Pan Types
Shower bases can be prefabricated acrylic or composite units, tile-ready pans or site-built systems designed around a drain and waterproofing assembly. The pan is the foundation for the shower floor and needs correct support and drainage.
Shower Tile Installation and full Shower Remodeling have separate services.
Subfloor & Level
The subfloor should be solid and suitable for the selected pan. A base that rocks or flexes can stress drains and wall joints.
Level conditions matter, but the designed shower floor still needs to direct water to the drain. The product instructions determine the support method.
Drain Alignment
The drain opening must align with the pan and existing plumbing. Relocating a drain can be a substantial plumbing project compared with replacing a pan that uses the existing location.
Do not assume that drain relocation is part of ordinary installation.
Waterproofing Interface
Tile-ready systems connect the pan to wall waterproofing and curb details. Those transitions need to be treated as one wet-area system rather than unrelated surface materials.
No guarantee is made for waterproof performance when surrounding walls or membrane work are outside the agreed scope.
Prefab vs Tile-Ready
Prefab pans provide a finished surface, while tile-ready systems are designed to receive tile after waterproofing and preparation. Each has different height, drain and wall-interface requirements.
Product choice affects the later shower-wall and enclosure work.
Inspection/Permit Boundary
Plumbing, waterproofing and local approval requirements can apply depending on the project. Any required approvals or qualified plumbing work should be confirmed for the actual installation.
Qualified plumbing work should be confirmed where drains or supplies are modified.
FAQ
Can a shower pan use the existing drain?
Sometimes, if size and location match.
Does pan installation include shower tile?
Tile work has a separate service.
Is waterproofing included automatically?
The wet-area system must be explicitly defined.