Box around a shower drain in concrete, what do I do with it?

rick42wood

I am installing a new shower pan on a concrete floor. When I had the floor poured to fill in the places I had to jackhammer to move the plumbing around I was advised to put a 6"x6" hole in the concrete around the pipe that is for the shower drain. I am ready to install the shower base now. My question is, what do I do with the "box" around the drain pipe? Should I fill it with sand, insulation, or leave it empty?

majakdragon

Your choice as long as it isn't in your way. I would use the insulation idea.

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rick42wood

Thanks for your reply, I,ll stuff it with insulation.
Would the drain fitting normally be attached to the shower pan first and then dropped onto the pipe? The pan instructions suggest spraying expanding foam insulation under the pan and then filling it with water after leveling. This is a lot to get done before the expanding foam sets up. Any suggestions?

Scuba_Dave

Fiberglass will hold any water/humidity/condensation

I'd use something else

rick42wood

Good point, I'll stuff it with styrofoam packing.

majakdragon

I am guessing the pan is plastic or fiberglass and the spray foam is serving as a mortarbed. I prefer premixed mortar from a bucket. The foam can depress and will not go back up when/if the pan moves up and down. This can allow for cracking later. There are a few different types of drain connectors including the one you slip over the pipe after the pan is set.

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