Bathroom projects are popular for any remodeling enthusiast. Putting in a new shower requires a lot of parts, careful planning, and following proper instructions. Preparing to take out any damaged floor or parts during the installation process is essential. Whether you’re installing a brand-new shower stall or replacing an older unit, Mobile Home Outfitters is here to teach you how to install a shower stall in a mobile home and help you prepare for this exciting new remodel project.
Necessary Tools and Materials
Before touching anything, collecting everything you need from start to finish is good. Gathering everything together ensures you have the necessary tool or part on hand no matter what issues may arise. To install your new shower, you should have the following:
- Your new shower kit and shower pan with the included instructions from our website
- Cordless power drill
- A tape measure
- Blade hole saw
- A caulking gun and any additional tile caulk you may need
- Adhesive for non stud mounted units
- A carpenter level
- Flathead and Philips head screwdrivers
- Masking tape
- Framing square
- Pencil and paper for any additional notes or markings
Removing the Old Shower
Destruction is often one of the most fun parts of home renovation, but taking a sledgehammer to your old shower is not a great idea. Carefully cut around the caulking and remove your old stall or shower pan. Be extra careful around your drain connections, so you don't cause any unnecessary damage to your plumbing.
Repair as Necessary
Since your old shower is out, now is a great time to examine your flooring area. Check if the flooring or walls suffered any damage from your old shower. Since you’re installing a new shower, ensuring everything underneath it starts in peak condition is your best bet. It may also be beneficial to check for any leaks or corrosion issues with your pipes and make any necessary repairs.
Check the Instructions
Fortunately, most shower kits come with some form of installation instructions. If you don’t find these instructions in your shipment Mobile Home Outfitters provides these documents on our website that can be downloaded anytime. We went over some of the basics of what you need, but you should always check the instructions for anything your particular kit may require. You want to ensure your installation will keep your new shower stall under warranty and not put anything in your home at risk.
Make Sure Everything Fits
Before you begin putting everything together, check that all the essential connections fit with your home's current setup. The showerhead, water connections, and especially the drain are the most vital. If you find your drain doesn't line up with your new shower pan, you may require new subflooring and have to move the drain. If this happens, we advise contacting a professional plumber to line it up for you.
Putting in the Shower Pan
Your shower pan is the surface where your stall connects to the drain. Pans typically act as a funnel and guide water safely to your water system. With proper measurements, your new shower pan should ideally line up with the size of your shower, and the hole should be over your drain system.
Use your level to ensure the shower pan is straight to avoid standing water, and file it down if necessary. Use clips and screws to attach the pan to your subflooring.
Sealing and Caulking
Once your shower pan is level and held firmly in place, use your caulk gun to secure the edges, particularly around the screws and where the pan meets your subflooring. These areas are the most common causes of water leakage, and improperly sealed pans may damage your home or cause mildew buildup.
Readying Your Shower Surround Area
With the pan installed, your shower surround kit is ready to go. Like with your pan, make sure to go over the instructions of your kit to see how to install it. Many shower surrounds attach directly to studs, so make sure you prepare your walls before putting in the new shower wall.
Making Cuts for Fixtures
Because everybody's fixture positions are different, many plastic or fiberglass shower kits do not come with pre cut holes to line up with your faucets or showerhead. You need to measure very carefully to map out the areas to cut to ensure everything lines up correctly. Don't be afraid to double-check your work, as improper measurements could mess up your entire shower surround at this stage in the process.
Once your measurements are precise and lined up with your fixtures, your blade hole saw is the best tool for cutting through the fiberglass. A good tip is that the holes should be just a little too big rather than a little too small. You don't want to force your pipes through the holes, but you can always seal it if you have just a little wiggle room.
Installing Your Surround Set
Once you know everything fits properly, it's time to start installing. Follow the instructions to ensure you attach everything correctly to your walls. If your surrounding set is more than one piece, remember to use your caulking gun to seal any joints to reduce your chances of leakage or moisture buildup.
Installing Your Fixtures
Now that you installed your shower stall in your mobile home, you’re ready to reattach your fixtures. Thanks to your careful measurements, everything should fit in place and line up with your irrigation system. It's a good idea to carefully test that everything is in working order before finishing your assembly.
Final Caulking and Sealing
Once everything is in place and working correctly, take your caulk gun and carefully go over everything to create watertight seals. The most important places to check are where your shower pan meets your flooring, the cut holes for your water fixtures, the areas where your surrounding system meets your wall, and any gaps.
And with that, your new shower should be ready to go. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back and appreciate the fruits of your labor!
Whether you want to install a plastic or fiberglass shower stall in your mobile home, the experts and specialists from Mobile Home Outfitters have everything you need regarding mobile home shower units. To speak with a member of our friendly team, reach out to us today by calling us at 888-646-7782 or emailing us at customercare@mobilehomeoutfitters.com.
