Product and use
Q: Can shower walls be used with a steam shower?
A: Yes. Our shower kits can be used in steam showers, though we recommend temperatures do not exceed 115°F. Above that temperature the material can deform.
Q: Can pan bases be used with heated floors or a radiant heat system?
A: We do not recommend installing over a heating element. While this is common with regular tiled floors, heat transfer through the thickness and material of our pan bases is minimal, so the heating effect is significantly reduced.
Q: What is the weight limit for the pan base?
A: Our base material withstands compression up to 115 lbs per square inch when fully supported by a substrate. To put that in perspective, breaking it would require a person weighing roughly 8,280 pounds standing on one foot. That rating depends on the base being fully supported underneath, which is why a solid, properly prepped substrate and a full bed of thin-set matter. A base bridging a hollow area is not supported across its full footprint and will not perform to this rating.
Q: Are your bases slip-resistant? What is the slip-resistance rating?
A: Safety is a top priority for us. Our pan bases have been tested for slip resistance and have a Wet DCOF (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) rating of 0.55, which meets or exceeds industry standards for wet environments. To give a sense of what that means, it is similar to the grip of rubber on wet cement — very secure and unlikely to slip under normal use.
Q: What is the drainage flow rate?
A: Our pan bases are pre-sloped to drain at a standard 2.5 gallons per minute. If water is not draining sufficiently, we recommend a low-flow shower head. Note also that the outer 2 inches of the base perimeter are flat by design — water resting in that band is normal and is not a drainage fault.
Installation
Q: Can I install the pan base over a tile floor?
A: We recommend against it. We have no way to know the condition of the existing tile setting, the materials used, or the strength of the current tile or grout — older tile may come loose. Install our pan bases on a solid subfloor of concrete or plywood that is level and properly prepped. If the subfloor is not level, use shims and thin-set to create a level bed before setting the base.
Q: Can I use tile to cover the pan base?
A: Our pan bases are designed as a finished product and do not need to be tiled over. The pan is pre-sloped, so tiling over it can impact drainage. We also cannot guarantee tile will adhere to the surface because of the coating on the base.
Q: What is the maximum threshold (sill) requirement for a shower door?
A: Our pan bases support shower door frames with a requirement of up to 3 inches. Dual sliding doors, also called double bypass doors, are approved. There will be a small gap of about 1mm between the base and the door, which can be filled with waterproof silicone sealant.
Q: Can I use a shower curtain?
A: Yes. Glass shower doors are common with low-profile pan bases, but shower curtains work as well. If using a curtain, we recommend a longer curtain with tabs, or installing a shower dam accessory, to minimize water splashing out.
Q: Can I drill into the wall panels or pan base?
A: Yes. Our composite stone shower walls are engineered to accommodate mounting and installation options that require drilling, such as shower doors and accessories. Always pre-drill using a diamond tip or masonry drill bit, and keep holes no closer than 1/4 inch from any edge to avoid splitting, cracking, or chipping. When fastening a flange, pre-drill both the flange and the base before driving the screw. For load-bearing accessories, anchor to a stud or subfloor — our walls and bases are not load-bearing.
Q: Can I trim wall panels?
A: Yes. Our composite stone shower walls are engineered for trimming and cutting to adjust for various shower designs and spaces, including windows and niches. Use a diamond-blade tile saw, or a circular saw with a tile or fine-tooth blade. The blade matters more than the tool — a coarse or general-purpose blade will chip the finished surface. Support the panel fully across its length, apply painter’s tape over the cut line, and trim with the finished side facing upwards. Trimming videos are available on our support page at Castico-Tx.com.
Q: Can I trim the pan base?
A: Yes, up to 1.5 inches on each side. Cut non-exposed, inward-facing edges where possible.
Q: Can I cut more than 1.5 inches off the base?
A: No. Anything over 1.5 inches cuts into the sloped area of the pan base and will affect drainage performance. Wall panels can be cut more freely to fit a space, but the 1.5 inch limit on bases is fixed.
Q: Can I cut close to the drain?
A: Expect some chipping in that area. Keep the cut inside the diameter of the metal drain cover so any chipping stays concealed once the cover is installed.
Cleaning and care
Q: How do I clean my shower?
A: Use a non-abrasive foaming tile cleaner with a microfiber cloth. For tougher spots on the base, a nylon brush is fine. Avoid any cleaner containing hard minerals or grit — those clean by scraping and will scratch the surface over time.
Q: Can I use bleach?
A: No. Bleach — including Clorox and other bleach-based bathroom cleaners — causes wall panels to develop a purple tint. The discoloration is permanent and cannot be cleaned, buffed, repaired, or refinished, and it is not covered under warranty. Many bathroom cleaners contain bleach without saying so prominently. If a product lists sodium hypochlorite, it contains bleach.
Q: Do I need to seal my base?
A: We recommend sealing every base regardless of color, because it makes the surface easier to keep clean. On any color other than white, sealing also makes the color look richer and more vibrant — most noticeably on graphite. Sealing is not about waterproofing or durability. The material is non-porous and does not need to be sealed to perform.
Product condition and defects
Q: My panel or base looks warped. Is it still usable?
A: Our tolerance is 1/8 inch in all dimensions. Measure with the piece lying flat on the floor, design side up — not on sawhorses or supported at the ends, since a piece held off the ground flexes under its own weight and reads far worse than it is. Place the level across the width for panels, or around the perimeter for bases. If it measures within 1/8 inch, it can be installed. If it measures over, lay it flat for one to two days with a 1/8 inch spacer under the high corners, then apply hand pressure. If it flattens, it can be installed using thin-set rather than adhesive. If it will not flatten, it should not be installed.
Q: Water is pooling in my base. What should I check?
A: Three things, in order. First, where the shower head is pointed — it should aim at the center of the base or slightly toward the drain. Second, where the water is sitting — the outer 2 inches are flat by design. Third, whether the perimeter is level, measured around the top edge on all four sides and at the drain rather than across the middle, which carries the slope.
Purchasing and service
Q: Can I get replacements for missing or broken items purchased through a reseller, third party, or unauthorized retailer?
A: Items sold through third-party vendors or unauthorized retailers are generally sold as-is. Missing items will need to be purchased directly through us, or the customer can contact their place of purchase for available options. Most accessory items can be purchased online at Castico-tx.com.
Q: Do you provide installation?
A: CASTICO does not provide direct installation services. We maintain a list of experienced contractors who have worked with our products — search by zip code at https://castico-tx.com/castico-remodeler-referral/ . Our products are DIY friendly, and installation videos are available on our website.