PREPARATION GUIDE FOR HOT
MOPPED SHOWER PANS
Our commitment to our customers is to give your project a:
ON TIME
TOP QUALITY
TROUBLE FREE
COST EFFECTIVE
HOT MOPPED SHOWER PAN
Taking the time to have your pan ready when we arrive saves time and money for all
involved. Other contractors may take short cuts or make do with shower pans that are
not quite ready! We at DKShowerPans will not do a pan that is not ready, we will inform
you as to what needs to be done before we can proceed. Reschedule if necessary. We
want your Hot Mopped Shower Pan to be the very best your money can buy. Thank
you for taking the time to learn about having your shower pan ready for us, call us if
you need any further assistance or have a unique situation!!!
FOR WOOD FRAME CONSTRUCTION
All backing needs to be solid, a single 2x10 or better works well.
2-2x6s or any combination of lumber stacked on edge is acceptable, nail or screw
tightly together as possible with no gaps between the pieces, bottom plate to block,
and/or block to block.
Where plumbing or other constraints prohibits the use of 2x blocking, plywood or
other sheeting can be used.
Where blocking cannot be installed due to obstructions in the bay. Sheet metal
backing can be used, 24 gauge are best.
We can supply sheet metal backing at a nominal cost if needed. Please inform the
backing only is used were wood backing cannot be used due to obstructions, usually this happens were the plumbing or other construction trades need to run their
materials in the shower walls.
BENCHES OR SHOWER SEATS
Both the face and top need to be fully sheeted or blocked.
Vertical backing is needed were the seat face meets the walls, bottom plate to a
minimum of 5-1/2” above the seat/bench top. The minimum width of 3-1/2” is required here.
Where the bench top meets the wall, 5-1/2” is the minimum blocking requirement
here.
1/2” plywood is the minimum thickness to use as sheeting.
It always a good idea to pitch your seat/bench top this needs to be done when it
framed, we cannot pitch a seat/bench top with the pre-pitch preparation we do for
This needs to be done the day before your Hot Mop application. Call for details and
pricing!
CURBS/DAMS
Curbs should be a minimum of 2” above the height of the drain top and not more
receptors.
The curb can be built of wood, brick, poured concrete, or the pan can be recessed.
The industry standard for curbs is 4-1/2” in height, and 3-1/2” in width. This is usuat the entrance to your shower pan.
Special heights and widths can be done depending on the lay-out and design of
your shower pan.
PREPARATIONS FOR DRAINS
other device (2-piece bolt together!) to make a water tight connection between the
Hot Mop and drain. This means that the top piece of the drain must bolt to the bottom piece with the Hot Mop layers in between!
iron bottom with ABS top are the most common ones used, some also may have an
adjustable height drain screen that screws into the clamping ring of the drain.
Drains need to be installed level and be secured to achieve the minimum amount or
movement.
with it.
Any areas that concrete was removed or boxed out for trap access and install,
large holes. This is a common mistake we run into a lot. Visit our “Are you Ready
Page” @ dkshowerpans.com for some photos!!!
SPECIALTY DRAINS
Pre-made troughs are available and some can be hot-mopped in place. Please call
with manufactures name and we can verify if your product can be used.
Thunder-bird deck drains and custom built copper sluice and or trough drains can
also be mopped-in, depending on local codes.
TROUGH DRAINS
When making your own trough. The area where the drain will be needs to be rethat the drain top is at the height of your trough bottom. This applies to either wood
maintained. 9” wide X 6” deep X length of trough desired.
Many new styles of trough drains are now available and we at Dk ShowerPans.com
have been able to adapt these to a Hot Mop application in many cases.
WE INSTALL DRAINS
In order for us to install a drain for you there can be no
We do not install any pipe or make any connection besides the drain to the stub up!
to wrap the pipe with cardboard, foam and/or with duct tape to get the clearance for
our drain to slip down and be level after you pour any concrete needed
We can only install the drains that we supply.
HOT MOP “ADJUSTABLE DRAIN
ADAPTERS”
Ebbe drain systems make an adapter plate that converts a regular stack drain into
an adjustable screen screw in type! This can take a square drain top that comes in a
adapting to a trough drain as your design ideas change!!! Call us for more info!
TUB AND PONY WALLS
When you have a your tub and shower laid out next to each other the dividing wall
and/or ledge should be hot mopped.
plate to top with solid material.
If the tub is lower than the top of the dividing wall then the portion facing the tub
should be blocked and can be mopped down to the tub deck.
If a pony wall is to be hot mopped, it will need to be solid blocked or sheeted with
plywood.
TUB LEDGES
When the tub deck is the same level as the dividing wall between the two, have the
tub deck sheathing and all framing installed and we will mop onto the deck at least
6” for the protection that is needed here.
Remember to have the dividing wall blocked or sheeted from bottom plate to deck
sheeting.
MORE DETAILS FOR “MAKING YOUR
PAN READY”
tween the studs prior to hanging of the drywall. Following the details to make your
pan ready for Hot Mop with shear wall covering. Drywall with-out backing behind is
not a suitable surface by itself as it be cracked or damaged during the installation of
the Hot Mop.
standards.(1/4” to 1/2” maximum per foot)
SOAP, SHAMPOO, AND OTHER
NICHES
Niches need to have solid backs and solid 3” jambs, sill and header framing, any
shape can be mopped!
Niches that are higher than 48” to top cannot be mopped unless prior notice is given.
WINDOWS IN SHOWERS
Fixed panels and operating windows that are to be exposed to the shower head(s)
should be set after the hot mop is completed. As to be able
tor and/or the manufactures for their recommended guide lines.
In some cases the hot mop will roll over the rough jamb opening and tie into the exThe same applies to any door openings that may open into a shower unit, rough sill
OTHER BACKING APPLICATIONS:
Hot mopping also adheres to block, concrete walls, sheet metal, drywall, hardi-backer, cement backer boards, denshield and other materials, all can serve as backing if
used properly, and if they are to be covered with a second layer of tile backing material.
PREPARATION FOR ADA OR
WALK-IN SHOWERS
Please read our blogs (dkshowerpans.com) for more information on this topic! Lots
of things need to be followed for this type of shower pan to be hot mopped properly,
but here are the main basics if you are considering this style of shower!
needs to recessed, weather on wood or concrete, 3” is minimum requirement for
a standard size shower(check your local codes) and the use of a adjustable drain
is recommended and in most cases mandatory. There must be a smooth transition
The recess edge serves as your curb and will need to be mopped a minimum of 4”
ROMAN AND SPA TUBS
Tubs need to be fully sheeted. All shapes and sizes can be Hot Mopped.
No jets or penetrations can be installed until after the hot mop.
Drain size needs to be 2” and the same type as a shower.
cal building dept.
The tub deck and 6” above on any adjoining walls will be mopped, these walls to be
solidly backed as with a shower pan.
Concrete tubs can be hot mopped.
STEEL STUD FRAMING
Steel studs need to have 10” high of heavy gauge sheet metal (24 gauge minimum)
Curbs need to be solid with no gaps between top and bottom plate. Surface applied
metal works here also.
If applicable, surface applied drywall or other board material can be used for backing as long as the mop is going to be lapped by a second layer of tile backing matestances where this can be used.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about
hot mop shower pan preparations!
If you have a unique situation please give us a call.
1.866.305.4980
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ONLY, USER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR ITS USE. DKSHOWERPANS CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY BE CAUSE BY ITS USE. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR BUILDING DEPARTMENT.