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Dry Fit, Level, and Mark — Set and Level the Pan

Intermediate16 hours

Part of project

How to Install and Level a Shower Pan Base · Step 6 of 9

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In this video

Perform a final dry fit of the shower pan. Place the pan in the alcove and use a level to ensure it is level in all directions. If it's not level, use shims to adjust it. While the pan is in place, mark the height of the top flange on each wall stud with a pencil. This creates a crucial reference line for when you set the pan in the mortar. Also, determine the final height needed for the PVC drain pipe. For this Oatey drain, the pipe should extend about 1/8 inch above the top of the caulking gasket when it's seated in the drain. Mark the pipe, remove the pan, and cut the pipe to the correct height using a hacksaw.

Goal: Confirm level fit and determine drain pipe height

Used in this video

  • Level (Tool Type: Measuring Tools, Power Source: Manual) — Checking that the shower pan is level during the dry fit.
  • Pencil (Tool Type: Hand Tools, Power Source: Manual) — Marking the height of the pan flange on the wall studs.
  • Hacksaw (Tool Type: Hand Tools, Power Source: Manual) — Cutting the PVC drain pipe to the correct length.
  • Tape Measure (Tool Type: Measuring Tools, Power Source: Manual) — Measuring the cutoff point for the drain pipe.
  • Marker (brand: Sharpie, Tool Type: Hand Tools, Power Source: Manual) — Marking the cut line on the PVC drain pipe.
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Oatey Co

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FAQs

How difficult is it to install a shower pan for a DIYer, and what's the realistic time commitment?

This is an intermediate project, requiring precision and patience, especially with leveling and mortar work. While the estimated time is 16 hours, allow extra time for potential subfloor repairs or unexpected issues. Rushing can lead to costly mistakes, so take your time and don't skip steps.

Why is a mortar bed crucial for a new acrylic/fiberglass shower pan, and which type should I use?

A mortar bed provides essential solid support beneath the shower pan, preventing flex, squeaks, and potential cracking over time. It also allows you to precisely level the pan for proper drainage. The project specifically calls for Type S mortar, such as Greencore or Quikrete mortar mix.

What are the most critical steps to ensure my shower pan is perfectly level and drains correctly?

Accurate leveling begins with a solid, level subfloor. Dry-fit the pan multiple times, marking its position and checking it with a long level in all directions. When setting the pan into the mortar, continuously check for level and adjust the mortar bed as needed before the mortar begins to set.

What precautions should I take to prevent leaks around the drain assembly and where the pan meets the wall?

Ensure the drain fitting is properly installed and sealed according to its manufacturer's instructions, using plumber's putty or silicone caulk as recommended. Secure the pan's flanges to the wall studs precisely, and apply a waterproof sealant where the pan meets the wall before installing wall coverings to prevent moisture intrusion.

Transcript
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Now you should have already dry fit your shower pan a few different times in the last step. And that dry fitting was helping you with shimming up the walls in order to make this a perfect fit and also to locate the drain. And now we dry fit it again and make sure it's level in all areas. And if it isn't, we're going to have to shim it. Now once you've leveled it out and shimmed it, we're going to mark on each stud where the top of our lip is on the shower base. Now what that's going to help us with is when we put our mortar down, we will be able to push this down and get it back level with those points, those lines that we drew on our studs. Now the other reason for dry fitting this pan is to get this shower pipe cut to the proper height. So what we're going to do is we're going to put in our gasket and we want our shower pipe an eighth of an inch over the top of that gasket. Then we're going to mark it with a sharpie. So when we pull this back off again, we can mark it at the right height. So for our model, the DLT 1136480, which is a 36 by 48 center drain, our cutoff point is about a quarter inch above the subfloor.

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