Did the bottom of your shower crack? Looking for a solution? Chances are you’ve researched what you need to fix it and found two different terms for the shower floor. You most likely saw information related to shower bases and shower pans or you found information about needing one or the other exclusively.
Shower bases and shower pans seem similar but are still different. They also seem interchangeable, yet they actually work together. The two features are pieces of your shower that you’ll need to understand in order to accurately assess or fix your issue.
What is a Shower Base?
A shower base is exactly what it sounds like—the floor of your shower. However, to go deeper, it’s the substructure that sits under the shower pan. This feature is necessary for a solid foundation.
What is a Shower Pan?
Shower pans are what you step directly onto when you enter the shower. They are the top layer of the shower base and give the shower floor a nice aesthetic. If you see a crack in the bottom of your shower, this is what you’ll likely have to fix.
Differences Between a Shower Base and a Shower Pan
A shower base and a shower pan work together to create a shower floor but are different with respect to where they are located in your shower. Other differences include their uses, materials and installation process.
Uses
These two shower floor elements serve individual purposes that tie into their combined use. Shower bases create the hard structure needed to support the shower pan and the person showering. They also are used to help channel water freely into the drain.
Your shower pan has a similar function of funneling water into the drain but is one of the shower features that are meant to be seen. They make the shower floor aesthetically pleasing compared to just seeing the dull shower base.
Materials
Since a shower base is there to provide support, it’s typically made out of cement mortar. This allows the substructure to be sturdy but also malleable when first installed. It has to be initially formable so the base can be slightly sloped to lead water down the drain.
The shower pan is made out of materials that are not only visually appealing but also complementary structures to the substructure. Options typically include acrylic, metal, stone, ceramic or fiberglass.
Installation
Installation for these two shower floor elements is typically done around the same time—with the shower base coming first. The shower base is created and formed to be slightly sloped. A PVC layer is then applied to that protect the base from any extra moisture that may come through the shower pan.
The shower pan is then installed on top of the shower base. It follows the sloped form of the base to help water flow down. Once installed, the pan forms the shower floor’s look and feel. When you’re working with a shower that uses tile walls or fiberglass panels, the outer walls are usually installed around the shower pan to create a fuller, more seamless look.
Want Your Shower Done Right? Hire a Plumbing Professional
Fixing a shower or other plumbing-related issue is time consuming and involves several steps. Additionally, things can go wrong and be hard to fix. Mike Wilson Plumbing will not only save you time but will also get the job done right.
With years of experience in the Chesterfield and Richmond, VA areas, our plumbing team will help you fix your shower, do a bathroom renovation or take care of any other plumbing problems you may have. Call us today!