How to Line a Shower Pan

Your shower pan serves as the strong, waterproof base that holds the shower in place while simultaneously directing water away from the subfloor and toward the drainage pipes. The shower pan consists of a sub-liner, traditionally made of roofing felt, plastic or another type of waterproof material, a mortar bed and a shower pan liner. Like the original sub-liner, you can construct a shower pan liner out of a variety of durable and waterproof materials, such as chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) or poly-vinyl chloride.

Measuring tape
Scissors
Shower pan liner
Sealant
Nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the shower floor. Add 3 inches to the final measurements on each side. The Uniform Commercial Code requires that the shower liner's sides be installed a minimum of 3 inches higher than the base.
- 2
  Cut the liner to size with a pair of scissors to fit the measurements noted in Step 1.
- 3
  Pre-fold the corners of the shower pan if you are using a stiff material, such as CPE.
- 4
  Lay a thick bead of sealant over the rim of the drain body. This will adhere the shower pan liner to the exterior of the drain, ensuring that moisture trapped inside the pan will flow down the drain.
- 5
  Lay the shower pan liner in the shower. Nail the edges to the wooden sides of the shower frame.
- 6
  Cut the shower liner to fit over the threshold of the shower with scissors. Nail it down. Leave at least 2 inches of the shower liner hanging over the shower threshold.
- 7
  Cut a hole in the shower pan liner for the drain itself but not the drain body. Push the shower liner into place over the sealant that covers the drain body.

How to Install a Pre-Made Shower Pan

How to Build an Open Shower

Bathrooms