Greetings,
I desperately need to replace the (at least 10 years) old shower base
in my basement (see photo with measurements at:
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html)

Due to serious and very strict space constraints, it *must* be a
neo-angle 36"x36" model. So far, this requirement is not posing a
problem since there are many manufacturers who have those in their
product line.

However, the *drain location* proved to be a HUGE problem: After
spending a lot of time in local hardware stores (including Home Depot
and ACE Hardware), I discovered to my horror that they are not able to
sell me such a 36" unit with a drain location identical to the one I
have (8" from each side). :-(

I then started searching and researching the Internet. I found quite a
few manufacturers that produce 36" neo-angle units, but it seems that
the common drain location nowadays is about 12", not 8". :-(

A list of the manufacturers/brands I found so far is listed at the
bottom of this page: http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html

I am having hard time to believe (wishful thinking?) that I am stuck
in this project, unable to find a replacement unit. After all, whoever
installed this did not order a custom-made shower base. This shower
base seems to have been standard 10-15 years ago.

While visiting those stores, I was given suggestions such as
power-hammering the concrete floor to change the location of the drain
or installing a "standard" 36" shower base on a raised platform (thus
allowing to fit an elbowed pipe to the existing drain location) - but
these solutions are highly undesirable.

Is there anyone out there who have seen such a "weird" unit? Know
where I can purchase one? Know someone who can help find one?

If so, I would forever be grateful for eternity.

Thank you very much!
Lynn

P.S. I am actually looking for an entire shower kit (plastic walls,
glass sides and door, etc.) but I believe this is not a big issue.

"Linux Lover" wrote in message
om...
Greetings,
I desperately need to replace the (at least 10 years) old shower base
in my basement (see photo with measurements at:
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html)

Due to serious and very strict space constraints, it *must* be a
neo-angle 36"x36" model. So far, this requirement is not posing a
problem since there are many manufacturers who have those in their
product line.

However, the *drain location* proved to be a HUGE problem: After
spending a lot of time in local hardware stores (including Home Depot
and ACE Hardware), I discovered to my horror that they are not able to
sell me such a 36" unit with a drain location identical to the one I
have (8" from each side). :-(

I then started searching and researching the Internet. I found quite a
few manufacturers that produce 36" neo-angle units, but it seems that
the common drain location nowadays is about 12", not 8". :-(

A list of the manufacturers/brands I found so far is listed at the
bottom of this page: http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html

I am having hard time to believe (wishful thinking?) that I am stuck
in this project, unable to find a replacement unit. After all, whoever
installed this did not order a custom-made shower base. This shower
base seems to have been standard 10-15 years ago.

While visiting those stores, I was given suggestions such as
power-hammering the concrete floor to change the location of the drain
or installing a "standard" 36" shower base on a raised platform (thus
allowing to fit an elbowed pipe to the existing drain location) - but
these solutions are highly undesirable.

Is there anyone out there who have seen such a "weird" unit? Know
where I can purchase one? Know someone who can help find one?

If so, I would forever be grateful for eternity.

Thank you very much!
Lynn

P.S. I am actually looking for an entire shower kit (plastic walls,
glass sides and door, etc.) but I believe this is not a big issue.

Me thinks your actually going to tile the shower to get what you want.

Linux Lover wrote:
Greetings,
I desperately need to replace the (at least 10 years) old shower base
in my basement (see photo with measurements at:
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html)

Due to serious and very strict space constraints, it *must* be a
neo-angle 36"x36" model. So far, this requirement is not posing a
problem since there are many manufacturers who have those in their
product line.

However, the *drain location* proved to be a HUGE problem: After
spending a lot of time in local hardware stores (including Home Depot
and ACE Hardware), I discovered to my horror that they are not able to
sell me such a 36" unit with a drain location identical to the one I
have (8" from each side). :-(

I then started searching and researching the Internet. I found quite a
few manufacturers that produce 36" neo-angle units, but it seems that
the common drain location nowadays is about 12", not 8". :-(

A list of the manufacturers/brands I found so far is listed at the
bottom of this page: http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html

I am having hard time to believe (wishful thinking?) that I am stuck
in this project, unable to find a replacement unit. After all, whoever
installed this did not order a custom-made shower base. This shower
base seems to have been standard 10-15 years ago.

While visiting those stores, I was given suggestions such as
power-hammering the concrete floor to change the location of the drain
or installing a "standard" 36" shower base on a raised platform (thus
allowing to fit an elbowed pipe to the existing drain location) - but
these solutions are highly undesirable.

Is there anyone out there who have seen such a "weird" unit? Know
where I can purchase one? Know someone who can help find one?

If so, I would forever be grateful for eternity.

Thank you very much!
Lynn

P.S. I am actually looking for an entire shower kit (plastic walls,
glass sides and door, etc.) but I believe this is not a big issue.

Sounds like an American Standard 3838.NEOTS
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457

You are welcome....see you in eternity.

Travis Jordan wrote:
Linux Lover wrote:
Greetings,
I desperately need to replace the (at least 10 years) old shower
base in my basement (see photo with measurements at:
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html)

Due to serious and very strict space constraints, it *must* be a
neo-angle 36"x36" model. So far, this requirement is not posing a
problem since there are many manufacturers who have those in their
product line.

However, the *drain location* proved to be a HUGE problem: After
spending a lot of time in local hardware stores (including Home
Depot and ACE Hardware), I discovered to my horror that they are
not able to sell me such a 36" unit with a drain location identical
to the one I have (8" from each side). :-(

I then started searching and researching the Internet. I found
quite a few manufacturers that produce 36" neo-angle units, but it
seems that the common drain location nowadays is about 12", not 8".
:-(

A list of the manufacturers/brands I found so far is listed at the
bottom of this page: http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html

I am having hard time to believe (wishful thinking?) that I am stuck
in this project, unable to find a replacement unit. After all,
whoever installed this did not order a custom-made shower base.
This shower base seems to have been standard 10-15 years ago.

While visiting those stores, I was given suggestions such as
power-hammering the concrete floor to change the location of the
drain or installing a "standard" 36" shower base on a raised
platform (thus allowing to fit an elbowed pipe to the existing
drain location) - but these solutions are highly undesirable.

Is there anyone out there who have seen such a "weird" unit? Know
where I can purchase one? Know someone who can help find one?

If so, I would forever be grateful for eternity.

Thank you very much!
Lynn

P.S. I am actually looking for an entire shower kit (plastic walls,
glass sides and door, etc.) but I believe this is not a big issue.

Sounds like an American Standard 3838.NEOTS
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457

You are welcome....see you in eternity.

Should have mentioned...look at the AmStd "Town Square" NEO series for
matching walls and doors.
http://www.fixturesdirect.com/displa... can+Standard

Travis Jordan wrote:
Sounds like an American Standard 3838.NEOTS
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457

You are welcome....see you in eternity.


Should have mentioned...look at the AmStd "Town Square" NEO series for
matching walls and doors.
http://www.fixturesdirect.com/displa... can+Standard


Travis, thank you for your reply and good will, but both units that you
mentioned are 38", not 36" as I mentioned as being one of the constraints.

Besides, I looked at the specification sheet
(http://www.fixturesdirect.com/specs/SpecSheet_1255.pdf) but couldn't
find any reference to its drain location. This is my BIG problem: The
drain hole center must be 8" from each wall (as shown in the photo he
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html).

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Lynn

Linux Lover wrote:

Travis Jordan wrote:

Sounds like an American Standard 3838.NEOTS
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457

You are welcome....see you in eternity.



Should have mentioned...look at the AmStd "Town Square" NEO series for
matching walls and doors.
http://www.fixturesdirect.com/displa... can+Standard



Travis, thank you for your reply and good will, but both units that you
mentioned are 38", not 36" as I mentioned as being one of the constraints.

Besides, I looked at the specification sheet
(http://www.fixturesdirect.com/specs/SpecSheet_1255.pdf) but couldn't
find any reference to its drain location. This is my BIG problem: The
drain hole center must be 8" from each wall (as shown in the photo he
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html).

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Lynn


Oops... Just checked the specs in the first link you provided and while
it is still a 38" unit (will not fit my setup), the drain hole center is
indeed about 8" (8-7/16" to be exact) - which is a miracle! How did
you find this one?

Now... if only I could find a similar unit but in 36". I would forever
be grateful for eternity. :-)

Thanks,
Lynn

Me Find This Shower Base
From: Linux Lover


Linux Lover wrote:

Travis Jordan wrote:

Sounds like an American Standard 3838.NEOTS
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457

You are welcome....see you in eternity.



Should have mentioned...look at the AmStd "Town Square" NEO series for
matching walls and doors.

http://www.fixturesdirect.com/displa...TS&manufacture
r=American+Standard




Travis, thank you for your reply and good will, but both units that you
mentioned are 38", not 36" as I mentioned as being one of the constraints.

Besides, I looked at the specification sheet
(http://www.fixturesdirect.com/specs/SpecSheet_1255.pdf) but couldn't
find any reference to its drain location. This is my BIG problem: The
drain hole center must be 8" from each wall (as shown in the photo he
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html).

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Lynn


Oops... Just checked the specs in the first link you provided and while
it is still a 38" unit (will not fit my setup), the drain hole center is
indeed about 8" (8-7/16" to be exact) - which is a miracle! How did
you find this one?

Now... if only I could find a similar unit but in 36". I would forever
be grateful for eternity. :-)

Thanks,
Lynn

Do they even make then 36 x 36 anymore? I thought they couldn't because of ADA
codes.

Linux Lover wrote:
Greetings,
I desperately need to replace the (at least 10 years) old shower base
in my basement (see photo with measurements at:
http://linuxlover.50megs.com/photo2.html)

[snip]

google for "custom shower base." You'll find lots of places that can
make one for you.

Here's two:

http://www.showerbase.com/
http://www.jettaproducts.com/

Hmmmm - you've even looked at Jetta. They can't custom one up?

The other alternative is (ugh) build one out of tile. It's not too
difficult, and lots of contractors can do it for you.

- Bryan

(HA HA Budys Here) wrote in message ...

Do they even make then 36 x 36 anymore? I thought they couldn't because of ADA
codes.

Yes, they do. Look for example at the Americh Neo Angle Model number
A3636NEO (http://www.bathandkitchenstudio.com/...product_id=735).
Unfortunately its drain center is 12", not 8" from the walls.

BTW, what is ADA? American Dental Association? :-)

Lynn

bl wrote in message ...

Here's two:

http://www.showerbase.com/
http://www.jettaproducts.com/

Hmmmm - you've even looked at Jetta. They can't custom one up?

The other alternative is (ugh) build one out of tile. It's not too
difficult, and lots of contractors can do it for you.


Thanks, Bryan. It seems that you carefully read my posting and I truly
appreciate it. You are right about Jetta making custom ones, but I
haven't contacted them yet.

Contacting manufacturers is my next step, after getting from the
wonderful folks in this newsgroup as much information as I can gather.
The main problem I see with custom made ones is that they might cost
me an arm and leg.

I really didn't plan on making this a huge project. I thought I could
simply plug in a direct replacment and that's it. Instead, it is
becoming an entire construction project - what a nightmare...

You are the third person offering to build one of tile, which make me
think "hmmm... so many people recommending tile, there must be merit
to it". The only problem I have with tiling is cleaning it. While
plastic/vinyl is cheap, it is one smooth plane with no grouts that are
so tedious to clean. Can you (or other posters) comment on this?

Thanks,
Lynn

Linux Lover wrote:

(HA HA Budys Here) wrote in message ...

Do they even make then 36 x 36 anymore? I thought they couldn't because of ADA
codes.


Yes, they do. Look for example at the Americh Neo Angle Model number
A3636NEO (http://www.bathandkitchenstudio.com/...product_id=735).
Unfortunately its drain center is 12", not 8" from the walls.

BTW, what is ADA? American Dental Association? :-)

Lynn
Americans with Disabilities Act. Federal law which dictates minimum
requirements to make facilities available for disabled persons. Governs
such things as ramps, door widths, toilet types, curbs. Required for all
public facilities, optional for private, but "highly" recommended by some.

Sounds like you are going to need a custom base or really consider the
tile method. Suggest you get an estimate from a couple of good tilemen
and compare to the cost of the custom base. Cleaning considerations are
about a push since most "textured" bases will have more nooks and
crannies than grouted tile. You could just tile a base and use
fiberglass surrounds for the walls.


--
Grandpa Koca - SAHD for 6 - Keeper of the Perpetual Kindergarten

My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked. It is price
competitive. If you like, I'll trade for one of yours.

Lynn,

The main problem I see with custom made ones is that they might cost
me an arm and leg.

I built a shower this summer, with Swanstone parts. I was lucky, I
could use a standard 32x60 base with the drain in the middle. Even that
base was ~$600, with the 3 walls the Swanstone parts totalled $1800. A
custom one might be more, but it's _EASY_. Easy to install, easy to
clean, won't leak, looks good. And an amatuer can do a
professional-looking job in a few hours.

You are the third person offering to build one of tile, which make me
think "hmmm... so many people recommending tile, there must be merit
to it". The only problem I have with tiling is cleaning it. While
plastic/vinyl is cheap, it is one smooth plane with no grouts that are
so tedious to clean. Can you (or other posters) comment on this?

I'm not a fan of tile. You can do almost any shape with it, sure. But
it's a fair amount of work. If it's your first time tiling, it will
often look like it. You have to grout. And seal grout. And clean
grout. There are many more opportunities for leaks. You have to make
the floor slope. For me, that adds up to calling a contractor, and at
that point you've spent as much as a custom shower base. A good tile
guy can do beautiful things with tile, given time and a sufficient budget.

Good plastic isn't cheap. I priced doing my shower in Corian, just for
info. $3500 ... That was just for a base and 3 walls, and me doing the
labor!

A lot depends on what you consider an arm and a leg, and what kind of
house you're putting the shower in.

- Bryan

bl wrote:
I built a shower this summer, with Swanstone parts. I was lucky, I
could use a standard 32x60 base with the drain in the middle. Even that
base was ~$600, with the 3 walls the Swanstone parts totalled $1800. A
custom one might be more, but it's _EASY_. Easy to install, easy to
clean, won't leak, looks good. And an amatuer can do a
professional-looking job in a few hours.

Wow! And I was naively thinking that I can get away with not much more
than the *complete* shower kits (standard, centered drain, includes
walls, glass end everything) costing here at Home Depot about $218...

I'm not a fan of tile. You can do almost any shape with it, sure. But
it's a fair amount of work. If it's your first time tiling, it will
often look like it. You have to grout. And seal grout. And clean
grout. There are many more opportunities for leaks. You have to make
the floor slope. For me, that adds up to calling a contractor, and at
that point you've spent as much as a custom shower base. A good tile
guy can do beautiful things with tile, given time and a sufficient budget.

Thanks for reinforcing my opinion about tiling. Tiling is out of a
question for me then.


Good plastic isn't cheap. I priced doing my shower in Corian, just for
info. $3500 ... That was just for a base and 3 walls, and me doing the
labor!

A lot depends on what you consider an arm and a leg, and what kind of
house you're putting the shower in.


The kind of house I am in right now is a 20-year old cheaply built town
house in New England. Everything is wood/drywall based and very poor
workmanship and quality of materials. Not worth investing in Corian... I
am trying to get away with the least expensive but also least labor
intensive option.

I amazed that I can't find a plug-in replacement. The shower base you
saw in the photo doesn't look to me custom made. I wish I knew which
company manufactured it - I could than contact them and get a definitive
"yes" or "no".

Imagine investing lots of money and labor in fitting in something
expensive, only to find 2 months later that a direct plug-in replacement
could have been found somewhere...

Lynn

Linux Lover wrote:

Wow! And I was naively thinking that I can get away with not much more
than the *complete* shower kits (standard, centered drain, includes
walls, glass end everything) costing here at Home Depot about $218...

and

The kind of house I am in right now is a 20-year old cheaply built town
house in New England. Everything is wood/drywall based and very poor
workmanship and quality of materials.

Got it. I was doing a master bathroom gut and rebuild on a townhome
that was for sale for $250k - a Home Depot fiberglass or gelcoat unit
wasn't going to cut it. It had to look reasonably upscale. A basement
shower in what you describe is a different animal.

I amazed that I can't find a plug-in replacement. The shower base you
saw in the photo doesn't look to me custom made. I wish I knew which
company manufactured it - I could than contact them and get a definitive
"yes" or "no".

If the company is even still in business! If you pull the old one,
there may be a company name molded in the bottom. But there may not,
and then you're committed.

Aren't home repairs fun? Good luck in your search. You might try
asking questions at a large bathroom/plumbing supply store, preferably
one where the contractors go - your local equivalent of
http://dahlplumbing.com/ - these guys are great.

You might ask your neighbors who have similar townhomes - maybe one of
them has already figured this out?

- Bryan

From: bl
Date: 11/13/2004 10:39 PM Eastern


Linux Lover wrote:

Wow! And I was naively thinking that I can get away with not much more
than the *complete* shower kits (standard, centered drain, includes
walls, glass end everything) costing here at Home Depot about $218...

and

The kind of house I am in right now is a 20-year old cheaply built town
house in New England. Everything is wood/drywall based and very poor
workmanship and quality of materials.

Got it. I was doing a master bathroom gut and rebuild on a townhome
that was for sale for $250k - a Home Depot fiberglass or gelcoat unit
wasn't going to cut it. It had to look reasonably upscale. A basement
shower in what you describe is a different animal.

I amazed that I can't find a plug-in replacement. The shower base you
saw in the photo doesn't look to me custom made. I wish I knew which
company manufactured it - I could than contact them and get a definitive
"yes" or "no".

If the company is even still in business! If you pull the old one,
there may be a company name molded in the bottom. But there may not,
and then you're committed.

Aren't home repairs fun? Good luck in your search. You might try
asking questions at a large bathroom/plumbing supply store, preferably
one where the contractors go - your local equivalent of
http://dahlplumbing.com/ - these guys are great.

You might ask your neighbors who have similar townhomes - maybe one of
them has already figured this out?

- Bryan

Not for nothing, but even if this shower is on a concrete slab, it's only about
4-6" thick. Moving the drain center from 8" x 8" to 12" x 12" is less than 5"
of chopping the slab with hammer and chisel. From there, one could purchase 99%
of the readily available kits along with a sack of redi-mix.

Thank you all so much for your answers. I guess that my options right
now a

1) Modify the bathroom door to open outward instead of inward,
allowing me to install the 38" unit Travis Jordan found:
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457.

Pros: 1. will get me a more roomy shower.
2. will save me from power hammering the concrete slab.
(*if* 8-7/16" is not too much of a deviation from 8")
Cons: 1. will have to modify the door (unplanned work).
2. will have to cut the existing tiles on floor to fit the
different line of this 38" shower.

2) Order a custom unit (per Bryan's suggestion).

Pros: 1. least headache.
Cons: 1. probably most expensive solution?
2. longer lead time?

3) Moving the drain center by chiseling the concrete slab.

Pros: 1. will allow me greater flexibility in picking from
a variaty of products.
2. perhaps will free me from being locked into the
existing non-standard solution? (if new one cracks too).
Cons: 1. Messy. Too risky for me to do. I will probably have to
hand this over to a professional (plumber? builder?
what kind of a professional?)
2. Due to labor involved, probably most expensive.

4) Moving the drain center by raising the base on a platform.

Pros: 1. will save me from power hammering the concrete slab.
(*if* 8-7/16" is not too much of a deviation from 8")
2. will free me from being locked into the
existing non-standard solution.
3. Probably the least expensive solution.
Cons: 1. Ugly. Weird.


Any opinions? Comments?

Thanks,
Lynn

Linux Lover wrote:
Thank you all so much for your answers. I guess that my options right
now a

1) Modify the bathroom door to open outward instead of inward,
allowing me to install the 38" unit Travis Jordan found:
http://www.faucet.com/cgi-bin/product.pl?mid=457.

Pros: 1. will get me a more roomy shower.
2. will save me from power hammering the concrete slab.
(*if* 8-7/16" is not too much of a deviation from 8")
Cons: 1. will have to modify the door (unplanned work).
2. will have to cut the existing tiles on floor to fit the
different line of this 38" shower.

2) Order a custom unit (per Bryan's suggestion).

Pros: 1. least headache.
Cons: 1. probably most expensive solution?
2. longer lead time?

3) Moving the drain center by chiseling the concrete slab.

Pros: 1. will allow me greater flexibility in picking from
a variaty of products.
2. perhaps will free me from being locked into the
existing non-standard solution? (if new one cracks too).
Cons: 1. Messy. Too risky for me to do. I will probably have to
hand this over to a professional (plumber? builder?
what kind of a professional?)
2. Due to labor involved, probably most expensive.

4) Moving the drain center by raising the base on a platform.

Pros: 1. will save me from power hammering the concrete slab.
(*if* 8-7/16" is not too much of a deviation from 8")
2. will free me from being locked into the
existing non-standard solution.
3. Probably the least expensive solution.
Cons: 1. Ugly. Weird.


Any opinions? Comments?

Thanks,
Lynn

Hi again, Lynn.

Personally, I'd avoid #4. Too ugly, too weird, and likely just to be
something that you'll trip over anyway. Around here (Florida), that kind of
installation wouldn't be acceptable to our code guys in the city. Maybe
that doesn't matter if you're not planning on permitting it / getting it
inspected.

I'd at least get an estimate for #3 - who knows, the plumber (that's what
you need, a plumbing contractor, to start with anyway) may have a whole
bunch of old 36x36 (8" drain) shower bases in their warehouse grin. See
how much it would cost so you know what you are up against.

If #3 is too expensive (and the plumber can't offer a better alternative),
then I'd go with #1. Going forward, you shouldn't have a problem getting a
replacement base - if they seem amenable to discussion, I'd ask your plumber
whether they think the 8 7/16" drain spacing will work with your existing
installation before you launch into it.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Travis