Tile Redi Shower Pan and Bench Kit Installation Guide
- June 6, 2024
- tile redi
Table of Contents
BASIN BENCH® INSTALLATION GUIDE
Tile Redi® Shower Pan and Bench Kit
To help guide you through the Base’N Bench® installation process, we have
provided the following REDI BENCH® Installation Guide which is intended to
provide an easy-to-follow step-by-step process for the installation of your
Tile Redi® REDI BENCH as well as your Tile Redi Shower pan. In connection with
your REDI BENCH and shower project, please comply with the recommendations and
standards established for such projects from time to time by the Tile Council
of North America, Inc., for the installation of a tiled shower.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR REDI BENCH
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The REDI BENCH® is designed to be installed exclusively with Tile Redi® shower pans (known as Redi Base®, Redi Trench®, WonderFall Trench®, Wonder Drain®, Bathtub Replacement™, Redi Free™, and Redi Your Way®) using the REDI FLASH® flashing system.
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The shower stall will need to be framed out as an assembly of the REDI BENCH and the Tile Redi shower base, with the framed out opening equal to the outside dimensions of the shower base plus an additional 12 inches on the side of the shower base where the REDI BENCH is to be installed to accommodate the depth of the REDI BENCH. Please see the REDI BENCH spec sheet.
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Install the REDI BENCH frame between the shower base footprint and the shower wall framing. Either wood or metal framing may be used as required by local building codes. The REDI BENCH framing (the framing height is based on personal preference, but it is usually a height of 18”) should be installed along the appropriate side of the shower base so that it will be butted up against the splash wall of the shower base. The bench framing will then need to be securely attached to the shower floor substrate, and the shower framing on the three sides of the REDI BENCH. The REDI BENCH framing will need to be level because the REDI BENCH is already designed with a slope so the seat of the bench will drain into the shower.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION FOR SHOWER PAN WITH PVC DRAIN
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Frame out shower stall area to shower pan dimensions.
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Sweep out any debris from the subfloor.
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Test fit shower pan drains housing into subfloor borehole. DO NOT NAIL OR SCREW ANYTHING INTO THE PAN. DO NOT SAND, CUT, OR MAKE ANY CHANGES/MODIFICATIONS TO THE SURFACE OF THE SHOWER PAN WHATSOEVER.
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Make sure the shower pan is aligned properly and fits snuggly against the shower frame studs on all sides.
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This step depends on whether there is access to the drain connection from below the subfloor:
a. If there is access from the subfloor below, then cut a section of drain pipe (PVC, as applicable to the type of drain) that is long enough to extend below the subfloor and easily make a connection to the wastewater pipe.
b. If there is no access from the subfloor below, then make sure the drainpipe stubbed up from the subfloor is adjusted to a height sufficient to fit properly into the shower pan drain connection. -
Turn the shower pan over and note that there are ribs under the shower pan floor. Calculate the amount of mortar needed by measuring the height from the rib bottoms that rest on the substrate to the underside of the pan floor at the deepest point in between the ribs. Once you have that value, calculate the thickness (depth) of your mortar base (Type N or S Mortar) using the formulas listed below based on the type of shower pan you purchased:
a. Redi Trench® / WonderFall Trench® / Redi Free® Trench Pans:
b. Subtract 1/2” from deepest rib measured in Step 6.
c. Redi Base® & Redi Free® (Non-Trench) / Wonder Drain® Pans: (Left or Right Drain ONLY) Subtract 1/4” from deepest rib measured in Step 6
d. Redi Base® & Redi Free® (Non-Trench) / Wonder Drain® Pans: (Center Drain ONLY) -
Subtract 1/8” from deepest rib measured in step 6, PROVIDED the mortar base should always be at least 1/2”.
Please note, do not place the mortar directly on a wood or Gyp-crete substrate. First, waterproof the wood substrate with a fluid applied waterproofing membrane or NO. 15 or No. 30 roofing paper so the wood does not absorb the water from the mortar. -
Spread your mortar base (should be a milkshake consistency), EVENLY ACROSS THE SUBFLOOR AT THE THICKNESS
CALCULATED FROM STEP 6a, 6b, or 6c, and offset 1“ from each outside edge of the pan with exception of the curbside. The mortar will protrude out from under the curb, run the finished side of the trowel along the curb face to backfill any excess mortar.
a. If there is access from the subfloor below and you followed step 5.a. above, then brush PVC adhesive on the outside of the cut drain pipe and quickly insert into drain connection, and then be sure the drainpipe extends far enough below the subfloor so it can be conveniently connected to the wastewater pipe following the installation.
b. If there is no access from the subfloor below and you followed step 5.b. above then brush PVC adhesive on the drainpipe stubbed up from the subfloor, then quickly insert the stubbed-up drainpipe properly into the shower pan drain. -
Place the pan in the mud base and firmly but gently shimmy the pan (applying pressure in drain location first) into the mud so that (i) the drain is fully supported by mud at the borehole in the substrate, and (ii) the ribs are completely filled with the mud alternately applying hand pressure to the right and left sides of the pan floor until the pan ribs come within 1/8” clearance of the subfloor. Level all pan sides and let the mortar dry overnight.
Important: DO NOT STEP INTO THE SHOWER PAN ONCE THE SHOWER PAN HAS BEEN SET AND LEVELED UNTIL THE MORTAR HAS CURED COMPLETELY
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Install the shower backer board and waterproofing in accordance with the standards established by the Tile Council of North America, Inc.
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Adjust the height of the drain as necessary to accommodate the flooring covering.
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Seal and waterproof joint between backer board and the shower pan splash walls using Redi Flash® or 100% silicone and then cover the joint with a fluid applied waterproofing membrane on the shower walls over the joint. Allow the mortar bed to dry in accordance with the instructions of the mortar bed manufacturer.
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Install the backer board on the face of the bench framing resting on the splash wall flashing (per manufacturer instructions) leaving 1 ½” of space between the top of the backer board and the top of the framing, ensure to fasten the backer board to the wood or metal framing. After installing the backer board to the framing wipe off excess silicone. Apply the REDI FLASH to the top of the backer board with the long side of the flashing pointing down toward the shower pan and fasten to the framing. Apply a bead of 100% silicone to the top of the flashing.
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Apply Loctite PL Premium construction adhesive to all surfaces of the bench frame which are in contact with the REDI BENCH when it is placed in the frame (i.e., the top of the frame and the vertical frame studs above the splash wall.) Then, install the REDI BENCH by securely placing the REDI BENCH on the framing so it is in contact with all the seat and leg support areas containing Loctite PL Premium construction adhesive. Press the REDI BENCH firmly onto the Loctite PL Premium construction adhesive on the bench frame and hold it securely in place for approximately 30 minutes. After placing the bench frame wipe clean any excess silicone.
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Install the REDI FLASH on the top of the 3 splash walls of the REDI BENCH in the same fashion that the REDI FLASH was installed above the shower base splash wall.
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Now you are ready to install the ½” backer board above the REDI BENCH splash walls and the splash walls of the shower base.
Ensure that you waterproof the backer board per the manufacturer’s instructions. Now that the REDI BENCH and the shower base are secured and sealed in all areas you are ready to tile the shower base using Tile Redi approved modified thin-sets is shown below (Appendix A).
APPENDIX A
Tile Redi approved modified thin-sets
MAPEI Ultraflex LHT White| MAPEI Large Format Floor and Wall White| CBP
Prolite White
MAPEI Ultraflex 1 White| MAPEI Porcelain Tile White| CBP Flexbond White
MAPEI Large Tile and Stone White| MAPEI Ultraflex LFT White|
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