Installation

The Universal Shower Base has been designed to meet the demanding needs of modern wet areas.

The shower base is manufactured with a built-in gradient and can be installed on, Concrete slab, Directly on top of floor joists, on top of a Timber floor or Steel bearers.

Download the instructions

If you would like a copy of our instructions you can download them or read them below.

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BEFORE STARTING (Please Note shower base needs to be PROPERLY SUPPORTED) check that the;

• substrate is level
• for concrete check the void does not exceed 280mm under the base (This will need to be back filled once the shower base is installed and the plumbing is fitted off)
• for flooring or joists check bearers, joists and trimmers are in good condition are able to fully support the shower base (minimum of 280mm centres) and have no flex anywhere you intend to tile (where the base will sit). To reinforce structure insert trimmers between joists where necessary.

Tip: Substrate needs to be level and base properly supported.

Preparing the area for the shower base

• Notch out wall plate 10mm and studs 35mm in shower area, (140mm high) to allow the base to be recessed into the wall and your trimmer to fit;
• Use trimmers (70mm x 35mm for example) to hold base down as construction adhesive cures (4hours).
• For timber floors, check floor joists don’t clash with the waste and cut no more than100mm diameter in flooring for waste

Trimming shower base – for level entry or hob

Any sides that are not checked into the wall studs will need to be trimmed down to hob or shower screen height (approx. 50mm) or trimmed off flush with the shower base for level entry. You can trim the shower base lip as required using any tools you would for medium density timber i.e. angle grinder, handsaw etc… (Please note the shower base is manufactured from a water repellent material so trimming will not affect the structural integrity of the product or the water repellent properties)

Installing the shower base

1. Ensure that the floor is clean, dry and dust free and apply FORTIS AD512 glue (or a polyurethane construction adhesive) in a continuous bead at a maximum of 50mm centres under the entire area of the base.
   1. When fixing to sheet flooring or concrete start and finish glue bead within 20mm of the edge of the base and waste void
   2. When fixing shower base directly to joists smear a thick bead of FORTIS AD512 polyurethane adhesive over all joists and trimmers.
2. Install the shower base by placing it over the glue and bedding (do-not slide the base into position) secure base with weight or ceiling prop until glue is cured.
3. Caulk between wall sheet, floor and shower base with Pasco glue (or a PU construction adhesive).
4. To further water seal joins where the base meets the walls and floor, run a bead of Pasco glue (or a polyurethane construction adhesive) where you’re waterproof tape is to be used. To stick waterproof tape to shower base smear polyurethane construction adhesive to achieve a thin even cover along shower base edge and bond waterproof tape to shower base and adjoining wall or floor.
5. As you waterproof walls and floor with a waterproof membrane, continue this over the waterproof tape. Do not continue membrane onto base it will not bond.
6. At this stage you can set out the tiles, have them cut ready to be laid and set aside for easy access, check the height of your Channel Grate suits the intended finished tile height.
7. Thoroughly sand the shower base surface incl. face of the flange with 40grit sand paper. This is to help with adhesion.
8. Thoroughly clean shower base with methylated spirits or acetone. Ensure surface is free from of contaminants
9. Allow to dry.

Tiling the shower base

You can use the Universal Primer with any standard cement based tiling adhesive. Refer to attached Primer Instruction page.

Some local manufacturer have trailed and recommend the following;

• Davco Ultraprime + K10Plus and a Davco tiling adhesive (see manufacturer for instructions)
• Davco Lanko 531 + K10 Plus and a Davco tiling adhesive (see manufacturer for instructions)
• Ardex WPM 300 + Beaumont Tiles Two part Barrierflex &suitable tiling adhesive(see manufacturer for instructions)
• Crommelin Shower Waterproofing Membrane & manufacturer recommended adhesives.
• Fortis Two Part epoxy tile adhesives will bond to the shower base, it would be best to check with the manufacture and conduct a test patch before using.

Fitting the waste types

Channel Grate

• Fit the Channel Grate into the recess in the base to confirm height of Grate against tiles, you can pack out under the channel with a water proof material to increase the height or a forming polyurethane glue (Fortis AD512), to hold the channel grate in place, use small amounts of a polyurethane construction adhesive (the same size as a 20cent piece) a minimum of 10cm apart to hold the channel grate in place. Please note do not seal the channel grate in place as any water absorbed into the grout, needs to drain down the sides and underneath the channel grate, sealing the grate will cause the water to dam and the tiles will start coming off or the water will back up into the rest of the bathroom.
• When grouting the gap between the channel grate and tiles, ensure the grout is thick and does not contain excess water.
• Wipe all grout from grate before it dries.

 

Twist Top Puddle Flange

• Install the twist top into the puddle flange, twist to the height of the tiles and use the square plastic insert when tiling, replace this with your grate when finished (this is to keep the grate clean and scratch free)
• The puddle flange is smooth plastic. It requires the surface sanded or roughed up. Sand and paint a primer or plumbers glue on the surface of the puddle flange and sprinkled with dry clean sand ready for tiling adhesive application.
• When grouting the gap between the grate and tiles, ensure the grout is thick and does not contain excess water, grout that contains excess water will crack and fall through any gaps.
• Wipe all grout from grate before it dries.
• Please note: Do not fill the puddle flange with tiling adhesive or grout as any water absorbed into the grout lines or that runs under the tiles, needs to drain down the puddle flange, sealing the flange will cause the water to dam and the tiles will start coming off or the water will back up into the rest of the bathroom.

 

Fitting the Tile In Grate

• Sit the Tile In Grate into the flange in the base confirm height of Grate against tiles, you can pack out under the grate with a water proof material to increase the height or use a forming polyurethane glue (Fortis AD512), to hold the grate in place, use small amounts of a polyurethane construction adhesive (the same size as a 10cent piece) in each corner to hold the grate in place. Please note do not seal the grate in place as any water absorbed into the grout, needs to drain down the sides and underneath the grate, sealing the grate will cause the water to dam and the tiles will start coming off or the water will back up into the rest of the bathroom.
• When grouting the gap between the grate and tiles, ensure the grout is thick and does not contain excess water.
• Wipe all grout from grate before it dries.

 

The shape of the base

The Universal Shower Base is a moulded product that sometimes presents with a slight bow. This will be easily straightened with weight. To confirm this stand two people, one on each end of the base. If the base flattens out it is transient. Once the base is glued to the substrate and the glue is cured it will remain in place.

Adhesives

Do not use silicon it does not adhere/bond to the shower base. You can use any of the following polyurethane construction adhesives with the shower base;

• Fortis Polyurethane AD512 Glue Sausage (slightly foaming takes up to 4mm of unevenness in substrate)
• Sikaflex 291 (can also be used for caulking joins)
• Pasco Hyperflex PU25 (can also be used for caulking joins)
• Selley’s Liquid Nail Direct Stick or Selleys Liquid Nails High Strength (can also be used for caulking joins)
• Bostik Seal ‘n’ Flex
• Most good quality high strength solvent based polyurethane construction adhesives will work.

 

Using the Fortis two part epoxy primer to tile

The primer will bond perfectly to the base serving as a superior waterproofing membrane!

This two part epoxy primer is specifically designed to bond with the commonly used modified cement powdered tiling adhesive that is mixed with water. It is made by most manufacturers. Do not use a pre-mix.

It is not to be used in conjunction with epoxy tile adhesive. EPOXY ADHESIVE NEEDS NO PRIMER. Tip: If you use an epoxy tiling adhesive also use an epoxy grout.

At this stage you will have set out the tiles, have them cut ready to be laid and set aside for easy access.

1. Thoroughly sand the shower base surface incl. face of the flange with 40grit sand paper. This improves the surface for adhesion. Use a dust mask.
2. Clean shower base of all dust with Fortis cleaning solution using cleaning cloth provided. Allow to dry.
3. Mix the Fortis Primer – It is advisable to mix the primer in smaller quantities i.e. thoroughly mix 100ml of part A with 25ml of part B in a disposable container.
4. Using the paint brush supplied apply to the clean shower base.
5. Trowel adhesive onto wet/tacky primer and lay tiles. (IF THE PRIMER HAS DRIED DO NOT APPLY TILE ADHESIVE, the tile adhesive will only bond while the primer is wet or tacky, reapply a new coat of the primer then tile)

 

Approximate application time / working time for Primer:

• At 35°C, fluid up to 25 minutes / will remain tacky up to 2 hours
• At 25°C, fluid up to 40 minutes / will remain tacky up to 2½ hours
• At 15°C, fluid up to 1½ hours / will remain tacky up to 3 hours

Application time refers to the time the primer will be liquid enough to paint onto the base. After this time it will be thick and will not be easily applied.
Working time refers to the time available to apply tile adhesive. It starts once the primer is mixed and finishes when the primer will start to ‘glaze over’ or ‘develop a skin’. At this point there is a risk of delamination; that means the tile adhesive will no longer bond to the primer. If this happens you can apply primer again. Do not wet with methylated spirits.

1. Tip 1: Apply the primer in sections as you tile.
2. Tip 2: If you need more time, mix smaller amounts of the primer at a time in a disposable container (100ml of Part A and 25ml of Part B).
3. Tip 3: Use the Primer past the joins of the base and floor as it will serve to further seal joins.
4. Tip 4: Use cleaning solution provided to remove any Primer from the tiles and your tools whilst the primer is still wet or tacky. (Once primer cures, remove with paint stripper.)
5. Tip 5: The primer ‘part B’ is corrosive. Wear the gloves provided when handling. If you get it on your skin use the cleaning fluid to remove it then gently wash with soapy water. If you get it in your eye flush with water and seek medical advice immediately.

For information on how to tile please contact a professional tiller. For information on how to connect your plumbing to the waste please contact a professional plumber. We are happy to speak to any trades people with questions on the base.

The Universal Shower Base is proudly Australian Made and Owned; all of our products are designed and manufactured right here in Dandenong, Victoria, Australia.

Installation Guide – Drawings

Installation Options

The installation process will vary depending upon the intended finish and or existing conditions, the shower base may be installed;

 

 

 

Preparing the Area for Installation

1. Notch the bottom wall plate(s) at least 10mm deep.
2. Notch out wall studs to suit trimmer or for exact height of shower base lip.
3. If installing the shower base on concrete, check the width of the drain void does not exceed 280mm under the base. [See ]
4. If installing directly onto floor joists, install trimmers under the shower base at no more than280mm centres. [See ]
5. For shower bases installed over floor joists (timber or steel), check that no bearers, joists or trimmers clash with the waste outlet/flange.
6. In an existing building, to achieve a level entry shower the floor joists may need to be rebated to create alignment between the face of the shower base and the height of substrate and underlay being used [See2].

Installing the shower base

Ensure the shower base substrate is clean, dry and dust free.

1. If fixing to sheet flooring, timber floor or cement slab, start and finish within 20mm of the edge of the base and waste void.
   
2. If fixing directly to joists squeeze a thick bead of polyurethane adhesive over all joists and trimmers to the extent of the shower base area.
   
3. Install the shower base by placing it over the glue and bedding (do not slide the base into position).
4. The wall studs that have been checked out to accommodate the raised edges of the base will have room for a trimmer to be inserted above the raised edge and secured to the wall studs with galvanised screws. To help take out any flex in the base stand on the base and fix the trimmer to the wall studs before the construction adhesive has cured. This will hold the base firmly in place.
5. If lining the walls of the Universal Shower Base area use villa board or similar. The board is to extend to within 10mm of the face of the base. The gap between the villa board and the base is to be caulked.
6. Note: The wall lining board is not to touch the base. The gap between the base and the board is to be caulked. If the board and the base touch the board will act as a wick drawing the water up into the board. This will eventually adversely affect the water resistant villa board.
7. The Australian Standards exist as a minimum not as a level to which you might aspire. They are there to protect us from unacceptable standards. It is usual to exceed Australian Standards in all building matters.
8. Bases with rear wastes have a 10mm rebate inside the outer raised edge onto which the villa board lining the shower wall will finish. Confirm it is positioned correctly.