When it comes to showering - the shower tray is an important item to get right. Shower Trays come in many different shapes and sizes and the list below tries to explain the differences.
. A heavy substantial material that is acrylic capped for long life. Some Shower trays have
which will enable you to tile over the shower tray for a guaranteed leak free installation. Other trays have the option of purchasing a
It may seem the last thing you think about, but more accidents happen in the home than anywhere – and shower trays can be slippery customers.
When you think of safety in the home, you might think of the risk of fire or slipping on the stairs but shower tray safety? Last year, the BBC reported on a story that highlights
shower tray safety is something that can affect all of us. Scott Quinnell was a rugby star capped 52 times for Wales. But his sporting future looked doubtful after he fell through a glass shower door in his home. Slipping on shower trays can be dangerous –and the fact is, shower trays can become slimy and slippery unless cleaned and maintained regularly. Quinnell had glass embedded in his arm, hand and knee as a result of his fall. His wife said, “He was just getting into the shower when he slipped."
The story highlights that it isn’t just those vulnerable to slipping – the elderly, or children, but even athletes can succumb. When slippery, shower trays can be hazardous.
Shower Tray Safety Tips
Shower tray safety is all about being aware of the potential dangers.
Shower trays may seem innocuous, but as the story above shows, they can be an extreme danger. This doesn’t mean you should cordon off your shower! Slipping in the bath is equally problematic. Slipping on shower trays can be dangerous for the elderly though who are more prone to brittle, breaking bones. Small children are vulnerable to slipping and cracking their heads if care is not taken, and of course, most of us are still half asleep before our feet even touch the shower tray! A mislaid bar of soap could be enough to cause mayhem.
Ensuring shower trays are safe and reducing the risk of accidents is simple:
- It’s a chore, but cleaning shower trays regularly is crucial to stop grease, soap scum and slime building up: all of which can create a slippery shower tray.
- Make sure your soap is stored on the soap tray, or use a gel soap with the lid firmly fixed back on after use.
- Avoid oil-based products that can leave shower trays slippery.
- If you haven’t got one, install a soap rack to store all your soaps and bottles
Always choose a good quality,
non slip shower tray to begin with. Simple cleanliness and safety measures will safeguard you from a nasty slip.
Shower Trays - Battling Soap Scum...
Shower trays can be the hardest place to clean thanks to the daily battering they take, check out our top cleaning tips.
Cleaning shower trays is not exactly a fun job. But not cleaning shower trays can lead to a frankly disgusting shower – the build up of unwanted hair, soap scum and general flotsam and jetsam in shower trays can leave your skin crawling. And it only takes a couple of days for shower trays to build up slime and grease. This can not only be unpleasant when you step onto your shower tray in the morning, it can also be dangerous: the soap scum can cause you to slip. Stories in the press have shown a few horror stories where people have slipped in their shower trays, and fallen into the shower door or cracked their heads against the shower enclosure. But cleaning your shower trays isn't particularly tricky – all it takes is routine and habit as well as ensuring you have the right cleaning materials on hand.
Shower Trays - How Clean is Yours?
Kim and Aggie, TV's cleaning gurus, are often seen advising the worst housekeeper on how to get on top of their filth. Cleaning shower trays is, they say, no trickier than cleaning a bath. It's best to use an all purpose cleaner. Some shower trays are more vulnerable in hard water areas, so make sure you use a limescale remover once a week on your shower tray then rinse thoroughly. Cleaning shower trays and showers are probably the most-hated chore in most households, but once you have the materials at hand it doesn't have to be difficult. Try and get into the daily habit of giving your shower trays a quick clean and wipe after every use. Keeping a window cleaner squeegy in your bathroom is also a great way of pushing excess water that might linger in shower trays down the plug and can be used to do a quick clean of your shower screens too.
Cleaning Shower Trays, Screens and Shower Heads
Although it's obvious you need to clean shower trays – you can see the scum and feel the slime if you don't – it isn't so obvious that shower heads need cleaning too. Shower heads can get blocked with limescale; simply remove the shower head and soak it in a solution of half distilled vinegar and half water, then rinse thoroughly. If you are in a hard water area, this should be a frequent job!
It's all very well cleaning shower trays, screens and heads, but why is it the grout always gets so filthy? Mould and dirt build up, but a mould remover product and a toothbrush will work wonders, or just a touch of bleach in hot water will help inhibit mould. It's worth keeping on top of as if you don't and the mould gets in the sealant, you'll end up having to strip the old sealant and replace it with new. Regular cleaning of your
shower trays, screens, heads and grout will all ensure the place you freshen up in stays fresh.
Shower Trays - Waste Not Want Not...
When installing new shower enclosures and shower trays, it is important to take waste removal into account. A report on Channel 4 Homes looks at the dos and do nots of when it comes to placement of shower trays.
When it comes to the layout of a bathroom, in terms of fixtures and fittings, it is important to bear in mind that the waste systems are the least flexible part of the room. According to the report on Channel 4 Homes, the placement of shower enclosures and
shower trays will have to be in a spot that is conducive to the current wastage system in order to avoid any unnecessary upheaval. The waste that accumulates in shower trays needs to run downhill to be extracted and altering existing wastage systems can be extremely problematic, so, it’s a good idea to consider this fact when buying your new shower enclosure.
Shower Trays - Age of House
The age of your property is likely to have a bearing on the location and type of waste system that it has which, of course, will have a knock-on effect on the placement of shower trays and cubicles in the bathroom. Older houses, those dating from before 1930 generally, will tend to have to have hoppers on the downpipe for the waste from shower trays to run into and you will need to ensure that there is a sufficient slope from the shower tray to the pipe as shower waste won’t run on an upward trajectory without installing expensive pumping equipment.
Showers Trays - Getting the Right Fit
According to the report on Channel 4 Homes, the size of the waste pipe that run into shower trays are normally 1.5" and it is extremely important to remember to clip the waste pipe in order to prevent the build up of waste in shower trays and the pipe itself. According to the report on Channel 4 Homes, there are 3 main ways that waste pipes can be attached to shower trays. These being:
- Stick Fit - This variety takes up less space when used with shower trays but once they are stuck together they cannot be taken apart again.
- Compression Fit – This variety is utilised to fit the all the slight variations that can be found in waste pipes that are fed into shower trays.
- Push Fit – Exactly what it sounds like. This entails pushing the fitting into the waste pipe that joins onto the shower tray.
Shower Tray Articles
Shower Trays and Mobility IssuesShower trays and shower enclosures need to be modified if you have mobility difficulties.
Shower Trays and Foot HealthMillions of us step onto shower trays every morning, but how aware are we of foot hygiene?
Shower Trays and Athletes FootBeware of stepping onto shower trays - Athlete's Foot is painful, damaging and very contagious.
Shower Trays - Stay SafeWe can take shower trays for granted, but it's worth remembering that most accidents take place in the home, and bathrooms can be a hot spot!
Shower Trays - Installation TipsShower trays are not easy to install, they need to be done correctly or you could risk major problems.
A simple 3 step guide to choosing the right Shower Tray
Most bathroom retailers now have technology that can allow them to virtually create your bathroom on a computer, all you have to do is give them the measurements, door and window positions. When you want to fit a new shower tray and enclosure it is best to contact a professional for advice.
Choosing the right shower tray
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