Help with fitting fibreglass shower base!

[sanku]

Hi All, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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First time to post but have been using this site for the wealth of quality info for a while now.<o:p></o:p>
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I am currently renovating an old b&t cottage in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Perth</st1:place></st1:City> and have a question regarding the correct way to install a fiberglass shower screen base and glass panels in a bathroom.<o:p></o:p>
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The instuctions provided with the shower show the area to be tiled first (wall & floor), then the base and shower fitted. I believe this will leave a gap at the back of the base that, even if sealed will allow water to get in. <o:p></o:p>
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For me, the correct way would be to have the base hard up against the bare wall and have the tiler fix the tiles down to the top of the base. The amount of sealant would be minimal and the chance of water travelling down the back would be minimized. <o:p></o:p>
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The problem this poses is that it will affect the way the glass panels fix to the walls as the shower base will be smaller as it will be slighlty recessed under the tiles. I am hoping someone out there understands what I mean!?1?

Thanks in advance for any advice provided!<o:p></o:p>
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Sanku <o:p></o:p>
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[atregent]

Hi Sanku,

Check out the wet area construction technical manual from the James Hardie web site.

http://www.jameshardie.com.au/Applications/WetAreaConstruction/TechManual/

I'm not sure if it will help in your specific situation, but it's a good read none the less.

[sanku]

Thanks for the reply atregent. Anyone else out there have any advce? My tiler starts today, doing the floor first and then the walls. His recommendation is to tile the whole area and then fit the base...but of course he is goingto say this as this means no cutting! So has any one out there fitted one of these bases?? I am a little nervous about the whole scenario! Also, the base I have does not have a lip that could be recessed behind the tiles either..its totally flat on the upper surface area..

Sanku

[workgoose]

cutting tiles wouldn't be a problem for the tiler, rather the problem you have is that the showerbase does not have a lip at all. Can I ask why you bought it? Can you return and swap it? A base is supposed to have a lip that is checked into the studs or the wall, then you bring the Duralite or similar down over it and tile over, leaving a small gap which is filled with something like Sikaflex, and you will have a watertight finish. Not having a lip allround is going to bring you a lot of grief in the future. Or if you want to take it one step further why not tile the whole area floor to ceiling and not have a base at all? That would involve a lot of waterproofing and other preparation though.

[lnt9000]

Very much sounds like an all in one shower cubicle, which is not checked into the studs but stands alone, a pix would help.