HOW TO INSTALL A SHOWER TRAY - Plumbing Tips

A quick look at the installation of a shower tray and the associated waste. We show you how to check floor level, shower level, cut holes for the trap and waste, how to level and glue the shower down. Not a really in depth video but enough for you guys to get a good idea about how to do it. Any questions, just comment below!
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[@plumberparts]

*Links to the tools I USE EVERYDAY in the description above!* Still uploading helpful video today! Plus Follow my Vlog, TimesWithJames kzbin.info

[@TwistedTiara]

I'm in a caravan and want rid of the tray and door to make it a walk in wet room. I have the ceramic tiles so where do I go from here? You wanna come over and do it for me? Lol. Fab vids.

[@JaferSabir]

'Sometimes it's just the only way', very well summed up at the end there and great video, thank you!

[@Mortalkombat444]

Thanks James, after watching this many times it gave me the confidence to do mine. I’m not a professional plumber by trader but feel more than a have a go one. Please with my efforts thanks for showing a video like this

[@wrenlfc]

finally got a placement to do my nvq level 2 it's going to cost me 1000 but it be worth it in the end! all big firms require the qualification and i won't be limited like i am at the moment with the basic tech cert level 2. I can't wait to get qualified and become a plumber properly. i love your videos they will help me achieve my on site qualifications.

[@Fickle-Gamer]

Great video. Just one thing 90% of shower trays bought in the UK require a sand and cement base. The CT1 you use can flex if the middle of the tray is not flat on the floor (not your fault if it's not flat, just the way the tray is made) and the tray could crack. People read the instructions for your type of tray before you install it. If the tray cracks and is not installed as per the instructions you will not be covered under the guarantee.

[@jamieavis1591]

I was literally just thinking the same. Ive never seen a tray fitted without a sand and cement mix and never ever with just glue?

[@fef777777]

@@jamieavis1591 ye no a lot of trays get layed with just silicone u just dont see it lol

[@johnridley1038]

I thought that as well, it only needs the floor to be 1mm out over that lenth of tray and it would be a bugger to tile, a sand and cement base would have easily solved that for less than £3.00 worth of materials. Another little tip.. I would have taken the plastic film off around the edge before the lay, so that it can be sealed, that film is a pest to get out between the wall and the tray after its down. other than that, a helpful video for a novice.

[@nigelchapman7097]

Had to reinstall a tray this week as it was moving and the seal between tray and tile had split. Took the tray out telling the customer it was a problem with the floor only to find it was fitted on silicone.

[@deano7077]

Great video and always very easy to follow,would love to see how you go about fitting a tray onto a solid floor

[@andrewlee6610]

Good video pal. Reckon your better off cementing the tray down though.

[@taighmikey180]

Extremely helpful video again mate!! Bravo 👏🏼

[@plumberparts]

Cheers man!

[@koffibanan3099]

Thanks for taking us along, always very enjoyable and interesting!

[@plumberparts]

No worries!

[@fionagregory7936]

My son likes your videos after watching This Woodwork, Matthias Wandel and Espares.

[@Danny.A665]

Is there a second part to this vid showing sealing / finishing etc ?

[@plumberparts]

By the way guys, the plasterboard is pre-treated waterproof Knauf.....that doesn't mean to say we are't going to be backing it to proof further and seal later in a video. I hope you enjoy!

[@Goodwithwood69]

Waterproof?

[@LewisLittle]

bro, i love your channel, i'm a youtuber and plumber myself, id love to be able to do both one day if i have my own business, great channel man!

[@plumberparts]

Cheers dude!

[@stewart9476]

Just a tip, if you need larger hole, use one of the diamond core drills you've got, tgey go through wood to.

[@raldo7677]

Could you show us some first fixing measurements of appliances how high and where they need to be placed. and great videos by the way

[@najhussain9752]

Hi mate. Loving the plumbing tips and tricks. Appreciate the time your taking out in aiding the trade. Can you please advise on which bath glue you use to seal the trap joints. Thanks

[@kathyrowe415]

really enjoyed his video... we have a clear vision know... thank you

[@chrischurchill1054]

Great video, but regarding the holes in the joists, don't building regs say they have to be 1/4 joist size drilled at the center line? Understandably, as you mentioned, have given a fall, but how did you get around the building regs specs for the center line? Also, how did the chippies reinforce the notch for the waste trap? (BR specs say this has to be 1/8th joist depth)

[@plumberparts]

I guess sometimes you have to balance what building regs say (and why certain figures are....to put it honestly....dreamt up!) and the reality of the situation. If BR's where conformed to in their absolute strictness... nothing would ever get built! Saying that, I always get BCntrl round and explain why I've done certain things and they're always happy with it. Reminds me of my OFTEC audit when they said 99% of tanks where non-compliant and to ignore the regs on them!

[@duncansluman8606]

I thought the same. 1/8th of joist was max you can remove? That’s not a 12” joist??

[@sarge9733]

@@plumberparts This is what worries me the most. I've got to run a 40mm pipe through 4 joists. Although it's within the tolerance of hole size, I'll need to maintain a fall towards the stack. I told the customer it will be fine, but I'm crapping myself a bit now after already finding that very same reference diagram you flashed up mid-video. I feel I want to keep them all centered (and will have to piece together with couplings as you did), but really need that fall, and don't want to create bounce to the floor I need to tile! That's why I came on here, then I saw you do exactly what I was worried about doing... But I'm not sure if it's made me feel better about it or not! 😬

[@eugeneeugene8252]

That waste pipe should have been dropped just under the joists and run along.After all boarded would be a little box - so no compromising regs and good enough of a look for a utility room.

[@Overworkt]

@@eugeneeugene8252 I would never do this, it looks horrendous. There's a reason we build houses with more than one joist 😅

[@marcdinning2249]

On silicone 😳 timbers move over the seasons that tray will crack. Should be on cement bed like the other comment says. Glad your not fitting my tray 😜

[@dermotbrennan5738]

Silicone is flexible it will move. Plus if it moves with tile adhesive it will also crack. Odds is the difference

[@Danny.A665]

James, did you ever post part 2 to this video ?

[@websurfer1585]

I thought regs dictate that all joist hole drilling has to be in the dead centre of the joist, with longer waste runs that won't be the case?

[@Guide504]

WR plaster board? No tanking ? No taped seams and fixing points? No flexible bonded tray seal under tiles?

[@simony2801]

That’s what I thought, isn’t plasterboard a no no nowadays and you have to use backer board for regs.

[@AliceTheContentCoach]

Hi thanks for this. Quick question. I see you havent put anything under the tray. Asking because I want to take a bath out and put a shower tray in same place. Underneath the bath its on boards like yours, so do i need to seal that floor with anything? Also can I use same hole and pipes that bath used for shower? So do I just buy the tray, that glue, shower seal ring and trap? We are looking to do it ourselves thas why Im asking?

[@chazbarnett3231]

mate I am literally in bed with a cup of tea...psychic!

[@plumberparts]

Ha!

[@joekicker9188]

What would u cover/protect the shower tray from the plaster and tilers thanks love the videos

[@logicallogic9960]

I don't get the drop measurement? Is the first joist down 5mm then the second is down 10 mm then the 3rd joist down 15mm or is it just simply each joist is dropped down 5 mm with respect to the first?

[@combok660]

Missed you threading the pipe through the joists

[@MrPovey75]

Just been trying to get hold of ct1 from all my supporters. They've all heard of it but don't stock it yet not even grahams .Just ordered a few tubs from amazon .

[@hopdjandy]

Ct1 if fine if your floor is compleatley level each way otherwise i use fast set tile adhisive or normal set but make sure its a flexible adhisive

[@neilbrice449]

Good vid James just wanted to know how you worked out were to drill hole through rafters for waste pipe thanks

[@plumberparts]

Hi Neil, it had to be there!

[@dellboyryan]

Hold tight no classi seal Great video all the same

[@ArcanePath360]

Not heard of CT1 before. I generally use door and frame sealant on everything

[@plumberparts]

Mate, check it out....its ledge!

[@ArcanePath360]

Damn that's expensive stuff. They also don't stock it in Toolstation or Screwfix so I prob won't get it unless I really need something to hold my house up.

[@seanjay886]

ArcanePath360 it's amazing stuff. Well worth the money. I've sealed gutters with it while water is pouring out. Never had a leak with it and been using it years

[@ArcanePath360]

That does sound pretty amazing

[@ratchriat1716]

great video james realy enjoyed.

[@plumberparts]

Cheers mate!

[@MrBclarkwhittle]

Thanks for the great video. Where do i buy the red trap tightener that you used(UK)

[@zedman442]

What kind of pipe is th grey pipe? Looks like a crimp type I've seen around in commercial buildings?

[@plumberparts]

Buteline mate....doing a vid on it in a week I think!

[@MrJeeper117]

whoop whoop plumbers crack for the win make us plumbers proud!!!

[@glenwoodjc]

Can i drop a sink wast into a shower wast pipe runing in the same direction.

[@anthonysalisbury6945]

what waste do you normally use on shower tray installs....great video

[@plumberparts]

The one featured in the video....they're really common!

[@stevenb007]

Hi James thanks for the great videos. Just one question if you don't mind for my DIY project. Is it ok to have the waste pipe going through so close to the top of the joists rather than in the middle? Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@plumberparts]

Makes no difference but always check with building control!

[@stepbackandthink]

@@plumberparts It makes a huge difference. You shouldn’t give advice like that if you don’t actually know.

[@mountainleopard5370]

@@stepbackandthinkmakes no difference

[@stepbackandthink]

@@mountainleopard5370 See above about posting when you know nothing.

[@mountainleopard5370]

@@stepbackandthink see my above comment

[@timwyld573]

Top video as always

[@raychambers3646]

Is there levelling adjustment when using ct1 as opposed to cement base ?

[@samjohnson5649]

I wouldn’t of thought so

[@noelleonsaoirse]

What do you do if the floor is way off level and walls are not square?

[@K-carbon]

noelleonsaoirse set it down in mortor or bonding coat and you get it spot on level.I allways do this

[@atommachine]

Ideally square the wall or pack out the wall with feathers.

[@thomasDSoundDesign]

What do you do if the floor is not level?

[@smartiemnx]

if you were installing wetwall, would you fit this first? or do the wetwall and then the tray?

[@phil3332]

wet wall first

[@bomtombadilo]

As a new plumber in the uk, can honestly say, dude your vids have been invaluable. Dude, do a skill-share-vid if you havent already. Your stuff is is on point and you've got the presentation skills 100%. I cant thank you enough for taking the time to making these sort of vids, Thank you, truly, thank you.

[@kylevirginmedia7692]

Nice! you using a 1200w Titan Wet/Dry/Blow vac - good little machines them!

[@plumberparts]

Yeah, it was sitting around on site....

[@LycariGaming]

So as you dont need to tank this?

[@toheedmohammed6622]

Could you record a video when you install the Unvented cylinder.

[@plumberparts]

We will do!

[@KdeB]

thanks for this video, really great. Is that moisture plasterbord? I am reading that a lot of plumbers favour "elements board" over plasterboard? Or does it matter? Would you lay OSB over the floor joists or ply?

[@dsslimone]

Hi, I like your channel subscribed to get more content.I'm looking to install a 1600 x 800 shower tray. Do you recommend any , or are they any I should stay well clear of.

[@stoocheesey8392]

really hoping the rest of these bathroom fit videos are up before 12th june haha...first attempt at a refit/rejig aaaaggghhhhh.

[@plumberparts]

Ha! I'll try!

[@eddedward2766]

Thanks for that.

[@robertnderitu641]

I'm so interested I live in Kenya and I'm a plumber here we use ppr pipes

[@PawelGlowienka]

very posh camera you got, but please tell me what about water trap,. smell etc. Tell me please where to put water trap?

[@ciarian3146]

very Good equip dB 2

[@BB-nv6dw]

Fantastic 👍

[@allsystemsdownagain9553]

Good job you beat the electricians on that job. They would have left wiring everywhere not to mention butchering that joist!!!

[@gavinmerrigan9833]

Why no classi seal up stand around the shower? Or what's your preferred method of sealing to the tile.

[@plumberparts]

This'll get hardi backered over, then tiled/mermaid boarded....should never leak!

[@atommachine]

You have to prep the waste to fit perfectly if you can not access it so pre test and enough movement to take up tray bedding thickness.

[@johnthorson3255]

can't go wrong with a "Golden Brown" reference

[@brianking3565]

No classi seal ??

[@richardoakleigh4782]

How not to install a tray: Building regs state that any shower tray on timber floor should be set onto 18mm ply which spans the entire length and width of the tray 99% of stone resin trays should be installed onto a weak sand and cement mix. You’re not trying to stick the tray you are trying to bed it evenly. If that tray ever cracks for any reason then it has been installed against MI and you are liable for the cost Plasterboard (green or not) is piss poor for a shower wall. Should be tile board and tanked. No use saying it might be tanked after as you should tank the alcove and then seal the tray in to it

[@thechrissyb]

I know you replied years back, but you are spot on. I'm not sure how this video is still up. I've had to strip out and redo properly loads of showers done in plasterboard MR or not.

[@linc401]

Bit of a coincidence the camera was off when it was time to somehow thread a 40mm waste pipe that doesn’t bend very much through those joists, “impossible task” I’m guessing there was lots of short pieces of pipe and lots of pipe unions making up that length 🤦‍♂️

[@plumberparts]

Indeed. I’ve not found another way to do it yet. Should invent smooth bendy waste pipe!

[@findelectrician4749]

The joy of having teenage son's. little (b word) trolling with my phone.

[@UberAlphaSirus]

I tell ya, that ct1 can hold like a pig, that ain't ever gonna leak. I have fixed cracked cisterns, basins and rusted out baths with that stuff until the new parts come in.

[@plumberparts]

Yeah boi!

[@andrewpage6365]

Nice big chunk out of the joist.

[@tonychearnley3236]

Easy when its a new build, much more difficult to repalce an existing one!

[@honda50cub]

thanks

[@plumberparts]

No worries!

[@mcboogerballs88]

have you ever used the flexi seal strip around the edges of the tray or a bath? 100 percent garuntee of no stains on the ceiling in time to come

[@plumberparts]

Wait for the sealing video!

[@noveltycurtains]

I always set my trays 100mm above the flooring on timber so I can access the trap if needed without removing floorboards or plasterboard.

[@K-carbon]

Looks awful up that height plus for and elderly person that just a no no

[@steveyboyXRP]

no clasi seal used lol

[@paulwatson2961]

Does silicon react with the rubber, I have found this in the past, made it go soggy.

[@17sillybilly]

Don't use solvent based silicon.

[@natbillany5034]

Nice tunes recognise it...who's it by

[@plumberparts]

Generic creative commons tunes....don't want to get slammed by YT for copyright!

[@stevenblack9644]

And ct1 to stick a tray down! Criminal voided warranty in an instant!

[@plumberparts]

Still visit that house to service the boiler. All totally fine!

[@gold555555]

Not being funny but pretty much everything you've done is wrong...green plasterboard 😳 silicolne to bed tray done 😳 straight on to chipboard 😳🤯

[@plumberparts]

Just round the corner Jill. Still totally fine! Which reminds me I’ve still got to service their boiler! Hope you have a lovely Crimbo.

[@SR1Records]

Why is the soil stack inside the house?

[@garryburns1144]

Is this guy related to criag from bo selecta? Lol

[@GordoThomson-me3lg]

That was a complete hash of work it will leak first time its used no clsssi seal around the tray.

[@plumberparts]

I live 2 doors down. To this days it has never leaked after daily use. So no. You’re wrong sweetie.

[@garryburns1144]

Is this guy related to criag from bo selecta lol

[@tori10tori10]

Easy when you have access from the lower room...

[@detjonny]

There is no p trap installed. Thay drainage is not gonna block the seuer gases

[@sarge9733]

The shower trap is just that. A trap. A separate 'cup' section within the fitting is always surrounded by water until it fills up with use and flows over into the outlet.... hence creating a trap.

[@ursamajor6546]

Detjon dara Maybe do a bit of research first before you embarrass yourself! No P trap lol!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Bliss3490]

You should never stick a shower tray down! 1. It goes against the manufacturers instructions 2. A stone resin tray is not designed to flex, as the joists flex/bounce this will cause the tray to crack over time. You should always lay the tray on a bed of mortar. It gives a solid level bed for the tray to sit on without sticking it in place. The mortar (if your installing correctly) should be on top of a screwed down peice of ply to help stiffen the floor further!

[@Xaltae]

Sounds like you've been watching SkillBuilder. Should watch this video by them also. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIrTiZ-lf9CghpI Same brand of tray from the looks of it. Same method of sticking it down. These are better trays, less likely to crack than the others.

[@Bliss3490]

@@Xaltae you caught me red handed, but with 14years of experience as a bathroom specialist Iv never come across a shower tray where the instruction don’t state that the tray should be installed on a bed of 5:1 sand and cement. As I’m writing this I’m in the process of installing a crosswater shower tray with the same additional braces under the tray and the instructions say it should be on a bed of sand and cement and then the guarantee stipulated that the tray must be installed in accordance with the fitting instructions! If you start sticking shower trays down with CT1 firstly you have little in the way of levelling the tray but also if anything goes wrong your on your own as far as warrantee is concerned

[@Xaltae]

@@Bliss3490 Im a little confused by this at the moment to be honest after watching those videos. In @skill builder videos they say it doesnt matter with that type of tray as its stronger so the silicone is good enough. Which makes sense as they can also be put on legs with a riser kit, only supported at a handfull of points. Im about to install a tray and decided to go the riser route, but was considering just building a level platform for it instead with wood and plywood, then silicone. But the instructions say to only bed on mortar or use the riser kit? Surely if it can go on the risers then it doesnt need a full mortar bed. Is it just arse covering by the manufacturers?

[@Bliss3490]

@@Xaltae the tray is not designed to bend/flex as the internal structure is strong but brittle if forced. It will develop fatigue fractures over time if subject to flexing conditions. In a modern house the timber joist will move as the loads they are subjected to change e.g furniture being moved or even people just walking around. If you lay the tray on a bed of cement the tray will give sufficient support but is also free to subtly move under neither the tray without forcing the tray to deform unnaturally (which is what will happen if the tray is glued) If you are using feet it’s a similar principal in that the feet are free and not fixed to the floor and the manufacturer will have designed the feet to give adequate support for the tray. I must admit that even I am able to pick holes in the argument but iv never had a tray fail on me that was fitted in accordance with the instructions, however I have come across trays (fitted by others) where you can feel the internal stone resin has failed and turned into a crumbly mess under the white enamel cover, presumably as there wasn’t enough cement under it to give adequate support or it has been glued to some description causing the tray to flex with the joists. With any product, if you go against the manufacturers installation guide, should it fail the manufacture will say it void of any warrantee. I have fitted many products that have failed over the years and if the installation was sound they will normally not just cover a replacement product but also the cost of the removal and installation! Can’t argue with that!

[@redking8585]

we didn't need to see that at 10:30 mate.

[@joncarr1565]

Where is the Water Proofing under and around the tray? Never ever put down tray without water proofing. if you are a good plumber, you would do this....

[@davidcunningham_silman1655]

why do you glue the tray down!!

[@sharesgames9546]

That background music volume is obliterating... Sound off and subtitles on.

[@1922johnboy]

Algorithms

[@scottcorcoran8225]

No classi seal???

[@nickcollins7568]

One does not always have the luxury of not always having the ceiling fitted yet. I have fitted trays where one has to fit the trap first to the pipe , then stick and lower tray to floor and thread in the top part of the shower trap!

[@plumberparts]

Mate, I'll get a job like this, they come round every few weeks!

[@sarge9733]

All of my tray installations are like that. Flexi waste connectors are a Godsend!

[@kindofalycan1332]

full on cowboy.

[@nayerkodsy8328]

Hi shower tray should be put down with weeak sand cement mix so it can be levelled, or flex rapid set adhesive

[@johnyw5781]

On a screed floor sand cement mix not on weyrock flooring it will dry out Sticks like shit turbo is the answer

[@chapman9230]

I prefer knauf aquapanel rather than plasterboard. On the walls 12 mm and also on the floor 6 mm. I am surprised you did not have to bed on sand and cement. What did the tray maker say to do? Also I use a tape upstand on the tray periphery.

[@martinranson4262]

At last someone who knows how to fit a shower tray

[@darren19521]

Hi mate can I lay and fix my shower tray to Hardie backer board? Or shall I but the Hardie backer boards up to the shower tray? Cheers Great vids mate helped me loads

[@Greebstreebling]

Beats me why anyone would run water pipes through joists like this. Cheap and cheerful, easy to do before the floorboards go down, but a nightmare to maintain afterwards. Either run pipes parallel to the joists or if that's just not possible, box it in above or below floor level. If your house is modern, best not to look - it will be a cheapo nightmare anyway sadly. Maximise profit by keeping costs low and let the customer pick up the bill when it goes wrong.

[@dekosobby]

gruise disgusting sewer connected shower tray 16 high water flash toilet.etc go green no liquid squat compost toilet

[@bravofoxtrotuniform7747]

Maximum whole diameter is a 1/4 of the joist depth and holes must be drilled to the center line of the joist that waste starts very high

[@Engineer9736]

The video gets to the point at 2:20

[@stevenblack9644]

Makita 36v angle drill extension bar

[@ddoubledutch4783]

CT1 directly onto floorboard. 😳

[@fionagregory7936]

Please do more singing. You should go on Britain's Got Talent. You would win it.