Shower base system and installation method thereof

Abstract

A shower base system and installation method thereof. The system includes a shower base with an integrally formed tapered standing sidewall corresponding to each existing structural wall against which the base is installed, and a waterproof membrane covering and extending upwardly along the structural wall from a bottom point at least partially covering the standing sidewall. The system can be installed with the sidewall directly abutting drywall or other outer surface of the structural wall, covered in turn by the membrane with tiling applied thereon, or, alternatively, with the sidewall directly abutting a bottom plate and studs or timbers of the structural wall, with drywall installed over the sidewall and the membrane covering the drywall, and tiling applied on the membrane.

1 . A shower base system installed against at least one existing structural wall, the system comprising;
 a shower base comprising a horizontal top floor surface and at least one standing sidewall corresponding to each existing structural wall; and   a waterproof membrane installed prior to any final outer surface material.   
     
     
         2 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one standing sidewall is integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the shower base. 
     
     
         3 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one standing sidewall is tapered in profile from a bottom to a top thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shower base and, commensurately, at least one standing sidewall, being integrally formed therewith, comprise a composite polyurethane material or other suitably flexible, waterproof material. 
     
     
         5 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when the system is applied against two or more contiguous existing structural walls, corresponding contiguous standing sidewalls are confluent at a seamless integrally formed corner. 
     
     
         6 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one standing sidewall is of a height sufficient to prevent water rising by capillary action from migrating into the surrounding structures. 
     
     
         7 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof membrane is applied from the horizontal top floor surface of the shower base and continues upwardly along each standing sidewall and upwardly along the corresponding structural wall. 
     
     
         8 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof membrane is applied from a position partway up each standing sidewall and upwardly along the corresponding structural wall. 
     
     
         9 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof membrane comprises a bitumen-like skin with embedded texturing, applied with adhesive and enhanced by priming the surface to be covered. 
     
     
         10 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waterproof membrane extends upwardly to the top of the shower enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shower base is installed directly abutting drywall or other outer surface of an existing structural wall, the waterproof membrane is applied from a position partway up each corresponding standing sidewall and upwardly along the existing structural wall, adhering intimately to the standing sidewall and drywall or other outer surface of the existing structural wall, and tile or other outer finished material is installed covering the membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The shower base system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shower base is installed directly abutting a bottom plate and studs or timbers of an existing structural wall, with drywall or other outer surface of the structural wall installed over the corresponding standing sidewall, the waterproof membrane is applied from the horizontal top floor surface of the shower base and continues upwardly along the structural wall, adhering intimately to the horizontal top floor surface and drywall or other outer surface of the existing structural wall, and tile or other outer finished material is installed covering the membrane. 
     
     
         13 . An installation method of a shower base system against at least one existing structural wall, the method comprising;
 installing a shower base comprising a horizontal top floor surface and at least one standing sidewall corresponding to each existing structural wall; and   installing a waterproof membrane prior to any final outer surface material.   
     
     
         14 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one standing sidewall is integrally formed with and substantially perpendicular to the shower base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one standing sidewall is tapered in profile from a bottom to a top thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the shower base and, commensurately, at least one standing sidewall, being integrally formed therewith, comprise a composite polyurethane material or other suitably flexible, waterproof material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein when the system is installed against two or more contiguous existing structural walls, corresponding contiguous standing sidewalls are confluent at a seamless integrally formed corner. 
     
     
         18 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one standing sidewall is of a height sufficient to prevent water rising by capillary action from migrating into the surrounding structures. 
     
     
         19 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof membrane is installed from the horizontal top floor surface of the shower base and continues upwardly along each standing sidewall and upwardly along the corresponding structural wall. 
     
     
         20 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof membrane is installed from a position partway up each standing sidewall and upwardly along the corresponding structural wall. 
     
     
         21 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof membrane comprises a bitumen-like skin with embedded texturing, applied with adhesive and enhanced by priming the surface to be covered. 
     
     
         22 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the waterproof membrane extends upwardly to the top of the shower enclosure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the shower base is installed directly abutting drywall or other outer surface of an existing structural wall, the waterproof membrane is installed from a position partway up each corresponding standing sidewall and upwardly along the existing structural wall, adhering intimately to the standing sidewall and drywall or other outer surface of the existing structural wall, and tile or other outer finished material is installed covering the membrane. 
     
     
         24 . The method of installing a shower base system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the shower base is installed directly abutting a bottom plate and studs or timbers of an existing structural wall, with drywall or other outer surface of the structural wall installed over the corresponding standing sidewall, the waterproof membrane is installed from the horizontal top floor surface of the shower base and continues upwardly along the structural wall, adhering intimately to the horizontal top floor surface and drywall or other outer surface of the existing structural wall, and tile or other outer finished material is installed covering the membrane.