Fitting Heavy Shower Tray in recess. Any Ideas ??

[easyt]

Not really tiling I know but someone may have a good idea or two.

I will be fitting a 1700 by 800 shower tray in a recess. It weighs (I think) about 55kg. I will need to bed on mortar on raised plinth. Obviously I shall have to enlist an extra pair of hands

. Problem is how do I position it on a bed of mortar, in a recess and level it?? Access from front only.

I have a few ideas but I would like advice from anyone who as tackled the problem before.

EasyT

 

[Colour Republic]

everybody has a different way it seems, there is a thread on here somewhere detailing a few different methods see if it comes up in a search

 

[Scott]

Where is the waste hole? Ive done one before (1600 x 900) that was so heavy it was ridiculous.

If its a smooth finish i use glass suction pads to lower it in place with an extra pair of hands on the waste hole if its reasonably centred

There was mention few months back about using ice cubes in the mck to slide it across, these then melt and the tray rops to its final position. There was tak of it weakening the mix but on that size four small wet patches shouldnt matter too much.

 

[mikethetile]

ice cubes

 

[mikethetile]

beat me to it scott:lol:

 

[easyt]

Where is the waste hole? Ive done one before (1600 x 900) that was so heavy it was ridiculous.

If its a smooth finish i use glass suction pads to lower it in place with an extra pair of hands on the waste hole if its reasonably centred

There was mention few months back about using ice cubes in the mck to slide it across, these then melt and the tray rops to its final position. There was tak of it weakening the mix but on that size four small wet patches shouldnt matter too much.

I read the one about using ice cubes. The thought of a few ice cubes weakening the mix seemed ridiculous.

I am thinking of making sure the base is perfectly level. Celcon blocks on mortar bed (to allow for some ducts I need for an oil feed pipe, fire control line, and also condensate pipe and waste from shower. Top off with 20mm green ply. An exact 5mm of mortar bed (using some guide timbers).

At present I am thinking of lifting (with a friend) the tray onto a temporary platform and sliding into place. I am thinking of clearing a little mortar to allow two 10mm sq timber strops to be placed on the temporary base and the shower base and sliding on with the aid of two suction pads. Two of us take the weight. OH pulls out the two small timbers and we lower.

I can't see the two small linear voids being a problem.

Any thoughts??

And Yea. They are ridiculously heavy.

Easy T

 

[Scott]

I build mine on timber and top with min 15mm ply. Prime the board all round and mortar on top. Cut the ply 10mm short of the front so you can get a tile under the front if needed to cover the mortar.

You could trowel out your muck with a 10mm notch trowel that would give you an exact level. Id add a bit of sbr into the mix as well

 

[easyt]

Sounds a good idea to use the notched trowel Scottley.

PS. Where do you click to say thankful for a useful post ??

Id it the icon for' Add to users reputation?

 

[Scott]

Bottom right of the post it the'thanks' button

 

[easyt]

Where is the waste hole? Ive done one before (1600 x 900) that was so heavy it was ridiculous.

If its a smooth finish i use glass suction pads to lower it in place with an extra pair of hands on the waste hole if its reasonably centred

There was mention few months back about using ice cubes in the mck to slide it across, these then melt and the tray rops to its final position. There was tak of it weakening the mix but on that size four small wet patches shouldnt matter too much.

Thanks again Scottley. I have just received a pair of of glass lifters from transtools. Delivery was a little slow. Ordered Sat. Dispatched Tues. Arrived 7am today. I am impressed with them though. Solid feel and real grip,
Silverline Suction Glass Lifter Pad Triple - 100kg - Transtools