Save 6–10 Labor Hours on a Shower Install | EZ Able

How Do Pre-Leveled Bases and Backed Walls Save Install Time?

Quick answer

Two features take most of the slow work out of a shower install. A pre-leveled base sets on a solid, level floor with no mortar (mud) bed. Plywood backing built into the wall panels means no wall blocking for grab bars or seats. Together they typically save a crew 6 to 10 labor hours per shower.

1. The base: no mud bed

  • The support is built into the underside and the slope to the drain is molded in at the factory. Nobody mixes, packs or levels mortar.
  • A mortar bed typically needs about 24 hours to harden enough to walk on. The two-part epoxy that bonds a pre-leveled base typically sets in about 1 to 2 hours, enough to remove the weights. The crew keeps working the same day.
  • No voids under the base, so no soft spots that flex underfoot.

Do not skip the floor check

Pre-leveled does not mean self-leveling. The subfloor must be solid and level first. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions for your model.

2. The walls: no blocking

  • Structural plywood backing is part of the wall panel, so there is no blocking to measure, cut and fasten between the studs.
  • Grab bars, fold-down seats and hand shower bars mount where the person using the shower needs them, not where a stud happens to be.
  • Needs change over time. A grab bar can be added years later without opening a finished wall.
  • Use the fasteners and mounting method in the installation instructions for both the shower and the accessory.

Where the hours come from

TaskTypical hours saved
Setting the base (no mortar bed)2–3
Cure time (epoxy instead of mortar)1–2
Wall blocking2–3
Accessory layout1–2
Total6–10

Your numbers depend on the crew, the floor and how many accessories the job calls for.

Common questions

Does a pre-leveled shower base need a mortar bed?

No. The underside is flat and self-supporting, so it sets on a solid, level floor without a mud bed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your model.

Can I install a pre-leveled base on a concrete slab?

In many cases, yes. Many models need no recess for the base, only an opening in the slab at the drain. Check the spec sheet for the required opening.

Can a fold-down seat be mounted to the backed walls?

Yes, as long as both the seat and the shower are installed per the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Can old mounting holes be repaired if a grab bar moves?

Yes. A skilled contractor can fill and refinish them. Best Bath showers have a gelcoat finish and a matching touch-up repair kit. EZ Able showers have an AcrylX™ applied acrylic finish, so contact us for the right repair materials. Tile is much harder, because it usually means replacing tile.

How do I get the installation instructions before I buy?

Click Get Installation Documents on the product page, and the spec sheets and installation instructions are sent to your email or phone.

Related help

Need a hand?

Call us at 877-392-2531, Monday–Friday, 9–5 Eastern. You can also open a support ticket or chat with Abby on ezable.com.