A Request for Shower Pan Install

Here is a recent post on Craigslist requesting some shower pan work:

"I need a custom shower pan pour / installed and some patching of ceramic tiles. The dimensions are 34" x 54" . It needs to be leveled and rubber installed."

As a shower pan contractor here are some tips on information that you should provide in order to get an accurate quote and to quickly filter through potential contractors.

1. Describe the type of shower pan you currently have. There are two basic options prefabricated or a custom all tile shower pan. The prefabricated shower pans are usually made of fiber glass, acrylic, cast iron, etc. These shower pans have the tile come down right to the edge of the shower pan and then shower pan begins. Your contractor will need to know this so he can gauge the amount of work that is going to need to be done to demolition the old shower pan.

Prefabricated Finished Shower Pan

Tiled Shower Pan

2. Describe the type of shower pan you are going to want after; either the prefabricated finished pan or custom all tile shower pan. If you are going with custom ceramic tile shower pan ask your contractor how they waterproof the shower pan. There are several methods for example, hot mop, PVC liners, preformed bases, etc. You can also check with your local code to see what the approved methods are.

More Info on Hot Mop Shower Pans

Here we have a uniquely shaped shower pan. This shower pan presents a challenge in waterproofing its base. Because of its unique shape you can not purchase a prefabricated tile ready shower base. Your only option is a custom molded shower pan. In SoCal the best option in terms of cost to value is the hot mopped shower pan. This process creates correctly sloped shower pan that is tough and will with stand the inevitable construction traffic it will face.