Shower Installation Tips

• These shower installation tips help to avoid headaches in the future. Buena Vista Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  Hundreds of dollars can be saved by installing your own shower. However, it's a complicated project and can lead to common mistakes. Some simple errors can cause leaks that are expensive to repair. It's easier to address issues during installation rather than being surprised by something that goes wrong. With thorough preparation, you'll be ready to complete the project correctly while dramatically reducing problems down the road.

Shower Pan Liner

• Many people overlook the importance of a liner for the shower pan. It's not rare to see showers installed with cheap plastic or no lining at all. This can cause water leaks and cracks in the shower pan. To avoid these problems, place a liner made of vinyl or PVC sheeting on top of your shower pan.

Slope the Base of the Shower Pan

• Most people are aware that tiles on a shower floor should be sloped toward the drain but it's important to slope the shower pan as well. A flat base prevents draining and causes water to accumulate. According to BuildIQ.com, a flat base can also lead to mold. (See References 1)

Pipe Materials

• Extra care must be used if you're connecting pipes made from different materials. Metals can have reactions with each other. For example, galvanized steel pipes commonly found in older homes corrode much faster when they touch copper. Plumber Terry Love says to connect galvanized and copper pipes, you can use a dielectric union, a connecting device that keeps the two metals separated and prevents electric charges from transferring. Love warns that while a dielectric current is an option, it's not as ideal as uniform pipe material because it interferes with the pipes being electrically grounded and does not completely eliminate corrosion.

Pipe Size

• Most shower fixtures attach to 1/2-inch pipes. Avoid using pipes that are too small. While smaller pipes increase the water pressure and make the water move faster, the pressure coming from the shower head depends more on the amount of water going through it. Small pipes allow less water to go through the shower head, causing a weaker stream.

Drain Pipe

• Clogged pipes can be a source of frustration. Some people try to avoid the problem by installing larger drain pipes for their showers. While the idea seems logical, it can actually lead to the pipes being even more clogged. When water moves through smaller pipes, there is more pressure and it moves faster. This helps dislodge debris that could start a clog. While larger pipes have more room for water and debris to move through them, the lower pressure makes it harder to fix when the pipes do get clogged.

Turning On the Water

• While you have the water turned off during shower installation, air pockets can form in the unused pipes. When you turn the water back on, the water pushes these air pockets through your pipes at high pressure. If you don't clear the air out of your pipes, it will push through your faucets when they are used. Any stray debris in your pipes will hit your faucets at high pressure, which can cause damage or clogs. Fixthehome.com says you can bleed the pressurized air and debris out by flushing a toilet.