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WetBase Level Shower Trays from Wetrooms Online are designed to create a flat tiled
waterproof area without any raised steps or platforms. These trays are ideally suited for
installation on a timber floor where the drain and waste can be accommodated under the
existing floorboards.
The installation begins by removing the existing floorboards in the area where the tray
is to be fitted. The coated shower tray is premachined with falls to the drain position.
It requires additional reinforcement which is achieved by installing timber battens and a
marine ply platform between the floor joists.
Conventional floorboards are approximately 18mm thick so once the tray has been
installed on top of the joists it will be approximately flush with the surrounding floor
area. If you are over-laying your floorboards prior to tiling with WetBase Thermal
Tilebacker Boards you will need to consider the thickness of these boards as part of
your installation design. The final level of the shower tray can be increased to sit flush
with your overlay by:

• Increasing the thickness of its fixing adhesive.
• Adding a layer of PCS Thermal Tilebacker Boards under the tray.
• Or, by fixing the tray on top of the existing floor boards.

For more detail see the following installation cross sections.
The following detailed instructions do not allow for the inclusion of any such overlay.
WetBase Thermal Tilebacker boards are available in various thicknesses from 6mm
up to 70mm. They provide an excellent surface to tile on and introduce a layer of
thermal insulation which is ideal preparation for the inclusion of electrical underfloor heating.
Please read these instructions before you begin work.

Clear the working area. The floor should be free from loose debris and grease.

Place the WetBase shower tray in the desired position.The tray can be easily trimmed with hand tools if necessary.
Mark out the floorboards in the area where the tray is to be positioned.

Remove the floor boards from the area where the tray is to be fixed.

Ensure that floor boards are removed back to the centerline of the nearest joist.

Identify the position of the drain and trap. The Drain and Trap will be held in place during assembly with a WetBase Drain Fitting Aid supported on a timber platform.

Construct the timber platform by fastening 50 x 25mm battens to the adjacent floor joists and adding a plywood base. This base needs to be located 86mm below the top surface of the floor joists so that the WetBase Drain Fitting Aid finished flush with the top of the floor joists.

Locate the WetBase Drain Fitting Aid on the newly constructed platform and ensure that the centre of the drain is in the correct position for the desired routing of the waste pipe and aligns correctly with the drain position on the shower tray. The Drain Fitting Aid can be easily trimmed if necessary to accommodate any adjustments that may be required.

Place the WetBase Drain and Trap assembly into the Drain Fitting Aid with the rubber seal in place. Connect up the waste water pipe and again check that the drain lines up with the drain position in the shower tray.

You now need to construct a level platform over the rest of the shower tray area to support the tray.

Construct the timber platform by fastening 50 x 25mm battens to the adjacent floor joists and adding a 18mm marine plywood base. With the battens securely fastened to the joists insert 18mm marine ply and fix to the battens. The top of the plywood boards should come flush with the top of the floor joists.

If excess floorboards had to be removed to get back to the nearest floor joist then the additional void will need to be backfilled with off cuts of the original floor boards or more marine ply.

The WetBase Shower Tray should now fit snugly onto the newly created platform. Check the alignment of the drain position through the shower tray and adjust as necessary.

Mix the WetBase Fixing Adhesive according to the instructions on the packaging. The WetBase Fixing Adhesive is a cement based, rapid set, flexible adhesive. Apply a bed of adhesive to the area where the shower tray is to be secured using a notched trowel. This adhesive bed should be a minimum of 3mm thick but could be thicker in local areas if there are any low spots.

Apply a bead of the Waterproof Joint Adhesive/Sealant to the edges of the Shower Tray. Locate the Shower Tray in position and firm down onto the adhesive bed.

Using the Securing Tool that is supplied with the Drain and Trap, screw the trap assembly into the drain body through the Shower Tray before the adhesive hardens. Check the edges of the tray with a spirit level to ensure they are all level. If the floorboards are to be overlaid with WetBase Thermal Tilebacker Boards this operation should be completed at this stage before you begin to waterproof the joints between the tray and the adjacent areas.

To waterproof the joints between the tray and the adjacent areas. Apply a bead of WetBase Waterproof Joint Sealant/Adhesive to the ‘floor to wall’ corner joints and up the ‘wall to wall’ corner joint. When the sealant has cured apply the WetBase Alkaline Resistant Jointing Tape to all joints and corners. All joints must be bridged with the tape. At corner positions where the base meets the walls it is recommended that the tape is cut 50mm to the centre allowing the tape to be folded producing a neat 90º bend.

Mix the WetBase Tanking Compound powder with the liquid in the WetBase Tanking Flexible Additive according to the instructions on the packaging. We would recommend that you only mix small quantities to start with until you become comfortable with handling this material.
Apply a coating of the mixed WetBase Tanking Compound over the taped joints using a plastering trowel or spatula ensuring good compaction into the corners and joints. The coating should be applied sparingly at approximately 0.5mm to 1mm thick and beyond the edges of the tape so that its at least 150mm wide.
Once all joints have been coated and smoothed down allow at least 4hrs to dry prior to applying a second layer of paste. Drying time may vary and is dependant entirely on temperature and air flow. When the first layer of paste is touch dry apply a thin second coating over the joints again between 0.5mm and 1mm thick. Smooth down when finished ensuring no unsightly lumps or paste build up in corners which could cause problems for tiling.

Wetrooms Online would recommend that any plasterboard on the walls of your proposed wet area is replaced with WetBase Thermal Tilebacker Boards to give a complete waterproof solution. If this is not possible then the mixed WetBase Tanking Compound can be used to coat the lower wall area to prevent moisture damage. A coating of 0.5 to 1.0mm thickness up to a height of 1.5m is recommended as a minimum amount of protection against rising moisture.

You can now complete the tiling of your new wet area. Plan the tiling of the tray area first. The Drain and Trap assembly comes complete with a Raising Frame that accommodates the thicker stone tiles. Fix tiles from the drain area to the edges of the tray by respecting the inbuilt falls in the tray working from the corners of the drain to the corners of the tray.

In wet bare foot areas tiles no smaller than 20mm mosaics should be used. Ensure that there is a 4mm gap between the edge of the drain frame and the first tiles. Fix tiles to the tray using a solid bed technique.

Use flexible cement based rapid set tile adhesive to secure. Similarly a high performance flexible waterproof cement based grout must be used but in heavy traffic areas you must use epoxy based grouts.

Complete the tiling of the room and add any shower screens as required. Remember to apply some WetBasew Waterproof Joint Adhesive/ Sealant into any holes drilled through your tiles or tray that are required to fix your shower screens or accessories.