at the installation site, a brick podium is first laid out. To do this, the floor is cleared of finishing until it reaches a clean screed, on which the structure is laid out from ceramic bricks(silicate is not suitable due to low moisture resistance).
The design is a parapet 0.5 - 1.5 bricks high around the perimeter of the bowl:
A modern shower cabin is a wonderful addition to the usual bath, making a pleasant and useful water procedures as diverse as possible. Here you can place a hydromassage system and an exotic shower, connect light music and create light and sound effects.
However, without quality pallet– the basics of any shower – all this is simply impossible. Therefore, you should know how to install a metal shower tray with your own hands.
Why is it better to choose, for example, not a ceramic shower tray, but a metal shower tray, and why is it better to install it yourself, rather than with the help of qualified installers? A metal shower tray is great choice, and its installation is not particularly difficult. Plus, you can save money this way.
Materials and tools
In order to quickly and correctly install a metal pallet, you need to stock up the following materials, tools and devices:
- ready-made shower tray;
- drainpipe;
- mixer with siphon;
- cement;
- sand;
- waterproofing mixture ( silicone sealant);
- brick stock;
- sheet rubber;
- FUM tape;
- trowel for stone work;
- plaster spatula;
- paint brush;
- hammer;
- building level.
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Installation procedure
There are many ways to quickly and efficiently install a metal tray in a shower room (chamber). Let's look at one of the simplest and most common options for installing a waste tray.
Before you begin the process of installing this structure with your own hands, you must thoroughly study technical instructions, which is usually attached to it when selling. It is worth noting that experts recommend doing this regardless of what material the shower tray is made of.
First of all, the shower stall must have dimensions that generally correspond to the dimensions of the metal base. In this case, the dimensions and finishing should be adjusted in such a way that the facing ceramic tiles, if not the entire wall of the room is lined with them, have their lower edge descending slightly below the level of the tray placed against the wall. If there is a gap between the wall and the base of the cabin, it must be sealed with a waterproofing compound (sealant).
When starting to align the pallet according to all the rules, it is recommended to immediately use a building level to monitor the clear horizontalness of its upper plane.
This situation should not interfere with the effective removal of water in the future, since modern drainage products are manufactured with ready-made cone-shaped funnels.
To fix the structure in a certain position and to ensure its horizontalness, the legs supplied with the pallet are used. They are usually adjustable, so they can be used to quickly and easily position the base. Once the adjustment is complete, the legs are firmly fixed with locking mounting bolts.
In some cases, instead of legs, special plastic supports are used, which are supplied with the pallet. At the same time, very often builders install these products, resting them not on legs, but on specially constructed stands made of bricks or mounting cinder blocks.
The specified stand (or, as it is also called, a well) is built in accordance with such dimensions that the future bottom of the shower stall can be freely laid on it, resting its sides on the edge of the brick (cinder block) masonry. To fix the pallet, its sides are either glued to the masonry with a special glue mixture, or planted on cement mortar.
When installing the base of the shower chamber on a stone well-support, one cannot ignore the fact that a siphon must be connected from below to the drain neck of the pan. To ensure that the height of the well is sufficient for it (the sewer outlet should be above the floor level at a height of 12-15 cm), care must be taken in advance when designing the bathroom. By the time the entire structure is finally secured to the brick support, the mixer must be assembled, and its components must be tightly screwed to each other according to the diagram.
For better stability of the pallet, the space between it and the floor can be filled with ordinary sand. This will create additional support for him. If you don’t have sand at hand, polyurethane foam can partially replace it.
It should be borne in mind that the shower stall is a place where, by definition, there should be a lot of water. Therefore, all the slightest seams, cracks and joints are between the sides and the brick on which they rest, between the edges of the pallet and tiles on the walls, between the tightly screwed elements of the mixer and the tray - should be thoroughly coated with silicone sealant and covered with FUM tape.
Every time you complete one or another stage of the installation procedure, it is recommended to immediately check the quality of what was done. In particular, after placing the support well (but without its final fixation), it is proposed to ensure its stability. To do this, all you have to do is stand on the pallet with the utmost care, and, most likely, balancing deficiencies will immediately manifest themselves.
It is also necessary to make sure that the junction of the pipe with the neck of the pan and the siphon with the sewer pipe is well sealed. For this purpose, water is supplied to the tray with low pressure. If there is no leakage of liquid, the shower can be used for its intended purpose. If water leakage is detected, additional sealing of the connected components will have to be done.
Of the entire process of installing a shower stall, installing a shower tray is perhaps the most labor-intensive process. Of course, the current level of technology makes it possible to completely abandon installation work- installation of a shower box (i.e. a “box” type stall) provides the opportunity to purchase an already assembled cabin, which only needs to be connected to the water supply, electrical network and water drainage to the sewer. However, this option is not always acceptable or optimal. Installation shower tray may be required where you would like the booth to fit into the interior, for example, in the bathroom, or where it should be used non-standard materials and integrate the booth. Ultimately, a shower stall is one of many possible combinations of a tray and shower screens, and everything else is just an extension of them. In this article detailed instructions on how to properly install a shower tray.
What types of pallets are there?
According to their design, all pallets can be divided by thickness into:
- super flat (6-10 cm);
- flat (10-18 cm);
- deep (25-35 cm).
Regarding the shape of pallets, we can say that they can be very different, for example:
- round;
- polygonal;
- free form.
Most of the trays are produced universally - round and quarter-circle (when you need to install a shower enclosure). The materials from which pallets are made are limited:
- acrylic;
- cast iron;
- ceramics.
IMPORTANT! In each case, the shower trays are covered with an anti-slip coating
But according to color scheme trays typically match the shower panel they come with and can be any color. Installation of a shower tray (in this case an overview video is provided) begins with the supply of sewer pipes and securing their outlet.
Installation of a shower tray: VIDEO
Installing a shower tray
Installing a shower tray, as can be seen from the video above, is not difficult in itself. Some difficulties may be caused by the joining of plumbing parts, floors and walls: uneven floors, old plumbing etc. This may be partly caused by the characteristics of the material from which the pallet is made, but in most cases this is due to the readiness of the site for it. Taking into account the possibility of different depths of pallets, the need to create a natural water drainage, frequent unevenness of the floor and walls, it becomes clear what problems can await those who want to install a shower tray with their own hands.
If the installation height of the pallet is limited by the height of the room, then additional excavation of the floor may be required for installation of the drain.
From the point of view of the quality of pallets, we can talk for a long time about the fact that acrylic pallets are much more comfortable than ceramic or cast iron: the latter can be unpleasantly cold in the mornings; however, the hygiene and durability of all pallets three types is equally certain. Therefore, the installation of a shower box with any of the specified types of pallets, from a technical point of view, is absolutely identical, although the cost of acrylic pallets is higher.
New materials and systems without pallets
The market, like technology, however, does not stand still and not so long ago the consumer was offered new material- quaril - mixture quartz sand and liquid acrylic.
IMPORTANT! With a slightly lower thermal conductivity, this material is many times stronger than acrylic and is practically impossible to scratch; but that is precisely why it is more difficult to restore it.
Also, unlike acrylic, which is rolled from sheets, quarryl is nothing more than casting. This property of quaril is widely used for decorative purposes, not only in the shower room, but also where a concealed hygienic shower or something like that is usually installed.
For special aesthetes and, as a rule, pallets can be made from marble or sandstone to order. In addition to aesthetic satisfaction, a person who prefers stalls with such trays or concealed shower systems enjoys their ability to retain heat and absorb sound.
A distinctive feature of all pallets of this type without exception is the presence adjustable legs, which greatly simplifies their use: installation of a hygienic shower or shower stand does not require additional work by alignment.
Shower drain and channel: everything could be even simpler
An alternative to a tray is to install a shower drain. In this embodiment, the presence of a tray becomes superfluous, since the drainage and drainage of water occurs in principle new technology. Moreover, modern options combining shower channel or drain ladder may turn out to be the most successful decisions in specific conditions - ladders can be of any shape.
Thus, the presence of an ordinary shower head and drain can literally create a place out of the blue to take a shower, both in the existing bathroom and in places where the shower system was installed for the first time.
Separate metal or steel drain designs that are complements to an overhead shower, such as I-DRAIN, can be an indispensable solution in places where installation of trays is not possible - they take up only 54 mm of floor depth.
Since these are ready-made units, their installation instructions are quite simple and not very expensive, that is, their installation even looks much simpler than installing pallets.
$ Cost of work and price of pallets
Here it would be appropriate to remember how much pallets cost and mentally add the cost of installing them, and then return to alternatives with channels and drains. So, prices for shower trays of popular brands (RAVAK, CERSANIT, KOLO, APPOLLO, TIMO) for comparison:
- in Kyiv are from 1000 hryvnia,
- in Moscow - from 9,000 rubles.
Conclusion
The far from obvious advantage of pallets is the ability to replace them, a more comfortable appearance and higher hygiene. And although there is a whole series models of pallets with a corrugated surface, however, cleaning and maintaining the area of the pallet is more profitable than, for example, the entire floor surface near a hygienic shower.
On top of that, pallets are created with special surfaces, preventing slips, falls and, as a result, possible injuries.
The main stage of work when installing a cabin in a bathroom is installing a shower tray. You can do this yourself if you comply with the technological requirements.
The easiest way to mount acrylic, ceramic or steel products– this does not require unique knowledge and complex instruments. But with certain skills in construction and repair, it is possible to equip a bathroom with a concrete tray, refined ceramic tiles. The installation of a shower tray made of marble or cast iron must be carried out by specialists due to the large weight of the products.
Choosing the right model
There are shower trays various forms– square, rectangular, with rounded edges. The choice here depends on the wishes of the owner. It is much more important to take into account the depth of the structure when installing:
In some cases, a waterproofed floor with drains for draining water acts as the bottom of the shower stall.
Pallets are also built-in and removable. This point must be taken into account during installation.
The thickness of the walls of the selected plumbing element is no less important.
Pallets with thin walls are made of acrylic and plastic. The advantages of such models include ease of transportation and installation, as well as budget price. But thin-walled models have a number of disadvantages:
- mechanical deformations from the feet of people washing;
- surface cracking due to temperature changes;
- need for a solid foundation.
The coating on steel pallets may peel off and rust stains may appear in damaged areas. Acrylic analogues are easy to scratch if, for example, you decide to wash your beloved dog.
Ceramic trays or those made from brick and concrete are more durable. The most durable are cast iron models.
How to choose a shower tray, video:
Which base for a pallet is better?
Installation of a shower tray can be done in various ways:
- on a brick foundation;
- on plastic support parts;
- on a metal frame.
The base is selected depending on the model’s configuration and its technological characteristics. The need for a foundation is due to the fact that the drain hole must be located above the level of the sewer line so that the water drains well. Experts believe that the angle of inclination from the bottom to the entrance to the sewer line should be at least 3 degrees. If it is impossible to make a pedestal or lower the sewer inlet, you will need a special pump to pump out the water.
Most deep models are equipped with a special metal profile frame. But if the tray is thin-walled, the feet of bathers will quickly push the bottom between the guides, especially if the owners of the bathtub are not of fragile constitution. In these places, acrylic options may even develop through cracks. Therefore, deep, thin-walled pallets also require a stable foundation.
Installation of a ceramic shower tray is possible without a foundation, directly on a flat floor without an installation gap.
Here it is necessary to monitor the quality of laying the sewer lines so that the drain hole is higher than the outlet and the water quickly leaves the container. The element itself is attached to the floor using glue or cement tile mixture.
Cast iron elements are usually simply placed on the floor. Their height is sufficient for reliable drainage into the sewer. The same applies to stone products. But there may be a problem with the siphon. It will have to be installed directly on the floor surface or connected to a flexible unit and hidden in a specially equipped niche in the wall.
Let's look at how to install different types of foundations when installing shower trays.
Metal or plastic frame
If you still choose this type of base, it won’t take much time for installation. The main actions here will be:
- Leveling the legs using a building level.
- The installation of the shower tray itself.
- Connecting to the sewer and fixing the drain hole.
An extruded polystyrene board can be placed under the bottom to insulate the area. In the same way they use polyurethane foam. This is especially important when installing steel pallets. It will also help reduce the sound of falling water.
Once the installation of the shower tray is complete, you need to check its stability. If the pallet wobbles or creaks, additional supports from steel angles or brick columns will be required.
To secure the thin bottom and give the structure stability, you can make removable formwork and pour concrete. The installation of the shower tray will be carried out on the resulting pedestal. This method has disadvantages: it is impossible to check and eliminate the leak. Replacing a sewerage unit and installing a siphon is also quite difficult. Alternatively, you will have to use flexible connections and hide the siphon in a niche in the wall.
This great solution for most pallets, which eliminates any deformation and extends the life of the plumbing fixtures. The main thing is to choose the place where the siphon will be installed.
In this case, the bricks are laid not only around the perimeter of the product. Otherwise, the bottom will bend over time. In structures with legs, to eliminate this drawback, additional support is provided in the center. Since there is a convexity there, such a model cannot be installed on a flat brick foundation. It is necessary to provide a recess for this tubercle.
Correct creation technique brick base is this:
Installation of the shower tray is carried out after 3 days, when the masonry is completely standing.
If the pallet is semicircular, at the bend the bricks are laid out in a fan with the butted edges facing outwards.
A welded frame made of metal corners 20 by 20 mm. It is installed between rows of bricks and secured to the floor with dowel nails. Acrylic from friction metal surfaces It is worth protecting with a layer of insulating rubber glued to the metal.
Deep tray on high foundation will require the creation of a ladder to the entrance to the shower stall. Steps can be made of concrete or bricks and covered with tiles. The walls behind the pallet are finished with tiles or other waterproof material. The tile adhesive must also have excellent moisture resistance.
DIY installation of different types of pallets
Each shower cabin comes with instructions for assembling it. It also indicates additional tools and materials. But if you decide to choose your technology, then you should take care of selecting suitable tools and consumables. In most cases you will need:
- building level;
- screwdriver;
- marker;
- drill and hammer drill;
- pliers;
- adjustable wrench;
- sealant.
If necessary brickwork, you will additionally need a mixture for the mortar and a trowel.
Preparatory work
Regardless of the type of tray, it is necessary to prepare the bathroom for its installation. To do this you should:
- waterproof the floor and walls;
- check the possibility of connecting to the water supply system and sewer lines (pipes should have convenient outlet openings for easy connection of hoses);
- Close all pipe openings with plugs during installation work.
An important point is the electrical wiring. It must be hidden and moisture-resistant, with a minimum number of twists. For the connection, you should choose a three-core copper wire with a cross-section of 2.5 mm and double insulation. It is laid directly from the electrical panel with the installation of a residual current device.
Installing an acrylic shower tray (step by step instructions)
Most modern shower cabins are equipped with acrylic trays. They are easy to assemble:
Now you can attach the decorative part of the pallet or do this during the installation of the entire cabin. To check the correct installation, you should carefully stand in the pallet and feel how stable and reliable it is.
After completing the work, check all fastening areas, as well as the water supply and drainage. If there is a leak somewhere, tighten the connections a little more. If necessary, additional insulation work is carried out.
Installing a steel shower tray (step by step instructions)
Such structures are made by stamping. They do not involve making the legs integral with the body. Installation of a steel shower tray is carried out on special stand: a profile laid around the perimeter of the bottom, to which threaded bushings are welded. The legs are screwed into them.
For correct installation necessary:
Strengthen steel pallet can be done using supporting pillars, for example, made of brick. They must match the height of the structure. Otherwise, the supporting elements may push through the bottom.
To make a steel pallet look aesthetically pleasing, you can cover the stand with bricks and tiles. It is placed with a slight slope towards the tray so that water does not accumulate.
Installation of a steel shower tray, video:
Installing a ceramic or cast stone shower tray (step by step instructions)
Such products are heavy and massive, so they are installed on the floor without any stands or legs. They sometimes have niches for a siphon, but more often the structures are monolithic, with only one drain hole. In this case, you will either have to use flexible system drain, or install the tray on a pedestal. The last option requires the following:
- We waterproof the floor and cement screed on top of it.
- We create brickwork around the perimeter of the product so that the height allows for the placement of a drainage system.
- We connect the pan with the siphon, and the outlet pipe with its outlet pipe.
- We install the shower tray together with the drainage system on a layer of cement so that the siphon and drain pipe are placed in the niches intended for them.
The front parts of the pedestal are covered with ceramic tiles or mosaic modules. Joints of products of any type are treated with sealant. If appearance does not suit the owner of the shower stall, you can strengthen the joints with plastic decorative corners, which are fixed with glue or sealant.
How to veneer the side of a shower tray, video:
Creating a pallet according to individual dimensions (step-by-step instructions)
It’s possible to create a shower tray with your own hands, without purchasing finished product. The advantages of this option are: individual design. You can choose any shape, size and color of the cladding.
How to install a shower tray:
After final hardening, the surface is covered with tiles, mosaic modules or other waterproof decorative materials.
How to create a pallet with your own hands, video:
What should I do if the shower tray was damaged during installation?
Most often, small chips and scratches occur on the surface of acrylic products. Don't worry, such damage is easy to fix. With the help of a special restoration composition, it is possible to eliminate even through breakdowns.
- To do this you need to purchase suitable composition V hardware store and follow the instructions:
- Remove all installed parts from the pallet.
- Find out the extent of the damage - whether it is a scratch or a through hole.
- Drill holes at both ends of the crack slightly wider than the damage. They will not allow the crack to grow.
- In the event of a through breakdown, a strip of fiberglass is glued to the bottom. Used as glue epoxy resin.
- Cut off the edges of the crack sharp knife so that the composition penetrates better (cut off the chamfers), and fill it.
- After the solution has dried, smooth the restored area with soft sandpaper to remove sagging.
Stone castings are restored in the same way.
Ceramic trays are difficult to restore. Even the strongest glue will not last long, and the structure, unfortunately, will collapse quite quickly.
In products made of steel and cast iron, the enamel most often suffers. If there are no through breakdowns, then eliminating the damage is easy. For this they use liquid acrylic with hardener. Or epoxy resin is applied, and liquid enamel is applied on top.
It is quite possible to install a standard shower tray with your own hands. However, if you want to create a shower stall with an unusual shape, or have purchased an extremely expensive or complex model, it is better to seek help from professionals.
Previously, shower trays were sold without support, without legs, but today such cabins have gone out of fashion. Modern designs so simple that anyone can perform all the operations with their own hands. Installing a shower tray has become a truly simple task.
We recommend that you do your research before purchasing. This is mostly impossible without visiting a store, but by reading articles like this one, you can get a clear idea of how to install a shower tray yourself.
Pallet structures
Shower cabins are currently equipped with four types of pallets:
- Deep ones are so called for the reason that some of them are only slightly inferior to the bathtub in terms of the height of their sides. A powerful frame supports their bottom from below, supported by six height-adjustable legs.
- Small pallets are more often called low pallets. They are completely flat with a few exceptions. In the modern version, they are placed on 5 legs, but you can still get a completely bare “sink”, for which a foundation is required.
- Pallets made of artificial stone and ceramics stand on a completely separate line. In all previous cases, there is free space under the bottom for installing a siphon, but in this case we have a slab with a drain hole in the center.
- Cast iron ones are much less common than steel ones, and they are often confused, but they have won recognition for their durability at an affordable price. They come in both deep and shallow, but complete cabins are sold extremely rarely. Cast iron pallets must be purchased separately.
It is clear that thin-walled pallets do not suffer from durability. This is explained by the fact that they constantly suffer mechanical deformation: from temperature changes, from the feet of swimmers and from other reasons. Thin-walled pallets are made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, ABS and steel. Each of these materials is deformed and has its own disadvantages:
- The steel is painted and the coating peels off easily. A metal pallet must have a properly constructed frame. For example, in the form of a solid brick foundation.
- The acrylic tray could not overcome the same shortcomings. But over time, it not only bends, but also begins to break. There are plenty of videos about this on YouTube.
In addition to these features, it should be noted that steel rusts. Worth peeling off protective coating enamel, like metal will immediately begin to oxidize. This is all the worse because the process can go completely unnoticed by the owner. So one day there will be a hole through the steel. Acrylic is not afraid of moisture, sunlight, mold, but over time, like any plastic, it loses strength. When purchasing, the consumer participates in a lottery: whether he will be lucky or not (a high-quality polymer or the first one he comes across).
As for the cabin with a tray made of artificial stone or ceramic, this is the most profitable option. Both materials have proven themselves well throughout human history. An additional advantage is that the slabs are completely flat and fit well on any suitable pedestal foundation. And IDO cabins are distinguished by the fact that instead of legs they roll on rollers. Due to this, the structure can be moved around the room within certain limits (if there is flexible hoses and siphon). But you don’t need to put it on bricks - it won’t fall.
Cast iron is good because it does not rust. The walls of the pallet are noticeably thicker (by an order of magnitude), so the pallet is very durable. Among all varieties, cast iron is the most durable.
Foundation structures
At first glance, it seems that the cabins do not need a foundation. It is enough to adjust the legs to start using the product. But in reality this is not the case. The factor of the installation height of the pallet comes into play. The drain hole must certainly be located above the sewer outlet. So that the drain leaves the pan safely.
The frame and foundation are not needed in most cases. But it should be noted that most products are specifically designed to require replacement over time. Of course, we want to avoid this for as long as possible. The design shows 100% exactly what bad things can happen.
Is it necessary or not?
As a rule, the need to build a foundation is determined instantly. To do this, just measure the level sewer pipe. The drain hole of the pan should be slightly higher. How more difference, the better the stock. Usually a slope of 3 centimeters per meter of distance (pipe path) is considered sufficient, but in practice there may be other ratios, and the water will still drain well.
Below the pallet there is usually a place to place a siphon, so there is no drainage in the foundation constructive solutions not provided. I would like to draw the attention of readers to the fact that in high (deep) pallets the drain is not located too high. Because most of the vertical is spent on the formation of walls. It’s not for nothing that this tray is called deep: you can wash clothes and wash children in it. There is often a seat in the corner.
In 90% of cases, a deep tray has a durable frame made of metal profile. At first glance this is good, but in practice it turns out that the foot pushes the pallet between the guides. And since plastic becomes brittle over time, this is just enough for a crack to appear. That is why sometimes deep pallets are placed on the foundation. As for the small ones, this is prescribed to them from birth: subtle flat bottom It breaks well, as many owners have seen. The effect does not appear at the very beginning, but greatly worsens over time.
Brick foundation
Many people do not think long about solving the problem of building a foundation. Traditional brick helps solve the problem. This is an excellent solution for a ceramic tray, but you need to leave room for the siphon. A properly executed foundation greatly extends the life of the pallet. Much depends on how tightly the bottom fits to the pedestal. Ideally, any deformation is excluded.
The problem is this. Previously, many people installed a flat pallet without a foundation, or so that only the perimeter rested on the bricks. As a result, the statistics of broken pallets was replenished at incredible speed. The manufacturers quickly noticed this and corrected the matter by adding a fifth leg in the center: this is a plastic tubercle into which a threaded rod is embedded. It is almost impossible to remove this. You understand that a flat foundation is no longer suitable here; you need to leave a gap for this “fifth leg”.
Bricks are a fairly universal tool. For example, at the bend of the perimeter they are laid out like a fan outwards with butted edges. The free space is filled with solution. This scheme is often used for acrylic pallets. It is important to leave space here to control leaks. It would be in vain to think that concrete will stop moisture from reaching your neighbors. Special measures are needed to waterproof the floor. And in any case, dryness needs to be controlled somehow.
Example of a brick foundation for a ceramic tray
The ceramic tray looks fragile, but can last for many decades. Here is a foundation option for this case. We proceed from the fact that the frame for this type of pallet is made only around the perimeter, which gives very broad prospects in terms of control.
- You need to lay the bricks to the required height along two walls and one sidewall.
- The front part is used to access the siphon and control leaks. You can cover it with a decorative panel.
In case of big worries, place the pallet on two rows of bricks, in one of which there is a hole for control access and dismantling (if such a need arises). It is not necessary to mount it tightly, no one does that. Instead, a plumbing corner is placed on three sides between the tile and the tray, mounted with silicone sealant. If you want to hang the curtain from the sides, leave small protrusions along the width of the brick row. Place a board there and raise the threshold to the desired height.
This is sometimes necessary in cases where the corner is homemade and curtained. Then there is a certain reserve for moving matter so that it does not crawl out and water does not flow onto the floor. There are some other options.
A frame made of a metal tube is often placed under a purchased ceramic tray. It only covers the perimeter. For this type of structure, this is a completely suitable solution, as long as the weight of the entire cabin does not press on top. For example, Leroy Merlin reports that the mass of the pallet is only 3 kg. The frame is good if the cabin weighs a little. For obvious reasons, the threshold in this case is much more difficult to organize.
Foundation for acrylic pallet
It was written above that the acrylic tray has legs. So the instructions for building a foundation are as simple as possible: this is a flat stand on which the cabin supports will rest. Installation of a shower tray involves connecting it to the sewer and adjusting the height of the legs. It’s not difficult to do this correctly, having a construction level in hand, so we don’t see the need to describe the process itself.
Few acrylic pallets today come without legs, but if such a case occurs, then you need to do the following:
- There remains a slight depression around the perimeter, since the center of the tray is slightly higher.
- For metal (not acrylic) ones, a slab of extruded polystyrene is sometimes placed in the middle to provide thermal insulation to the area.
- The fastening is carried out using adhesive-sealant, so that if necessary, the pallet can be replaced.
The problem is that most flat pallets are placed on legs. In this case, their bottom is defenseless against the feet of users. Alternatively, you can attach removable formwork and pour concrete, where, after a certain period of time, install the pallet. The complexity of the operation lies in connecting the siphon, and the disadvantage is the inability to control leaks or change the sewer system.
Stone pallets
The easiest way is to install this type of pallet correctly. No frame is required, but a foundation is needed in all cases. The stone tray is very low. It would be a mistake to secure the slab too tightly, because someday the time for repairs will come, and it will be almost impossible to tear the slab off. That's right - just seal it around the perimeter with glue-sealant.
The most big problem in this case with a siphon. Obviously, you need to arrange it directly on the surface of the foundation (floor), or attach a flexible one, which, as it is finished, will hide in a niche prepared in advance. In the latter case, the foundation becomes a real work of art, because it would be nice to find a way to control leaks. No single instruction can be given here.
Cast iron pan
This type of pallet does not require installation. Simply placed on the floor. He doesn't need a frame, he doesn't need a podium. Its own height is enough to ensure reliable drainage into the sewer.
