Of the many options available to adorn your bathroom, an indispensable item is the shower pan. Shower pan is a small object that is dish-shaped and forms the floor of your shower unit. As this pre-cast piece of plastic bear a resemblance to something that you may find in the kitchen too, hence, the name "shower pan" is normally applied to that plastic unit which forms the floor of your shower installation. It has a drain opening in the middle and a moderate slope on the bottom so that the water can flow towards the drain. The most essential aspect of the shower pan is the drain as wherever you decide to place your shower; the drain has to be fixed in with the other plumbing present in the building. Hence, whenever you place or replace shower pan, you must be aware of the location of the nearest drain pipe and the difficulty involved to reach that obtainable pipe. Also, it is advisable to get a plumber or a professional each time you install or replace shower pan.

To install or replace shower pan, you will require at least four to six hours in hand. Particularly, replacement involves slight demolition work along with superior plumbing skills too. While fixing the pipe into the drain assembly from below, you will need the support of another person. As you replace shower pan, you need to do it carefully following the methods as discussed below:

1. Cut the old shower pan with a reciprocating saw and eradicate the surround.

2. Saw through the drainpipe that is connected to the old shower pan and then remove the shower pan.

3. Set the new shower pan on floor and verify its fit adjacent to the studs.

4. Build out the studs with the help of ½-inch plywood strips so that the pan can clear any obstructions; if necessary.

5. You need to now mark the shower pan's drain hole against the sub floor and also mark if the pan goes beyond the floor tile.

6. Now remove the old shower pan.

7. Fix the strainer to the drain hole in the shower pan.

8. Ensure the floor with a 4-foot level and then set up shims to build necessary level surface.

9. Set the new shower pan into place and then check for level.

10. Secure the shower pan to studs with the help of galvanized screws and make sure to irk the pilot holes first.

11. Further, dry fit the new PVC trap to drainpipe and glue together the PVC parts with cement and primer.

12. Fix the drainpipe to the shower pan's strainer with the help of a compression gasket and then by using a rubber mallet tap the gasket and pipe flush with shower floor.

13. Finish the installation by casing the walls with backer board, tile or use other finished materials.

Therefore, if you replace shower pan, keep a note of the above-mentioned procedure, so that you can complete the work perfectly and professionally too. The process might seem to be easy but again it is suggested that while you replace shower pan, you should also take the help of plumbers or professionals who can get your work done far more efficiently.