This is going to be a long one this time from MrFixingIt, seen as we haven’t seen any blogging action on here in a while!
First off before attempting to install the shower tray, you must decide which shower tray you have purchased. Be it a solid resin, ceramic or an acrylic shower tray. The reason for this is that acrylic shower trays are the easiest to install and will be described in the second part of this blog!
For your solid resin or ceramic trays begin by lining the shower tray up where it is to reside and draw a pencil line on the floor to mark the position as well as marking the position of the shower trap, below the showers waste outlet. Now proceed to use a jig saw to cut out the area of the floor with enough room to allow for the shower trap and waste pipe, the hole needs to be big enough to incorporate the shower trap.
Once you put the tray in place you won’t be able to move it, so you will need to cut an access hatch into the floor next to the tray, you should be able to reach your hand in so you can comfortably reach the shower trap and outlet pipe. You may want to now make this a permanent access hatch. Simply fit pieces of batten underneath the edges and these will be enough to hold the hatch cover in place.
To fit the waste outlet simply follow the manufacturers instructions. But make sure that there are gaskets and washers on each side of the outlet, this will give you a perfect watertight seal.
Now comes the easy part, fixing the shower tray in place. Place a line of PVA around the line that you previously drew on the floor with your pencil. Now you will need to mix some mortar to a firm consistency whilst the PVA sets. Use four parts sand to one part cement to get the best mixture. Now you can proceed to spread a thin layer of the newly formed mortar where the tray is going to fit, make the layer approximately 3cm deep. Move the tray in to position, allowing it to bed down in to the mortar, using a spirit level to check that it is level from all angles, now you may smooth the mortar to give it that nice neat looking finish.
You can now connect the shower trap to the outlet pipe and use a small bit of silicone around the shower tray to seal it.

An Acryllic tray can be installed simply by following the manufacturers instructions an referencing the above directions to install it fully. If your tray isn’t pre-assembled screw the adjustable feet into position.

Fitting the shower surround, the usual place for a shower surround is in the corner of the room. So for this you need a side panel and a door, you’ll also more than likely need a bit of help for this part of the job. The surround shall come with specially designed panels that fix the shower to the wall, make sure to use a spirit level to position the channels in a perfectly vertical position on the edges of the shower tray. Now you may drill pilot holes where the panels shall be fixed, insert raw plugs into the wall. Once you have decided where to place the door, you may fix the side panel in to the channel where it should be placed. Now you may fit the opening door into the other channel, this is where it would come in handy to have some assistance to make it a bit easier, it is possible on your own; just a little bit tricky. Now follow the manufacturers instructions to fit the two panels together as they should now be resting at the edge of the shower tray. Now screw the fixtures permanently in place, you may also need to attach the shower door handle now if its not already in place. You can apply a single bead of silicone around the outside edges of the surrounding to make it water tight.

I hope you enjoyed this instalment of blogs by MrFixingIt, and we hope to see you next time!