Supports under shower floor??

[wagonmaster2]

For anyone with a 34-36 foot Journey/Meridian, have you ever looked under your shower through the little heater vent to notice if there are any kind of supports under the shower pan? Mine doesn't have anything at all supporting where a person stands to take a shower and it sure looks like there should be.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[Finhawk]

I had a cracking sound from mine when it was new. The dealer put supports of some kind under it. I never checked to see what the fix was but since you brought it up, that will be my first project after 18 holes of golf tomorrow

[Midniteoyl]

Shoot some foam...

Or, if you can squeeze your hand in there, epoxy some wood blocks. But I like the foam..

[nsdienes]

On our 34Y, I added wooden supports plus styrofoam around the drain. Reduced the "bounce". Construct the support but make sure enough room for about 1/2 inch styrofoam and of course the same height as the original.

[Clay L]

During an "on the floor" factory tour I saw them vacuum mold shower pans. After the pan was cooled they sprayed a high density expanding foam to the bottom side and then quickly placed it in a fixture that set the height to the proper level.

I would think you should have the same on yours.

[Traps90]

If your going to use spray foam I would suggest using the low expanding foam

[Midniteoyl]

If you leave room for it to expand out instead of up, you'll be ok... plumbers do this all the time for 'bouncing' tubs... its better than having the drain flex and leak.

But, as said, wood blocks or foam sheets can be used if you can gain access..

[jimmccreary]

I looked under my shower with the air vent removed. Its not clear why there is an air vent under the shower except maybe to vent moisture. I see a large flat piece of 3/4 in plywood supported by plywood legs. Above the plywood is a rigid foam that may have been sprayed into the small space between the plywood and the bottom of the shower. The shower floor appears fairly rigid when standing on it. There are also a drain and water pipe as well.
hope this helps
jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H

[ernieh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmccreary I looked under my shower with the air vent removed. Its not clear why there is an air vent under the shower except maybe to vent moisture. I see a large flat piece of 3/4 in plywood supported by plywood legs. Above the plywood is a rigid foam that may have been sprayed into the small space between the plywood and the bottom of the shower. The shower floor appears fairly rigid when standing on it. There are also a drain and water pipe as well. hope this helps jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H

I'm pretty sure that the vent is the furnace return air from your holding tanks and sewer compartments.

[wagonmaster2]

I haven't actually measured the height of the space between the bottom of the shower pan and the plywood floor of the coach but it looks like it could be 4"-6", which fairly well would eliminate using any foam for support. Looks like the pan is part of the molded walls, all kind of one piece, sides and pan all one piece.

I may try cutting some 2X4 or 4X4 blocks and wedge under the pan, if I can figure out how to measure exactly back under there and how to hold the blocks in place. I'm sure they will work out of place even if they do fit pretty tight, but not so tight as to put any strain on the pan and maybe end up cracking something.

Have wondered if with no support under the pan it would allow the outer walls of the shower to flex which is what is working the floor tiles out from under the edge of the shower.

Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G

[Midniteoyl]

If its that much of a space, then epoxy some wood blocks in there.. epoxy will help keep them in place.

[Indian Creek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2 I haven't actually measured the height of the space between the bottom of the shower pan and the plywood floor of the coach but it looks like it could be 4"-6", which fairly well would eliminate using any foam for support. Looks like the pan is part of the molded walls, all kind of one piece, sides and pan all one piece. I may try cutting some 2X4 or 4X4 blocks and wedge under the pan, if I can figure out how to measure exactly back under there and how to hold the blocks in place. I'm sure they will work out of place even if they do fit pretty tight, but not so tight as to put any strain on the pan and maybe end up cracking something. Have wondered if with no support under the pan it would allow the outer walls of the shower to flex which is what is working the floor tiles out from under the edge of the shower. Wagonmaster2 2004 Meridian 36G

I believe you can fabricate a box-type pedestal to fit under the shower floor. Make the height to within 3/4 inch of the shower floor. You can put it together, a piece at a time, thru the vent hole. use liquid nails. Let it all set up for about an hour. When it is set, then spray foam in the space between the pedestal support and the shower floor. This will never move. It might benefit you, because of the opening size, to construct two small pedestals and put them side by side. The spray foam will keep them from moving. (ever) Good luck.

[jimmccreary]

Wagonmaster2,
A picture is worth a thousand words:

hope this helps.

jim & debbie, 04 Journey 34H

[Its Paid For]

I would not place 2" X 4" wood cut to length standing under shower pan as that is not a very large surface area in any one spot and will give you four angles on each block to apply your whole body weight to begin a crack.

IF you determine you have no actual support, which so far you seem unsure if you do or not, provide support that distributes weight on a large surface such as a 3/4" plywood base supported by 2" X 4". Keep small supports with sharp edges out of the equation.

My shower has a full access panel from the front. Might it be possible for you to create one?

The vent hole is meant for heat to blow through the bay that is below your drain line, usually where your water lines run to help keep them warm in winter. Not sure how you are seeing under your shower by looking in that vent hole. It is suppossed to have a round tube connected to it that blows the furnace air out of it by your shower. If you don't have a hose there, you have another problem to fix, and I bet your bathroom gets real cold in cold weather too.