Tiling on Universal Shower Bases

[Floyd*]

Hi Floyd - so, in the end, I got a re-grouting company (Save & Seal)to remove all the grout and re-do with epoxy. On one of the jobs, where one of the tiles had reasonably significant squishy movement, they injected an epoxy (?) glue underneath. It seems to have done the trick: I’ve had no further call backs to either job (touch wood!) so it seems as though epoxy grout could be the viable solution when using these shower bases.

I’m still unsure as to exactly what causes the movement. Most of the grout cracking seems to happen around the floor waste, so maybe there is a weakness at this point? We followed the install instructions to the letter and infact ended up fully supporting one of the bases, so there must just be a natural flex within the base. Screwing it down might help, (as it does when screwing Scyon Secura flooring down) as it ensures the polyurethane/Sikaflex adheres fully. Thinking on it - from memory, the installation instructions calls up putting weight on all four corners of the base, while the adhesive goes off. Maybe it’s best to ensure that the centre of the base is also fully weighted during the curing time.

I’m not sure if I’ll use these shower bases again. They’re a useful product when installing a walk in shower on top of existing posi-joists, where the joist cannot be cut down or altered. I guess the only option in this case, is to have a small hob or step up - unless anyone has another suggestion?

Good luck Floyd

Thanks heaps for your response. I will go the epoxy solution, but the client wants to make sure there will be no squishy movement, so I will remove a couple tiles to investigate.
I always remind the tiler to trowel his glue in the direction of the puddle flange but he says sometimes he has to put blobs of glue near the waste to achieve the height he needs. I think once to grout cracks and water gets under the tile its hard for the water to get to the puddle flange which causes this squishy effect.
I'm still puzzled about the movement as I also fully support and glue down per instructions. I have had this problem with the centre waste and linear channel bases. I am also wondering if its the glue the tiler uses??
I agree, they are very convenient but I might need to go back to screeding.
Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[Melbourne Builder]

Thanks heaps for your response. I will go the epoxy solution, but the client wants to make sure there will be no squishy movement, so I will remove a couple tiles to investigate.
I always remind the tiler to trowel his glue in the direction of the puddle flange but he says sometimes he has to put blobs of glue near the waste to achieve the height he needs. I think once to grout cracks and water gets under the tile its hard for the water to get to the puddle flange which causes this squishy effect.
I'm still puzzled about the movement as I also fully support and glue down per instructions. I have had this problem with the centre waste and linear channel bases. I am also wondering if its the glue the tiler uses??
I agree, they are very convenient but I might need to go back to screeding.
Thanks, much appreciated.

You could be right regarding the retention of water at the puddle flange - this seemed to be the case on one of my problem shower bases - there was water underneath a couple of days after use. I wonder if it's worth putting the glue injection under the moving tiles rather than having to remove them - it certainly seemed to stiffen things up on mine?

I suppose the upshot is that it could be caused by many different things, but I'm not sure if the headaches are worth the convenience!

 

[Matthew7]

Hi Floyd - so, in the end, I got a re-grouting company (Save & Seal)to remove all the grout and re-do with epoxy. On one of the jobs, where one of the tiles had reasonably significant squishy movement, they injected an epoxy (?) glue underneath. It seems to have done the trick: I’ve had no further call backs to either job (touch wood!) so it seems as though epoxy grout could be the viable solution when using these shower bases.

I’m still unsure as to exactly what causes the movement. Most of the grout cracking seems to happen around the floor waste, so maybe there is a weakness at this point? We followed the install instructions to the letter and infact ended up fully supporting one of the bases, so there must just be a natural flex within the base. Screwing it down might help, (as it does when screwing Scyon Secura flooring down) as it ensures the polyurethane/Sikaflex adheres fully. Thinking on it - from memory, the installation instructions calls up putting weight on all four corners of the base, while the adhesive goes off. Maybe it’s best to ensure that the centre of the base is also fully weighted during the curing time.

I’m not sure if I’ll use these shower bases again. They’re a useful product when installing a walk in shower on top of existing posi-joists, where the joist cannot be cut down or altered. I guess the only option in this case, is to have a small hob or step up - unless anyone has another suggestion?

Good luck Floyd

you should try Multipanel pre formed shower bases. I get mine through Bowens and are really easy to work with. They are 25mm so you don’t need to touch the joists. They are glued and screwed down to stop movement. And the tile adhesive manufacturers have all done testing and provided specs so there is good adhesion. Plus they do custom sizing and are approx $100 cheaper!

 

[Runang89]

you should try Multipanel pre formed shower bases. I get mine through Bowens and are really easy to work with. They are 25mm so you don’t need to touch the joists. They are glued and screwed down to stop movement. And the tile adhesive manufacturers have all done testing and provided specs so there is good adhesion. Plus they do custom sizing and are approx $100 cheaper!

How are you finding multipanel bases? I’m looking to set one down into an existing slab to then tile over. I’m assuming there’s no movement in these panels?