This article will tell you how to make a do-it-yourself shower tray in the washing room of a bath without professional training. Your own shower tray will be an excellent alternative to purchased shower trays and shower cabins, which are so widely represented in retail chains and stores.
It would be possible to go another way - to buy a ready-made shower tray or shower, and install it in your bath. Many people do this if there is a wooden floor in the washing room - there is simply no other way out. However, the acrylic pallets that are popular today are not strong enough, they are easily scratched and turn yellow over time. Installing them in a bath, where, as a rule, many people wash at the same time, is not entirely practical.
A good solution would be to install a ceramic shower tray or cast marble. They have high strength and durability, but the selling price for them is appropriate, if, of course, they are not made in China.
Steel pallets are made from relatively thin enamelled steel. They have a limited service life and are subject to corrosion when the enamel is chipped. In addition, they are quite noisy when hit by jets of water.
Another thing is when there is a concrete floor in the washing bath. It is not difficult to make a shower tray on it yourself. And if, then God himself ordered at his own discretion to equip a washing room in it: to decorate the floor, walls and, of course, a shower tray with ceramic tiles or mosaics.
The advantages of choosing such a shower tray are obvious:
- Long service life.
- Practicality in operation and maintenance.
- The possibility of manufacturing a pallet of any configuration that fits into the interior design of the bath. Color, depth, overall dimensions are selected depending on your wishes and needs. For example, if you increase the height of the wall of the pallet and its length, then it can turn into a bath.
- Unlimited design possibilities.
- Low cost of materials.
- It is also important that a properly made shower tray will be a source of pride and satisfaction from the work done.
Homemade shower tray device
The design of the proposed shower tray in the bath is a concrete base finished with ceramic tiles. There is a wall along the outer contour to prevent water from entering the washroom floor.
A shower drain is poured inside the base body, which serves to drain waste water into the sewer system. The bottom is made in the form of tetrahedral surfaces with a slope towards the ladder.
Before facing with ceramic tiles, all surfaces of the concrete base are treated with a cement-based waterproofing compound that is completely waterproof.
Facing with ceramic tiles was made using tile moisture-resistant tile glue, and the joints were sealed with moisture-resistant grout from the CEREZIT trademark.
To prevent contact with concrete, roofing material is laid along the wooden walls of the bathhouse, folded in two layers.
Do-it-yourself shower tray
The following basic materials will be required:
Things to consider before starting work on a pallet
Before you start making a pallet, you need to install the entire water drainage system: a shower drain and from it to the internal sewer system of the bath. Installation of a water supply system will not be considered in this article, since this is a separate topic and should be approached separately.
As mentioned above, the given example of arranging a shower tray is possible only if there is a solid and durable floor, such as concrete. In general, if the construction of a full-fledged washing room is planned in the bath, you should take care of this in advance, and at the stage make a concrete floor in the washing room. In the future, this will save you from possible problems that arise when using wooden floors in wet rooms.
There are two options for installing the shower drain:
- Before pouring concrete into the main floor layer.
- Directly on the finished floor.
In the first case, you can easily install a hidden sewage system, that is, lay drainage pipes from the pallet, passing through other rooms, below the level of the finished floor of the bath.
When arranging a pallet already on the finished floor, it will not always be possible to hide the sewer pipes if the recommended angle of inclination of 3 ˚ is maintained. For example, a drain pipe from a pallet, laid in an adjacent room to a sewer riser, may be located above its floor. In any case, you should take this fact into account and decide for yourself how best to do it: hide the sewer pipes or lay them on top.
The procedure for arranging a shower tray
In our example, the floor in the washing room is poured at the stage of foundation construction, taking into account the subsequent implementation of the screed, when the interior decoration of the bath will be done. This allows the sewer pipes to be laid below floor level.
So let's get started.
- We install a shower drain and drain pipes taking into account the thickness of the floor screed, the depth of the pallet and the required height of the drain grate itself.
- We lay roofing material along the walls in two layers and make a screed of such a thickness so that after the floor is tiled with ceramic tiles, the level of the clean floor is maintained, on the one hand, and the top of the flooded shower drain body is exactly at the level of the concrete screed, on the other.
- We produce.
- We install the formwork from boards with a thickness of 40 mm and along the walls we also lay roofing material in two layers. For fastening, we use nails, screws, steel corners, bars, and the like. It is important to secure it securely so that when the concrete is poured, the formwork does not change its original configuration.
- We pour concrete inside the formwork, taking into account what else will have to be done by the enclosing walls of the pallet and the inclination of its bottom towards the drain hole of the ladder.
- The next day, when the poured concrete has not yet fully stood, we install additional formwork boards for pouring the enclosing walls. The thickness and height of the walls, as well as the overall dimensions of the finished pallet, are selected purely for structural and design considerations.
- We install the upper sealing sleeve in the ladder, fill the walls with concrete mixture.
- The next day, we remove the formwork and make a bottom screed with an inclination towards the drain in the form of tetrahedral surfaces. The slope is made approximately, since when tiling, all defects can be eliminated by changing the thickness of the tile adhesive layer.
- After the concrete has finally stood, we cut the roofing material and process all surfaces of the pallet with Ceresit CT 17 universal primer and Ceresit CL 51 waterproofing mastic.
- For better adhesion of the tile adhesive, apply a layer of concrete contact over the waterproofing.
- We make facing with ceramics using waterproof tile adhesive “Ceresit CM 9”, and grouting with elastic water-repellent grout “Ceresit CE 40 Aquastatic”.
- We adjust the drain grate of the shower drain to the tile by cutting the sealing sleeve to the required height.
- We use the same materials for wall and floor cladding in the area of the pallet.
And in addition, this is a video about installing a shower drain.
Showers are popular. They are placed in the bathroom, toilet or any room where you can connect to the water supply and sewer. Ready-made structures available for sale, in addition to the usual shower, are equipped with additional functions: hydromassage, steam bath, air aromatization. A cozy booth for water procedures, equipped with plumbing if desired, can be built independently if you arrange a shower tray with your own hands. Read a detailed article about the selection and installation in our separate article, all processes are analyzed in detail, read and write your comments.
Showers are equipped in three ways:
- buy a ready-made container and set it on legs or a pedestal;
- on the floor, a podium is made of concrete with a drain of water, revetted with ceramic or polymer tiles, mosaics;
- before the start of construction, a lower level of the floor in the bath is provided so that the bowl of the pallet is located with it at the same horizontal level.
The first two options are more suitable for apartments. Additional filling of the floor over the entire area of the bath is impractical. The load on the floor increases, a step is formed at the entrance to the room.
When building private houses, you can draw up a project that involves laying sewer pipes below the floor level in the bathroom. This way the shower tray will not protrude and create a barrier.
Factory containers are made of stainless steel, coated metal, acrylic, polyurethane foam, ceramics. On individual orders, exclusive products are made from cast marble, artificial stone, which are distinguished by their massiveness.
Ready-made polystyrene pallet
Installation of standard pallets does not require specific knowledge and skills. The small weight of the containers allows you to install them yourself or with an assistant. Some structures are simply placed on the floor. Their shape is designed so that the drain is easily connected through the drain pipe to the sewer. If supports are not provided, brick, blocks or stone are laid around the perimeter, welded metal frames are used. Outside, they are lined with finishing materials or a screen is attached.
The main task when installing any shower tray is the correct connection to the sewer. The drain or siphon should be located at the lowest point of the container. This provides a free flow of water along the inclined plane of the bowl.
To connect the shower tray with your own hands to the sewer branch, create a slope of the outlet pipe of at least 2-3 cm per running meter. The joint angle with the manifold must not exceed 45 °. With these settings, the risk of contamination by solid particles is minimal, and cleaning by hand or with a cable is not difficult.
If the pallet is mounted on legs or stands, and access to the sewage system is free, the drain is equipped with a conventional siphon. It is inexpensive, but repairs require disassembly of the device. The minimum discharge height is 100 mm. If the bowl is monolithic, and it is not possible to penetrate under it, it is optimal to install a ladder.
Shower drains
Ladders provide collection and drainage of waste water, prevent the penetration of odors from the sewer into the room. They differ from the siphon by the possibility of disassembly and cleaning without dismantling the device. Some designs are equipped with a non-return valve that prevents waste waste from returning when the collector pipe is clogged.
The design of the plumbing device is more complex than that of the siphon. Consists of several parts:
- hulls;
- necks;
- water seal;
- insulating collar;
- clamping flange;
- grate protecting from coarse debris.
Water flows through the drain at a speed of 40-90 l / min, clearing away large particles or hair. The removable cup can be easily pulled out and the dirt removed.
Types of ladders
The odor trap is made in two versions - "dry" without water or "wet" with liquid. Some ladders are equipped with two barriers at once. For connection to the sewer network, the device is equipped with a drain pipe.
To equip the shower tray with your own hands, the ladder is selected according to the characteristics:
- Device height. When connected to a pipe, this parameter is used to calculate the required slope of the drain to the sewer.
- Number of conclusions. If the shower is the last in a row of plumbing fixtures, it is connected to the line with one outlet pipe. At an intermediate location - two.
- The presence of a check valve. It is desirable that the ladder be protected against flooding by sewage in emergency situations. Especially if the shower tray is located below floor level, or the shower room is in the basement.
- Decorativeness. The visible part of the ladder is a grate. Its function is to protect the device from clogging. However, it can beautify the shower tray. There are many options. Manufacturers even produce completely invisible designs that create the effect of water that has disappeared "nowhere".
For the equipment of shower rooms, standard drains are used that collect water at one point, or trays extended along the pallet. Such devices are characterized by high bandwidth.
Built-in pallet constructions
By location relative to floor level, shower trays can be barrier-free or raised. The flat bowl is very convenient for the elderly or people with disabilities. When installing such a structure, it is necessary to provide for a connection to the sewer in advance, so as not to increase the height of the floor in the bathroom.
Barrier-free pallet
The raised pedestal is made of brick or monolithic concrete, after having installed the plumbing equipment. The ladder and the branch pipe are laid inside the structure.
The device of monolithic pallets provides for mandatory waterproofing and insulation of the bowl. For this, coating or penetrating agents, roll materials, membranes are used.
Important. The container must be airtight to avoid leaks to the floors below.
The structure is insulated, as a rule, with extruded polystyrene foam. It is not afraid of moisture, waterproof, has low thermal conductivity. Material with a density of more than 35 kg / m³ can withstand the weight of the screed and finishing.
For the device of podiums with a rise height of 10 cm, use:
- Expanded clay concrete. It is heavier than polymer insulation, the weight of the site measuring 90x90x20 cm is more than 250 kg. When dry, the weight decreases by 3-4 times. To continue work, you need to wait several days for the monolithic mixture to harden.
- Aerated concrete blocks. Lightweight but prone to damage under stress. The masonry is reinforced with meshes in two levels - along the floor surface and the top of the structure.
- Ceramic red brick. More water resistant and warmer than silicate. Placed on the bottom of the pallet in 1-3 rows, leaving channels for sewer pipes, form sides.
To increase the comfort of water procedures, arrange the heating of the pallet. To do this, a warm floor is laid in the screed made of cable mats.
Pallet on a pedestal
The bowl is faced with ceramic or polymer tiles, mosaic and porcelain stoneware are glued. The finish with natural pebbles, natural or artificial stone looks impressive.
Important. Laying must ensure the tightness of the coating. Apply waterproof glue, carefully rub the seams.
How to make a pallet with your own hands - stages of work
DIY shower tray manufacturing technology includes:
- preparation and marking of the base;
- installation of a drain and a drain pipe;
- installation of formwork or laying bricks, blocks;
- thermal and waterproofing device;
- filling the screed;
- finishing.
Waterproofing is carried out in 2 stages - the floors under the pedestal are covered with a double layer of mastic and a thick film is laid over the insulation.
Pallet sizes are not standardized. It is believed that the minimum dimensions that ensure the ergonomics of the space are 80x80 cm. The bowl is formed in the form of a square, rectangle, angular or complex figure. It is for the freedom of choice that self-made structures are valued.
Preparatory work
Before making a brick or concrete shower tray, perform the necessary measurements, calculations and a drawing. This will help to avoid mistakes when laying communications, leading to frequent blockages, stagnant water.
Most often, shower trays are located in the bathroom, bath or sauna. Surfaces are prepared - the old finish is removed, leveled, primed. To accurately determine the height of the ladder rise above the floor level, the points for connecting to the sewer are deduced. A slope of 2-3 cm per meter of communications must be observed. It is advisable to install the pipe in a straight line, without turns, with connection to the manifold at an angle of no more than 30 °. The diameter of the branch is 50 mm.
Connecting the drain to the sewer pipe
For a more precise regulation of the position of the ladder, it is recommended to fill in the rough screed. Some plumbing fixtures are anchored to the floor and adjusted with special screws.
Marking is carried out using a bubble or laser level. Mark on the wall with a pencil the height of the throat of the ladder corresponding to the lowest point on the surface of the cladding.
To determine the size of the sides, the tiles are laid out on the floor. Make the necessary calculations to fit as many whole elements as possible without cutting.
Installation of the ladder
The most successful placement of the ladder is in the corner. There it is less exposed to stresses when moving a person, the gaskets last longer. The plumbing device is installed strictly horizontally, controlling the position with a level.
They are mounted on supports made of bricks or blocks. The cavity is filled with a solution and left to harden for a day.
The upper opening of the ladder is covered to prevent debris from entering. To prevent the drain from moving, a limiter is placed under it, for example, a piece of a sewer pipe.
Formwork installation
After aligning the ladder, the vertical dimensions of the pallet are finally marked. They mount the formwork from boards, plywood, drywall scraps or lay out a brick wall.
Construction of a podium made of brick or concrete
If the size of the podium exceeds 20-25 cm, its weight can be reduced by arranging layered preparation. For this, several schemes are used (starting at the level of the base floor):
- base waterproofing + expanded clay concrete 100 mm thick + 50 mm expanded polystyrene insulation + waterproofing + floor leveler or 100 mm mortar;
- primer + insulation 100 mm + waterproofing + leveling agent or concrete 100 mm;
- expanded clay concrete 100 mm + waterproofing + leveling agent 100 mm.
In the latter version, a damper tape is laid along the walls.
bottom layer
The base is thoroughly treated with waterproofing mastic with an approach to the wall to a height equal to the thickness of the concrete pad plus 20 cm. Where water ingress is possible, it is impossible to leave leaky areas.
A mixture of cement, sand, expanded clay and water is prepared in a ratio of 1/3/5/1. It is poured into the formwork to a thickness of 10 cm. A damper tape is preliminarily laid along the walls, the formwork is fixed with props, the joints are sealed in order to avoid leakage of the cement "milk". You can pour dry granules and fill with a liquid solution. Before laying the insulation, the concrete must harden.
If a brick base is arranged, plasticizers are added to the masonry mortar to increase the hydrophobic properties of the mixture. A reinforcing mesh with a 10x10 cm cell is laid on the floor. The finishing screed is also reinforced with reinforcement.
DIY brick pallet
Installation of thermal insulation
In the plates of expanded polystyrene, holes are cut out for the inlet of the sewage system, the body of the ladder. The insulation is laid on a concrete pad, the joints are filled with sealant.
The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is 50 mm. If the heating of the pallet is provided, the thermomats are laid out over the surface, fixed with plastic brackets to the insulation plates. A dense polyethylene film with a thickness of 200 microns is spread over the expanded polystyrene with an outlet on the wall. The finishing screed can now be poured.
Screed and tiling
Concrete or leveling material is made with a minimum amount of water in order to obtain a semi-dry mass. Lay the layer to the level of the bottom of the tile, which was previously marked on the wall.
A slope towards the ladder can be created using special beacon profiles with inclined edges. If they are not there, set the angle with the building level. To check the correctness of the installation, a technique is used: a small children's ball should roll to the lowest point of the pallet to the drain.
The cladding is glued with waterproof compounds. Before making a tile shower tray, you need to consider all the options for installing a drain. The position of the protective grill is chosen so that it can be carefully bypassed and the number of cuts in the finishing material is reduced. The joints and abutments are carefully filled with acrylic sealant. For grouting, hydrophobic compounds are used. At the end of the laying of the tiles, the walls are tiled on the floor, partitions are installed or curtains are hung.
Bathroom renovations often involve replacing plumbing fixtures. Do-it-yourself installation of a shower cabin is possible, but if the budget is limited and there is no money to buy an expensive shower box or bathroom, you can make a shower tray with your own hands.
This solution also allows you to show your own individuality and creativity.
- metal;
- acrylic;
- cast iron, etc.
But it is not always possible to install such a pallet in the bathroom.
In old buildings, the bathrooms are very small, and in order to accommodate all the necessary plumbing there, you can make a shower tray from brick, concrete or tiles of a small size and an unusual shape.
How to do it yourself
To make a shower tray yourself, you must carefully prepare the place where this structure will be.
Important! Before installing the shower tray, it is necessary to carry out high-quality waterproofing of all surfaces that are in the immediate vicinity of the planned structure.
Brick and concrete
One of the most common shower trays that are made with are those made of bricks and concrete.
These pallets can be made in any shape and size. A concrete and brick shower tray is a great alternative to an expensive shower box.
Materials and tools
Materials and tools required for the pallet device:
- brick;
- cement;
- plaster lighthouse;
- metal grid;
- waterproofing mixture;
- trowel;
- drill;
- mixer nozzle;
- sand;
- paint brush;
- roulette;
- level;
- drain for the pallet;
- self-leveling mixture;
- putty knife.
Pallet installation
In order to make a do-it-yourself shower tray, you need to properly prepare the base.
Photo: site preparation It is better to make the pallet even before the walls and floor are completely finished. In the places where the pallet adjoins the wall, you must also treat the wall with waterproofing to avoid the appearance of mold.
Photo: waterproofing The waterproofing is applied with a paint brush in a thin layer, first under the screed, then over the screed and immediately before the cladding.
In order for the floor in the shower to be warm, you can put the "Warm floor" electrical system under the final screed. Such a system fits not only under the pallet itself, but also around it.
Photo: underfloor heating system After the first layer of waterproofing has completely dried, you can start shaping the outline of the brick shower tray.
Photo: brick outline Both ordinary brick and silicate brick are suitable for this. The brick is laid on a cement-sand mortar (or a special mixture that is sold in any hardware store). It is also necessary to lay a metal mesh on the base in order for the base to be very strong.
Photo: water drainage system Important! The drain for water must be of high quality, since after the completion of the construction of the pallet, it will no longer be possible to replace it.
After that, you can install building beacons and fill in the rough screed. For a rough screed, you can use a cement-sand mortar with the addition of crushed stone.
Photo: screed The pouring area is small and a trowel or spatula is used to level the surface. The mortar must be compacted with a trowel, immersing it with an edge into the mortar with precise movements.
After the rough screed has dried, the surface must again be treated with a waterproofing mixture. This is done so that moisture does not get into deep layers of concrete or floor slabs.
Photo: once again waterproofing Also, high-quality waterproofing will avoid the appearance of mold and mildew not only in the bathroom, but also in adjacent rooms.
Video: waterproofing a tile shower tray
Then a self-leveling mixture must be applied to a dry surface. Around the drain, you need to make a smooth deepening so that the water flows unhindered. It is better to purchase a glass for water of high quality metal.
When the layer of self-leveling mixture is completely dry, you need to apply waterproofing again. This waterproofing layer must be applied with great care, especially where the floor joins the walls and around the water outlet.
For extra safety, it is better to make the sharp edge of the pallet smooth, semicircular.
The next step will be the lining of the shower tray.
DIY tile pallet
For lining the pallet, you can use ordinary ceramic floor tiles, but the mosaic will look more beautiful.
Materials and tools
Materials and tools required for tiling the shower tray:
- tile for floor or mosaic;
- glue mixture for laying tiles (it is better to use a water-repellent one);
- notched trowel (comb);
- level;
- roulette;
- rubber hammer;
- grinder or tile cutter;
- construction knife;
- water-repellent grout for joints;
- rubber spatula;
- crosses for seams.
Photo: tools for laying tiles Phased installation of tiles
Before starting installation, you need to prepare an adhesive composition. It is prepared using a drill with a mixer attachment in the exact proportions recommended by the manufacturer.
Photo: adhesive for laying tiles Tile laying should be started from one corner. For high-quality installation, the adhesive mixture is applied to the surface with a notched trowel, the tiles are laid on the adhesive and pressed down.
Photo: laying tiles To adjust the level, use a rubber mallet, tapping in the right places. The evenness and uniform size of the seams can be controlled using special plastic crosses.
After laying the tiles over the entire surface, it is necessary to fill the joints with a special mixture. It serves to prevent water from getting under the cladding.
The mixture is prepared in small portions and rubbed into the seams with a rubber spatula.
Next, you need to rinse the entire surface with a damp cloth to remove the remains of the grout mixture. To make the seams the same, you can pass them with the back of the spatula (the plastic handle of a special spatula is designed for this).
Photo: finished pallet After completing all the work, the surface of the tile is washed and wiped dry again.
Step-by-step installation of the mosaic
Mosaic is a very beautiful finishing material, which is usually used for cladding shower trays, or for solving other design problems.
Photo: plastic and glass mosaic for bathroom The mosaic can be made of glass and plastic. Any mosaic can be used for the pallet.
For mosaics, it is better to use a white adhesive. Laying the mosaic starts from one corner.
The adhesive is applied to the surface with a notched trowel and the tiles are applied. The tile is pressed a little, while excess glue must be removed immediately.
In the article: read detailed instructions on the installation of polypropylene pipes.
For how to hide pipes in the toilet, watch the video.
A self-installed acrylic bathtub on a frame fits perfectly into the interior of a modern bathroom. How to do it? ...
Tiles are trimmed with a construction knife or scissors, since the base of the mosaic is paper or in the form of a mesh.
Photo: mosaic installation After laying the mosaic, you can start grouting. Seams are rubbed with a special waterproof trowel mixture using a rubber trowel.
Grouting on the mosaic is a very crucial moment, which must be carried out very quickly and the remains of grout should be wiped off immediately.
Photo: wash and wipe dry After filling the joints, the tiled surface must be thoroughly washed and wiped dry.
Video: installation of a shower channel
Currently, shower cabins are gaining wide popularity. In summer cottages, showers are simply irreplaceable, but also in apartments it becomes relevant. The shower tray is one of the main elements of the arrangement of the structure.
Of course, you can simply buy a shower tray, and invite specialists to install it. However, this option will be expensive and not always meet the requirements. Sometimes you want everything to be as intended: size, shape, convenience. In such cases, a handmade shower tray is suitable.
Features of pallets
A shower tray is a limited space where a person takes a shower, which is designed to collect and drain all the flowing water. Consequently, the main requirements for the design are to provide protection against the spreading of water and its reliable discharge into the sewage system and the convenient location of the person taking a shower. Moreover, everything should be provided in the limited space of the bathroom. In addition, shower trays should be aesthetically pleasing.
One of the main conditions is the limited area. Standard designs have a minimum size of 70x70 cm, and a maximum of 140x140 cm. The most common size of one side is 90-100 cm. It is believed that such dimensions allow you to take a shower quite comfortably.
Protection against spillage of water coming from the shower is ensured by the use of moisture-resistant materials and a design that includes bumpers along the edge. By the height of the side, pallets are subdivided into small ones - with a height of up to 45 mm; medium - with a height of 5-10 cm; deep - with a height of 18 cm and more.
The outflow of water must be ensured by a reliable drainage system associated with the sewer system. To organize such a drain, special siphons are used. The drainage of water should be carried out through inclined pipes, which can increase the installation height of the pallet by 10-20 cm.
The shower tray must be strong enough to withstand vertical loads and impacts. It should be designed for very large people, and moving along the surface. Naturally, the material must withstand the chemical attack of detergents, cosmetics and cleaning agents at elevated temperatures.
Finally, a person should not feel discomfort while taking a shower. He should have a warm, comfortable platform under his feet. The main thing is that the pallet is not slippery, i.e. had a surface with an increased coefficient of friction even in the presence of water on it.
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Constructions
Structurally, any shower tray or shower stall is a body in the form of a platform with sides, into which a siphon is mounted, connected through a drain pipe to the sewer system. A seating area may be provided on the pallet. The pallet body itself can be made monolithic and separately installed on a prepared site, or it can be made on site in different ways.
Pallets can be of various shapes - square, rectangular, angular, oval, polygonal, round. Depending on the location of the shower relative to the walls, the most popular are angular and rectangular shower trays.
According to the materials used, the most characteristic shower trays can be distinguished. Acrylics are widespread. They have sufficient strength, long service life; easy to clean and easy to install. Standard pallets are available in a variety of shapes and colors. Cast iron pallets are very reliable, but heavy. Steel enamelled trays have one significant drawback - the unreliability of the enamelled coating upon impact. Ceramic ones have aesthetic appeal, but they warm up slowly and are quite fragile.
Homemade shower trays are usually a concrete structure with a lined surface. Ceramic tiles, plastic, natural and artificial stone are used as facing materials. Devices made of marble and granite are very beautiful. Mosaic elements are used for decoration.
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Site preparation
The installation of the shower tray begins with the preparation of the place where the installation is planned. The pallet should be located directly next to the drain into the sewer. Otherwise, an inclined pipe will have to be laid to the installation site, which will lead to the need to increase the installation height. Anything that might interfere with the installation is removed. The dimensions are specified and the place for installation is marked. If the pallet is planned to be made by hand, then the entire floor covering is dismantled to the concrete screed.
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Installation of drain
The first stage in installing the pallet is the installation of the water drain. The main condition for water drain is that the water should leave by gravity, which is possible when the outlet is tilted at an angle of at least 3º. The design of the water drain includes a ladder and a squeegee. The shower drain acts as an intake hole for water and a siphon (water constipation from odors). A squeegee is a piece of pipe that connects the ladder to the entrance to the sewer pipe. Usually, both the ladder and the squeegee are made of plastic.
Installation is carried out as follows. The plastic squeegee is connected to the sewer pipe, and the joint is treated with a sealing compound. The squeegee pipe is installed at the desired angle of inclination and is fixed in this position with stands made of wooden blocks. A ladder is installed on the squeegee. The ladder pipe is horizontal. The junction of the ladder with the squeegee is sealed. The drain pipe of the ladder should be located exactly at the place where the drain from the pallet is marked (most often in the center of the pallet). The position of the ladder is fixed with stands.
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Installation of finished pallets
Ready-made pallets can be installed on any floor surface, as they have sufficient tightness. If the floor surface is disturbed by the dismantling of the previous plumbing, then it is necessary to level the floor using a cement-based dry mortar. The floor covering is being restored, similar to the rest of the floor in the room.
A ready-made pallet is installed on the prepared and cleaned floor. Legs (usually there should be at least 6 pieces) are adjusted so that the structure is horizontal, which should be checked with a level. Supports and locking bolts are secured. If the length of the legs is not enough for installation at the desired height (up to the level of the ladder), then additional supports for the legs made of durable materials are fixed. The pallet is glued to the wall using special glue. The joint of the device with the wall is covered with a silicone-based sealant.
The ladder is passed into the drain hole of the pallet and the drain grate is screwed in. The junction is sealed with a special FUM tape. Additionally, the place where the drain is installed is treated with silicone sealant.
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Making the base
A homemade pallet is usually made on the basis of concrete, therefore it is advisable to provide thermal and hydraulic protection. First, the floor is leveled with a layer of self-leveling cement mixture. Then a layer of thermal insulation is applied, for example, of extruded polystyrene foam. On top of the thermal insulation, a layer of waterproofing made of polyethylene film and a mounting mesh are laid. An easier way is to lay a layer of bricks and waterproofing.
The base of the pallet is poured in several layers. For pouring, it is best to use a cement-based plaster mortar. The first layer is applied to the mesh to impregnate the substrate, its thickness is 10-15 mm. Beacons are installed on this layer, indicating with their top the location of the final surface of the base of the pallet, taking into account that the surface has a slight slope towards the drain hole, and the height of the base is lower than the level of the ladder by the thickness of the topcoat.
The second layer (main) is applied after the first has dried. Finally, the base is formed by a third leveling layer up to 10 mm thick, which is applied along the tops of the beacons. After that, the beacons are removed, and the surface is leveled and sanded. It is better to make this layer from a finishing putty mixture with the addition of waterproofing compounds. When filling, it is necessary to ensure that the drainage system does not move.
After making the base, you need to make a side. For this, plywood formwork is installed, which determines the height, width and shape of the side. The formwork is poured with a cement mixture. After the mortar has dried, the formwork is removed, and the walls of the base and the side are exposed to plaster and putty. If the pallet has a rectangular shape, then the sides can be made of silicate bricks with subsequent plastering. The entire surface of the base of the pallet is covered with a primer mixture based on waterproofing compounds. For this, a mastic based on fiber rubber, preferably reinforced, is suitable.
It is not difficult to make a brick shower tray with your own hands. The main thing is to follow the advice of experts. The base for any shower stall is exactly the pallet. In general, only he, the curtain and the shower head are the main elements, thanks to which the shower stall will already be finished. You can purchase a ready-made structure manufactured at the factory, or make it yourself.
Self-construction of a brick shower tray will cost several times cheaper than a ready-made factory design.
By the way, with this option, the project will fit perfectly into the interior of the room. In addition, it will be adapted to your own needs. An important advantage is the price, since self-production will cost much less than a factory design, and besides, the project itself is not typical.
How to drain and prepare the floor
Regardless of what material is used for the pallet, whether a ready-made version will be used or whether it is decided to build such a pallet on our own, first of all, you need to deal with the drain system. The first stage is to manufacture and equip this system.
First you need to decide on the entrance that will lead to the sewer. From the bottom to the very entrance, you need to follow the angle of inclination. It should be approximately 3-5 °. If you forget about this rule, you will have to think over other options for solving the problem with the drain and choose the sewer entrances. You can also raise the pallet further.
For example, you can raise the floor level of the shower stall itself. If such options are not suitable, then it is necessary to plan the installation of a special pump for the sewage system.
Next, you need to additionally select the device itself through which the drain will pass. Manufacturing companies offer two options for such designs. Firstly, you can use the trap type, and secondly, the siphon type. If a built-in stone pallet is used, then it will be much more convenient to use ladders. There are many variations of this mechanism. In addition, it is much easier to maintain than a siphon one. But for standard shower trays, the siphon version is suitable.
In addition, at this stage of construction, it is required to consider whether there will be access from the side to the drainage device. If access is blocked, it is recommended to use the ladders after all. Only after this is the installation of the entire drainage system carried out. During assembly, a silicone-type sealant must be used. It must be applied in advance to the detachable parts when they are joined.
Next, you need to prepare the floor for the shower. Here the process is divided into several phases, which will differ depending on which pallet is used. Firstly, for waterproofing, you need to put PVC films. Such a layer is designed to keep the structure itself from constant exposure to moisture. Secondly, the floor itself in the room is leveled. For this, you can use a variety of mixtures. For example, it is best to choose a mixture with self-leveling properties. This will make the process much easier. You can also use concrete mortars that are made by yourself.
How to build a shower tray
If you decide to make your own shower tray, then concrete and brick are used.
The whole process goes through the following stages:
- First you need to make a brick podium with your own hands. This is required in order to block the pipes that will be located in it. So no one will notice them. It is required to expose the formwork for the future structure. Then beacons are set up. Next, you need to put a mesh for reinforcement. The drain from the pallet must be fixed with alabaster. It is imperative not to forget that the slope should be about 5 °. Then the podium is laid out of silicate-type bricks. But you need to leave a place where the drain pipe will be located.
- Next, you need to fill the podium screed.
- Now you need to install a drain or a drain, depending on the pre-selection. You can use a grinder and a punch to make it more convenient.
- After these steps, you need to think over the sides for the pallet and arrange them as needed. For example, you can make a brickwork or decorate the place with natural stone.
- Then you need to cast the sides and plaster them.
- Next, it is required to apply a couple of layers of a rubber bitumen mixture for waterproofing on the inside. This needs to be done with a small roller. By the way, layers are also applied to the walls if they are also included in the pallet.
- Depending on the readiness of the waterproofing layer, external finishing work in the booth needs to be done. For example, you can decorate everything with mosaics or lay out ceramic tiles.
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If you choose a ready-made shower tray, then installation will not take much time. But the site in this place also needs to be prepared in advance. It will not be difficult. Before installing the shower tray, you first need to check the siphon itself. Quite often, factory designs have a low quality siphon, especially if the products were cheap.
I apply this building level. It is allowed to skew, but it should be very small. Moreover, the skew should be directed precisely to the drain hole. You also need to check that the pallet does not sway, which happens quite often. Typically, structures have special feet-nuts that allow you to make additional settings. If they are absent, then pads can be used, but they must be made of a material that is hard and resistant to moisture. You can use glue or cement mortars. Then the pallet itself is fixed on the main structure to the walls or floor. There are many methods and additional materials for this. For example, you can weld, glue, use embedded fasteners, and more.
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Summing up
Making a pallet with your own hands will be very simple. Regardless of whether a ready-made structure is used or a person decided to build it himself, first of all, you need to deal with the drain. Only then can you start processing the floor and erecting the structure itself. You can also make an original bath out of bricks. A home-made option will cost much less, moreover, it will be completely different from the factory one, thereby satisfying the needs of residents.