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Installing A Brand New Mobile Home Shower Pan

A mobile home shower pan will take the place of a tub in any bathroom with a dedicated shower stall. The pan works the same way: it collects the water while you bathe and directs it toward the drain. Nearly every mobile home shower pan is made from acrylic or fiberglass, but their design and measurements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, the basic process for installing one is always the same.

Prep

Before starting, gather all the tools you’ll need during the installation of your mobile home shower pan. The full list is below. These are all standard tools. They should be available anywhere. The specialty items like caulk and carpenter’s level can be found at any home improvement store.

Tools and Materials Needed

  • Your Chosen Mobile Home Shower Pan
  • Power Drill (Cordless preferred—we could be working near water)
  • Drill Bits
  • Caulking gun
  • Silicone bath caulk
  • Tape measure
  • Framing square
  • Carpenter’s level
  • Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
  • Hammer
  • Adjustable pliers
  • 1.5” to 2” screws
  • Washers
  • Wooden shims
  • Masking Tape

1. Begin by measuring the place where your shower will be. Measure all the walls that will touch the sides of the shower pan and write these measurements down. You’ll reference these dimensions when you purchase your new shower pan. If you’re not sure which mobile home shower pan in our selection fits best, our customer service representatives can help you.

The mobile home shower pans that we have in stock are all either ABS or fiberglass. They come in a standard size of 32” x 32”, but we also have several models that are 54” x 27” to replace a standard size bathtub. We even have one shower pan at a massive 54” x 42”! Once you have your new mobile home shower pan you can start removing the old one.

2. Once the shower pan itself is out, make sure you prepare the installation site. Make sure all dirt, broken debris, and old glue is cleared from the area. Use a broom or vacuum to remove this debris, then scrape off old putty and caulk using a putty knife. Once the area is cleared, it’s generally a good idea to install a layer of water sealer to the area below the pan. Do not proceed until the water seal is dry.

3. After your seal coat is dry, make sure there is no left-over standing water in the area. If any water makes its way under the shower pan it can cause problems with mold and mildew and cause your caulk to improperly seal around the edges.

4. Now you can test-fit the shower pan in place. You won’t install it permanently just yet. This dry run is to make sure that everything fits properly and that there are no issues that need to be addressed before the shower pan is installed permanently. You don’t want the shower pan too loose because that can cause it to move and separate from the seals. That will cause leaks. But you don’t want the pan too tight, either. If it’s wedged in, it can stress and buckle the pan. Over time, this can cause cracks in the sealant as well as in the pan itself.

Installation

1. If you made any changes to the installation site after your test-fit, go ahead and place the new mobile home shower pan in place again. To attach the drain, first be sure to line up the drain cut out with the plumbing underneath. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction on how to couple the drain to your existing plumbing. There are various types of couplings that are used. The shower pan that you order will have more specific details. If you’re using a compression seal and you need to push it into place, only ever use a blunt tool. A sharp instrument like a screwdriver can poke holes or cause tears in your seal.

2. Use your carpenter’s level and some wooden shims to level the mobile home shower pan. The pan should always remain in contact with the base. You should only need a little bit of shimming. You shouldn’t need to add so much that the pan begins to “float” above the base. Once the pan is level, mark the edges on the studs in case it slips.

3. Now it’s time to attach the lip of the shower pan to the studs of the shower. Don’t drive nails or screws directly through the material of the lip. That will cause it to split, ruining your brand new shower pan. Instead, drill pilot holes in the lip and drive your screws or nails through them. Don’t over-tighten the screws! This, too, can cause cracks in the shower pan.

4. Once the pan is secured to the structure, you need to seal the pan with silicone bath caulk. Every spot where you drilled a hole needs to be sealed, as well as the seams where the pan edge makes contact with the studs. Use a very thin layer of caulk where the lip contacts the studs. Make sure it does not ooze out from under the lip, as this can affect the fitment of the shower surround. You’ll also want to run a bead of caulk along the edge of the mobile home shower pan where it meets the floor. If any caulk runs over, you can wipe it up before it dries. If you notice it only after it dries, it can usually be peeled up with a fingernail or a plastic razor blade.

5. Once the caulk is dry, check every seal and look for any leaks. Once the seals check out, you can start using your brand new mobile home shower pan. There is only one place to get the products you need for your mobile home as well as the expert advice on how to get it done. Remember: if you need any assistance on installation of your mobile home shower pan or choosing the right shower pan for your mobile home, please call our customer service representatives at 1-888-277-7220.

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