How to plan shower pan height?

[Danne]

I have purchased a shower pan for the bathroom Reno's, "Wet Area Solutions 900 x 900mm Solid Surface shower base". The question I have is: the shower base at the edges is 22mm in height, working on a tile width of ~10mm and glue ~7-8mm it doesn't leave a lot of room when coming up against the shower base. In trying to keep a bit of fall to the centre drain would I need to add a 6mm packer under the pan to bring the level up, this will give me a bit of breathing space running the tiles down from the shower pan to the centre drain. I'll be using Sikaflex to stick it down but I'm guessing this will only give me another 2-3mm in height.

I know this is ment to be a lower profile shower pan but will it end up being to low?

Thoughts.

Thank you

Danny 

[EricL]

Hello @Danne 

Adding a 6 mm packer under the base is a sensible adjustment. It will bring the outer lip up closer to 28 mm, giving you more tolerance to create a smooth fall toward the drain without having the tile edge or grout joint sitting too proud. 

When setting the pan, you can still use Sikaflex (or another polyurethane-based adhesive), but do not rely on it to provide the needed height, it’s primarily a bonding and bedding material, not a levelling medium. The Sikaflex layer should ideally be a few millimetres thick for good adhesion, and your packers should do the work of bringing the level up evenly. Just make sure you use continuous support under the base (like a mortar bed or fibre-cement sheeting) so the pan doesn’t flex.

In short, your plan to raise the shower base with 6 mm packers is a good move. It will maintain the pan’s low-profile look while ensuring there’s enough clearance for proper tile fall and a clean finish against the pan edge.

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @Danne 

I agree with @EricL in that I think your packer idea is fine. The loss of being a "low-profile" base is a cosmetic thing not structural. So, if you're happy with that finish thats all that matters. 

I would question angling the base off level though to gain more fall. Is there not enough built into the base already? I would definitely be inclined to maintain plumb and level unless there is a particular issue to resolve.

Nailbag