I recently installed the Elias shower from Costco in my new basement bathroom, which has concrete floors. The installation instructions clearly state that a mortar base is needed beneath the shower base. However, the plumber we hired didn't use any mortar, claiming he's never needed it in over 20 years of experience. Now, I'm concerned because the base makes a squeaking noise when we stand on it, likely due to it rubbing against a stud. Is it too loose? Should I remove the base and add mortar as per the instructions, or is it safe to leave it as is? What would you do in this situation?
2 Answers
It's super important to follow manufacturer specs when installing anything. Your plumber may have a lot of experience, but if things go wrong down the line, like a crack in the pan, he won’t be liable for repairs. Just think about the potential issues if your shower base doesn’t hold up—better to be safe!
If your shower base moves and makes noise, that’s definitely a sign it wasn’t installed correctly. Mortar provides support and helps prevent movement. Just because the plumber has experience doesn’t mean skipping mortar is the right choice for your specific base, especially if the instructions say otherwise. I’d suggest considering reinstallation with the mortar. It’ll be worth it in the long run to ensure everything stays sturdy and safe.
Yeah, you should definitely be cautious. Sounds like you might need to redo it!
So I shouldn’t be worried about it if the plumber thinks it's fine?