Do Showers Have Weight Limits? Maximum Shower Capacity

If you’re worried about breaking your shower tray by exceeding the weight limit, you’re in the right place. Some showers have extremely high weight limits, but they degrade over time. Flooding, water damage, rot, rust, and other problems can drastically lower a shower’s weight capacity.

Showers have weight limits between 350 to 1,000 pounds. Cement bases and stone resin shower trays offer some of the most durable weight capacities, but damaged subflooring can be a serious problem. If your shower tray bends or flexes, there’s a chance the tray needs to be repaired or replaced.

In this article, I’ll explain how much weight your shower can hold, what the strongest shower tray materials are, and what you should do if you think your shower tray is broken or damaged.

How Much Weight Can a Shower Hold?

According to Home Decor Bliss, some showers can hold up to 1,000 pounds. A shower’s weight limit depends on the materials, shape, size, and many other factors. However, they have to be enough to support more than the average person.

The International Residential Code states that all bathrooms need to be able to support at least 40 pounds per square foot. This code is subject to change, but there’s a good chance that it won’t get too much lower. Showers need to be supportive enough to prevent structural damage and unwanted accidents.

Read on if you’re interested in knowing what you should do if your shower tray’s weight limit is exceeded and which materials are the best for new shower trays. Keep in mind that you can also use a shower repair kit with epoxy for small damages.

What Is the Strongest Shower Tray?

The strongest shower tray is cement or stone resin. These materials aren’t too flexible, but they’re incredibly durable and long-lasting. You’ll get the most out of your shower tray by abiding by its weight limit. Most cement shower trays can hold up to 1,000 pounds.

Always check with the shower tray’s manufacturer to know how much weight it can support. All shower trays are unique, regardless of their materials. Keep in mind that the shape and size of the shower tray directly impact its weight limit.

Here are a few other strong shower tray materials to consider:

• Mira Showers recommends using acrylic-capped stone resin shower trays. You’ll get the flexibility of an acrylic shower tray with the long-term durability of a stone resin shower tray. Furthermore, they tend to weigh a little bit less than cement showers.
• Tile shower bases are very common in modern houses and renovations. They look great and can support hundreds of pounds per square inch. It’s important to clean the grout regularly to prevent mold that can weaken the joints. However, if one tile cracks, you can replace it without replacing the whole shower tray.
• Acrylic shower trays are a bit cheaper than tile, stone resin, and concrete. They’re much more flexible than most shower materials, though they don’t last as long. These shower trays come in many shapes and sizes, all of which can be made with custom colors and gripped textures.
• Molded stone shower bases are quite durable, and they don’t require grout (unlike tile shower trays). They are some of the best shower trays because they look great, they last several decades (under proper use), and they can be customized into almost any shape and size.

Unfortunately, fiberglass shower trays aren’t the best option. While they’re quite flexible, they’re prone to mineral deposits, cracks, and warping from constant use. A fiberglass shower tray can usually only hold around 300 to 350 pounds.

What to Do if a Shower Tray Is Bending

If a shower tray is bending, follow these suggestions:

1. Turn off the water supply going to the shower. Some showers have shut-off valves that prevent leaks while you’re working on the shower tray. While you’ll rarely need to access the plumbing when repairing the shower tray, it’s worth the extra step if you have the valve.
2. Chip and seal the tiles (if applicable). If you have a tiled shower tray, all you have to do is crack and remove the tile within the grout. There’s usually no need to remove all of the tiles if the grout is intact and there’s no water damage under the shower tray.
3. Use a shower tray repair kit. The Fortivo Tub Repair Kit can be used on acrylic, fiberglass, and many other shower materials. It includes a two-part epoxy and everything you need to apply the mixture. You can also use it on toilets, tiles around the house, and more.
4. Install plastic shims under the shower to support the weight. The Spruce recommends adding a series of plastic shims under the weakened part of the shower tray. Some raised showers already have shims, so you might only need to replace them if they’re bent or cracked.
5. Replace the shower tray if it’s too damaged. If your shower tray has multiple cracks and there’s water damage under it, you might as well remove and replace the tray. A shower filled with cracks is bound to have more, all of which can invite water damage that gets more expensive as they worsen.

Many shower trays have a little bit of flexibility. Not only is this normal, but it’s a preventative measure to stop cracks and leaks. The light flexibility allows the shower tray to move with the shifting weight of someone standing, walking, and moving around.

However, the tray shouldn’t dip more in one spot than the other. Note that many showers have a small slant near the drain to keep water from puddling in the shower tray. Other than that, the flexibility should be uniform in the middle of the shower or bathtub.

In Conclusion

While showers are some of the most durable parts of your bathroom, they have specific weight limits that can’t be exceeded. If something goes over the shower’s weight limit, the tray will crack and leak water into the subflooring. These expensive repairs can spread and ruin the flooring throughout the bathroom.