We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – the shower tray is an essential part of the fixture, and it needs to be properly installed if it is going to work to its full potential.
The process does require you to put a little work into it, but it’s not as difficult as you might think.
As long as you take your time, read through the instructions carefully, and follow each of the listed steps you’ll be just fine.
We’re here to make things easier for you, which is why we have taken the time to compile this guide full of useful advice and information, as well as the steps towards successful installation.
What is a Shower Tray Riser Kit?
The shower tray riser kit is also known as an adjustable shower, and it consists of a set of legs and a panel that allow you to keep the tray elevated.
The reason for this is that it makes it much easier to access the waste – especially if you are placing the shower on a concrete floor where a hatch cannot be cut for the waste to go into.
This does mean that you will end up with a shower tray that will be taller, and therefore require you to step up when you go to get into it.
The additional space for the waste is exceptionally handy, however, and does help to keep things tidy; as well as minimalize the amount of work needed.
Also Read: How to Fit a Shower Screen
What Does a Shower Tray Riser Kit Do?
This is covered quite well in the previous section, as the shower tray riser kit essentially allows for easy waste access. It also means that you don’t need to cut a hole into the floor in order to install it, which is great for a number of homes and floor types.
Other than the floor being higher than a regular shower floor, there isn’t much else that makes it different. You can purchase these kits with trays that have varying depths, allowing you to find one that meets your needs, and they are really easy to find.
What Type of Shower Tray are You Installing?
A lot of the installation method comes from the type of shower tray you are installing. In this guide, we are looking at the adjustable variety. These are the easiest to install, and the most popular in homes as a result.
They are quite handy to have, and they do help to make life a lot easier; as long as you are able to get over the step. The other type is a standard flat, or profile, shower tray.
These need more work and materials to install, but they certainly tend to look a lot tidier, and they sit flat on the ground, so there is no need to worry about the step.
We have a great installation guide for these types of shower floor that you can flick through if this is the type you are planning on picking up.
The Tools You Will Need
First things first, you need your tools and materials before you can get started with the actual installation. To make things easy for you, here is a list of what you will need: Screwdriver, Spirit level, Shower tray, Shower tray waste, Silicone sealant.
Further Reading: Best Shower Tray Guides
How to Install a Height Adjustable Shower Tray
Now that you have all of your tools together you can work on the installation. Before we get started though, there are a few things to keep in mind.
The first is that while these instructions cover pretty much every adjustable shower tray, there are some cases where you will need to follow different instructions.
This is why you should always read the manufacturer’s guide before you get started. Additionally, it is often worth getting someone to help you out with these types of shower tray so that you can avoid dragging the legs across the floor (something which can damage them).
You should also remember that there is no shame in calling the experts if you end up getting stuck – there is nothing worse than an incorrectly installed shower tray because of the damage it can cause. Now that’s out of the way, here are the installation steps:
#1 The first thing you should do is place the tray in your desired location so that you can ensure it fits correctly and can be there without issue.
Once that is confirmed, you can fit the shower tray legs by screwing them into place. At this point, you can adjust the height according to the level that you require. Then, take a moment to check the shower tray waste fits and is lined up correctly.
#2 Establish the best route for your wastepipe and where it will be placed during and after the installation. Once you have done this, attach the waste to your tray and then connect it to the trap.
#3 Now, take the spirit level and ensure that the tray is completely flat and level. This is incredibly important because a shower tray that is not level can lead to a number of problems later on – including potential leaking and water damage to your flooring.
#4 With everything level and sturdy, you can attach the underside of the waste to the water outlet pipe. Ensure the seal is watertight to prevent any leaking once the shower is fully operational.
You can test this by taking a jug of water and slowly pouring it down the shower drain to test for gaps and leaks in the system.
#5 If your shower tray has side panels, this is the time to get them up and fixed in place so that it looks neat and tidy.
Following this, take the silicone and apply it to the edges of the shower tray. This not only creates a waterproof seal that prevents leaking, it also gives the tray a really nice finish.
FAQ's
Q: What does a shower tray riser kit do?
A: A shower tray riser kit is also known as an adjustable shower, and it consists of a set of legs and a panel that allow you to keep the tray elevated. This mean you will end up with a shower tray that will be taller, and therefore require you to step up when you go to get into it.
Q: How deep should a shower tray be?
A: How deep your shower tray is down to preference but the average width and depth of a shower tray is typically between 700mm and 1700mm.
To Conclude
We hope that this guide has been able to help you achieve complete success when installing your adjustable shower tray, so that you can get to enjoying your shower quickly.
With a detailed list of the tools you will need to get the job done, as well as an extensive list of steps so that you can get a clear image of what you need to do, we are sure this will be an absolute breeze for you. If I can do it with no previous experience, you certainly can too.
What did you think of our shower tray riser kit installation guide? Did it meet your expectations, or are there a few areas where you felt it fell short? We love hearing from you, so feel free to leave us a message in the comments below.
