Jerry Voight of Austin Countertops was having a couple of problems with his shower pans which were resulting in too many call-backs from customers a few years after installation. Standing water in the pan was a frequent complaint as was water seepage from the front threshold of the pan.

He blamed the first problem on the nature of the construction industry and it’s seeming inability to “get a floor slab straight!” When combined with the frequently uneven pour of the shower pan itself, the problem was magnified. He felt the answer for providing a “perfect” installation in this “imperfect world” was to increase the drain slope of the pan from the wall to the drain. Gruber listened to his advice, and has increased the drainage slope in the 1054 Shower Pan Series to a full 1” to ensure adequate drainage, particularly on an uneven floor base.

The second problem he was encountering was leakage from the front threshold of the shower pan. This phenomenon seemed to be the result of cracks in the silicone that developed over time. To eliminate this problem, Gruber Systems has added a built-in drain boss to the front of the threshold in the 1054 series of pans. This ensures that any water on the surrounding ledge of the threshold cannot get out of the pan. In addition, for extra protection overall, we’ve increased the water dam to 1” above the raised area and 1½” elsewhere.

Jerry also points out the advantage that new technology has brought to newer molds. A lot of weight can be eliminated from finished products without compromising the quality. By cutting down on the amount of matrix needed to produce a part the weight drops dramatically, particularly in larger parts. This reduced weight is much appreciated by his delivery and installation crews, and also places our industry in a more favorable light when builders are selecting among competing materials.

Features of the 1054 Series Shower Pan Molds:

• Raised threshold dam (1” higher) to prevent water spillage
• Steeper drainage angle for improved drainage and easier maintenance
• Textured floor surface
• Four styles from which to choose

• 60” x 32” Left Drain,
• 60” x 32” Right Drain
• 60” x 36” Center Drain
• 60” Neo Angle

EDITOR UPDATE - THREE MORE 1054 SERIES MODELS HAVE SINCE BEEN ADDED TO THE 1054 SERIES. SEE THEM ALL HERE.

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