Shower pans are among the most crucial elements in multi-family or hotel construction, but they’re also one of the most susceptible to failure. In high-rent, high-traffic areas, improper installation can quickly turn a small leak into a monumental liability. The biggest culprit? The drain.

One of the primary reasons for failure is poor waterproofing at the drain assembly. Without proper sealing, even the smallest gaps allow water to seep through, eventually causing significant damage to walls and floors. In exploratory demolition of units that had already experienced water damage, it was revealed that improperly sealed drains were the #1 cause of failure, leading to leaks in newly rented multi-family units.

In fact, the installation of shower pans is so mission-critical that many industry experts recommend performing a flood test — filling the shower pan with water and monitoring for any drop in the water level, which would indicate a leak. Using prefabricated or tile ready pans made of foam can help reduce installation errors, but it’s still essential to ensure that subfloors are reinforced to prevent flexing that might compromise the pan.

Avoiding shower pan failures is about more than using the right materials; it’s about expert installation and ensuring that every connection is properly sealed. Contractors and builders need to be diligent in performing checks like the flood test and addressing common points of failure early on to prevent costly leaks down the line.

By understanding the vulnerabilities of shower pan installations and taking proactive measures, you can avoid the costly consequences that come from overlooked waterproofing. After all, the smallest oversight in a high-traffic building can lead to major problems that might not surface until after tenants move in.