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How to install a replacement shower?

Basically aiming for a DIY shower de-and re-instal. Some advice would really be appreciated for this DIY project. Things to watch out for. First I'm planning to rip out the 1980s set up. The visible part of the base, seen from top, is 860 x 860 mm max, side to side, and 820 x 820 from back to front where sliding door is. How that makes for a 900 x 900 base I'm not sure, unless 2 cm or so of the lip are all under the wall coverings. Anyway, the plan is to rip it all out, then get the plumber to get the pipes and exit right for a new solid tray (900 x 900 and high grade acryl or similar walls. 900 x 1200 might also fit easily if linen cupboard is taken away. Descriptions of tray and potential walls are generally not clear enough in terms of quality. I need recommendations, what's good, what's bad. What to watch out for. Not planning to use tiles. A front glass door would be fine, perhaps with a narrow fixed glass panel to keep door width relatively small. What do I watch out for? What do I need? Also what shower fittings might be good quality, with hand-held shower as well as overhead. Neither want old style shower head (truly sick and tired of it) nor exaggerated modern one (what the heck!). Nothing wasteful. I guess tray needs to be set in mortar. Any advice there? Walls are villaboard, I guess, sealed and painted,then lining glued. With what exactly? How to get sizes right? How about edges and corners? What do I use. Would thick paper templates be a good idea? Any advice on those steps, esp. handling of lip and cladding/lining over it. I'm checking everything Bunnings has; not sure that's enough. Very much appreciated, Nick.

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EricL

Hello @maync

Thank you for sharing your question about how to install a new shower. Taking the shower apart along with its accessories should be relatively achievable. Please note that working with glass is dangerous, an accidental hit with a tool or when too much force is applied can make the glass shatter and cause injury. Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your demolition project.

The temptation to install your own shower is very appealing due to the possible savings you'll make. But any mistakes made in the installation can have financial consequences that you might not be aware of. I therefore suggest a compromise; you can remove and uninstall the old shower cubicle which will save you a reasonable amount in demolition fees. But engage the services of a professional to install your shower properly. This will guarantee that the shower is installed safely and is compliant with all local rules and regulations.

Since you have a 3-sided shower you would technically need just a door. I propose looking at the Estilo 900 x 1830mm Chrome Adjustable Framed Shower Screen - Front Only. It is adjustable and fits a standard Estilo 900mm x 900mm Shower Base 4 Lip Rear Outlet. This is the part where it gets complex as the installer will now have to make sure that the tray fits properly and use the proper wall boards for the wet area. Waterproofing will need to be applied by a registered agent as it will need to be signed off. If you are not keen on using tiles, I propose looking at the Wall Art 2400 x 1200 x 3mm New York White Tile Wet Area Wall / Shower Panel or a wall covering of your choice. I recommend having a discussion with your installer in regards to the type and style of shower enclosure you have in mind.

In regards to the shower fittings, I suggest looking at the Estilo WELS 3 Star 9L/min Chrome 3 Function 1/2 Twin Rail Shower Set and the Caroma Chrome Jade Shower Mixer which is a dependable brand. The shower head offers you both the rainhead function and the lift off shower arm which will allow you to clean the shower efficiently.

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration - Top 10 most popular bathroom projects

Here are some discussions you might find useful:

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

All comments

EricL

Hello @maync

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration - Top 10 most popular bathroom projects

Here are some discussions you might find useful:

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @maync

Bathrooms and showers make me nervous 🙂 Mainly because I havnt done one as yet.

That said @EricL's suggestion of removing the old yourself and getting a professional to install the new one is probarally what Id want to do as well. I would talk to the plumber before removing anything so you can get a clear idea of how much you will save and if its worth it/complexity/materials that are existing in the walls (asbestos)

For the replacement bits, I find going to bathroom stores (inc bunnings) and physically going around and kicking the tyers in effect work well for determining what I realy like and what feels solid to me. I remember being all keen on a solid shower base until I stood in it and went mmmm Nooooo.

With tapware, I had an idea of the look I wanted (old school cross armed taps) and my existing ones I had to remove due to a failed washer (I marked the cowl of the tap itself in trying to remove it) so A new one was in order. Dont worry about strange looks, the people in the bathroom/kitchen area are all hunting for the same stuff 🙂 Once you find the style that you like then I generally go nuts checking out how its installed. (hate mixer taps in kitchens lol They are always fiddly)

Tollerances - This is a hard one for something that we havnt installed, its what catches us up. One reason id get a professional in to install the base and screen. What we think is not necassary what actually is right just because we havnt stumbled through an install before. 20mm here, 20mm there and we are scratching our heads why....

Physically vist showrooms, tick

Play with tapware, soap holders ect. abuse them gently. tick

Find a tradie you feel confidant, ANY hesitation over them means a "X" you have the luxuary of finding another. tick

Find out the benifits of you removing and disposing of the old material (safely) mmm hesitant tick.

Waterproofing the area if needed, the plumber/builder will know more. to be answered tick

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @maync

To be frank, what you're asking with 20 questions is far more complex to respond to in this online forum. There is a significant amount of considerations one not mentioned and probably the most important is waterproofing. That said, the shower is the most involved and my first thought is why just replace the showers and not redo the entire bathroom and add real value to the home? It's actually far easier to remove all of the bathroom than just one small section if you want to do it properly. Of course, this is all dependant on how long you expect to stay there for. 10yrs + and I would be putting in a new bathroom, especially of your considering enlarging the space by utilising the linen cupboard. However, then you will need to look at what permits might be required? This is your first step!

Nailbag

maync

Hi Eric,

Many thanks for your advice on installing a new shower. From the various contributions to the topic I learned some common pitfalls. I understand this but am game to go ahead by myself with in-family help and a plumber.
This is an 80s house, so I don't plan a remodeling of any scale. Just the shower cubicle. The current unit is 900 x 900 and would require just the front part, as you say. But looking at various options I think an enclosure (narrow front panel, pivoting door, and side panel (return) where there is currently the wall of a linen cupboard, would look pretty smart, especially if planned on a tray 1000 x 1000 mm.

I've done a lot of research about dismantling the old and installing new items. I think I understand how all the parts work together, what to look out for, and that precision is paramount. I'm not completely new to the DIY game. Built a house in NSW, and brought back to life an ancient house, apart from some other tricky projects. I think I can handle it but haven't completed getting answers on how to proceed with the heavy and fragile parts once arriving here on the back of a truck. Glass panels weigh 30 kg plus (i.e. for 6mm framed glass—I prefer framed), and the tray may even be heavier. All this needs great strength and care to be moved upstairs and readied for installation, so in that logistics area my homework hasn't been quite done yet. I was able to determine, with a lot of poking and measuring, how the old unit was put together and what changes a new one would entail. Best to strip to the studs and clear the floor boards of old construction glue. Then start from there.

There will be many parts where Bunnings come very handy, as usual, especially some good options for tap ware, mixer, shower head, etc. So there will be quite a bit of back and forth. I'll make a photographic record and hope to encourage the DIY community with it.

Thank you again for ample views and ways to proceed.

EricL

Hello @maync

Thank you very much for that update and extra bit of information. It sounds like this is not your first rodeo and have a fair bit of D.I.Y experience. My best advice is to triple check your measurements and are cleared for all the local rules and regulations of your local council.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the start of your bathroom renovation.

Eric

maync

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your advice. There is one piece you wrote, I would like to get to know what it was that turned you off in "I remember being all keen on a solid shower base until I stood in it and went mmmm Nooooo." I know trays come in different qualities and executions. I also consider tiles, which always gives a solid feeling under the feet. I thought a wider base, like 1000 x 1000 mm might give a roomier feeling. Apparently, enclosures/liners are available for that size as well. I've always enjoyed building sth. that was really a bit over my head, a real challenge, and then, before starting, buckle down and study the subject and the actual place in detail. I'm poking around the old shower a lot. I think I got the picture. So I think I can handle that, including inserting additional studs, etc. I shall make a photo story, as I go, for others to consider. Glass is a worry, but we should be able to handle that as well, given heaps of caution. Anyway, we'll see. Many thanks to you and all the others giving advice. A Merry Christmas and a good start in the New Year. Nick

JacobZ

Hi @maync,

Allow me to tag @Dave-1 so he is notified of your additional query.

Hopefully, he will respond shortly.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Afternoon @maync

🙂 Yeah I still remember that feeling of the shower bases I have stepped into. In particular, if they are not supported properly I find they sound hollow and at the worst even have flex in them. I have seen a few over the years and even tho I like the waterproofing of a whole unit, the plastic always feels to age.

If I found a version that looked as much like tiles as tiles do then I may choose it tho I would probarrlly get it done by someone who has experience in installing that type of base. Its just not worth that hollow feeling.

Dave

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