is anyone else finding plastic pans can squeak over time if the subfloor isn’t perfect?
That squeak is almost always from movement—usually a gap between the pan and the subfloor. Even a tiny bit of flex will do it. I always recommend bedding the pan in mortar, not just shims or dry-fit. It fills every void and locks it down tight. Have you tried that, or are you sticking with dry installs? Curious if anyone’s had luck long-term without using mortar under these things...
Plastic Vs. Tile-Ready Shower Bases: Which One's Less Hassle?
You’re not alone with the squeaky pan thing. It’s actually why I gave up on dry-fitting plastic pans after my first bathroom reno. Even the smallest dip or bump under there, and you’ll get that annoying noise every time someone steps in. I tried shimming one once—total waste of time. It held up for maybe a month before the squeak came back, and honestly, it drove me nuts.
Mortar bed is the way to go if you want peace and quiet (and your floor to feel solid). Here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Dry-fit your pan first to check for any big gaps or weird spots.
2. Mix up a batch of mortar (I usually go with something eco-friendly, like a low-VOC setting bed).
3. Trowel it out evenly over the subfloor, focusing on the edges and any low spots.
4. Set the pan in place, give it a little wiggle to seat it, then put some weight on top while it cures—bags of sand or even just standing on it for a bit works.
The difference is night and day. No more squeaks, and the pan just feels more like part of the house instead of something floating on top.
I get why people try to skip the mortar step (less mess, faster install), but honestly, I’ve never seen a dry-fit plastic pan stay totally quiet for more than a year or two. Maybe if your floor is laser-level perfect...but whose is? I’ve heard some folks have luck with those foam support kits, but I haven’t tried them myself.
If you’re worried about eco impact, there are greener mortar options out there now. And you use way less than with a full tile base install, so it’s not a huge environmental hit.
Honestly, for hassle-free installs, plastic pans are easier than building a full tile-ready base from scratch—but only if you take the extra step with mortar. Otherwise, you’re just trading one headache for another (squeaks instead of leaks).
Stick with it. That extra effort pays off every single morning when you step in and don’t hear a thing.
I get why people try to skip the mortar step (less mess, faster install), but honestly, I’ve never seen a dry-fit plastic pan stay totally quiet for more than a year or two.
That “squeaks instead of leaks” line really hits home. I did a plastic pan last year and skipped the mortar because I thought the subfloor was flat enough—nope. Now it creaks every time I step in, and it’s driving my partner nuts. I’m curious, though: has anyone tried those foam support kits under a plastic pan? Do they actually stop the noise, or is it just another gimmick? I’d rather not rip everything out if there’s a fix...
Tried the foam kits once in a rental after a tenant complained about creaking. Honestly, it helped a bit, but didn’t totally solve it. The pan still had some give, just less noise. If you’re hoping for dead silence, it’s probably not gonna cut it. In hindsight, I should’ve just done the mortar bed—learned that lesson the hard way. If you can live with “less annoying” instead of “fixed,” foam might buy you some time.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. Foam kits sound like a quick fix, but they’re really just that—temporary relief. I tried one under a plastic base in my own place, and while it dulled the squeaks, the flex was still there. Mortar’s messier and takes more time, but honestly, it’s the only thing that’s ever made a shower pan feel rock solid for me. Still, if you’re in a pinch or just need to quiet things down for a bit, foam isn’t the worst option. Sometimes “good enough” is all you need, especially in rentals.