Over 698,000 strictly plumbing related posts
Plumbing education, information, advice, help and suggestions are provided by some of the most experienced plumbers who wish to "give back" to society. Since 1996 we have been the best online (strictly) PLUMBING advice site. If you have questions about plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, drains, sewers, water filters, venting, water heating, showers, pumps, and other strictly PLUMBING related issues then you've come to the right place. Please refrain from asking or discussing legal questions, or pricing, or where to purchase products, or any business issues, or for contractor referrals, or any other questions or issues not specifically related to plumbing. Keep all posts positive and absolutely no advertising. Our site is completely free, without ads or pop-ups and we don't tract you. We absolutely do not sell your personal information. We are made possible by:
Author:
srloren (CA)
I have a precast shower pan that is installed in an upstairs bath, over the garage but difficult to get to due to a Water heater that is right smack in the way. The drywall was wet and is now removed. My problem is to prevent the leak at the abs shower trap riser, it looks like it was installed by pouring ABS Glue around it. It is too wide of a gap for the regular gasket that they use for these drains. I have been able to slip just the tip of a sharp flat screw driver next to the pipe and also next to the drain which is metal. I do not know if the shower drain is attached with a nut under the pan, but I suspect so. I do not want to replace the pre-cast shower base, shower doors etc. Years back we would put oakum and caulk up a lead joint around the ABS but I don't trust this method. When I get inside the tub and try to shake the floor by moving suddenly pushing on my feet, I can see down inside the trap that the water moves a bit. So the entire upstairs is moving maybe a 32nd of an inch by this quick motion with my body weight. However the pan does not seem to flex up and down when I jump inside of it. Apologize for all the detail but just trying to give as much info as possible. How would you guys attempt a repair on this job?
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
what do you mean by 'precast'?
is it a terrazzo cast heavy base?
if so then the drain is forced together from top and bottom. it can not be removed.
if the rubber donut type gasket is too small, can you use one meant for 2 inch soil pipe hub?
will have to modify it but grease up and bashed into the drain, it won't leak.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
srloren (CA)
I have seen a site that sells two thicknesses, I sent them a request for more details and have not heard from them. The pipe is abs which is actually 2 3/8" in diameter. But the gap is greater than these gaskets can seal in my opinion. Can you furnish the web site where I can get more info about your suggestion. I would appreciate your efforts very much.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
steve (CA)
Does the drain assembly use a push gasket like Packy shows or is it compression, like the picture?
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
i'm not saying they will fit but they are a little bigger and heavier than the gasket supplied with a shower drain fitting. they might be too big but they are worth a look..
[www.homedepot.com]
this is the search site where I found all kinds of pretty pictures... good luck...
[www.bing.com]
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
steve, if it is an old terrazzo base with a factory installed drain, it was meant for lead and oakum. there are no internal threads to screw a ring down to compress the rubber.
you must remember these?
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
srloren (CA)
Packy it is a fiber glass pan, I suspect it has a nut tightening it to the pan. I was just on Oatey's web site looking at a product called Silicone sealant. They claim it is ok with ABS and metal. Sounds like it would be perfect for my application. I am going to call and speak to a tech support guy on Monday.
Edited 1 times.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
m & m (MD)
The later terrazzo bases used the "no caulk" hub style gasket such as what Packy shows. Is the drain actually leaking? If not, I would leave it alone.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
srloren (CA)
Yes it is leaking when they shower. Thanks
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
OK, so is it leaking aroung the existing gasket or between the flange and fiberglass base (bad putty joint) ?
can you see from below?
sorry about the confusion over the term 'precast base'.. i don't think of fiberglass as 'precast'.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
srloren (CA)
Good question. I don't know yet if it is the flange or ther gasket. Like I said earlier, I am suspicious of the gasket because there is a hairline crack next to the pipe and also next to the Drain, in other words on both sides of the material that is in the gap now. I am going to start with sealing the gap and if it still leaks I am going to cut the drain out and replace it with one that you install from the top and tighten the inside nut to compress on a gasket to seal it for good. Thanks for your help Packy.
Edited 1 times.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
i've never seen a shower drain that you install from the top??
you need to get the bottom part of the new drain over the existing pipe.
i'm not even sure the existing drain can be removed with access only from above.
you have to hold back on the big nut below while unscrewing the drain from above or you need to cut the nut in half.
so, you are welcome for any help i can provide and i anxiously await the news of your success..
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
steve (CA)
One of my current jobs is a bathroom that has a clawfoot style tub with the legs removed. The entire floor, tub skirt, deck and 5' of wainscot is terrazzo. The terrazzo was installed a LONG time ago. I've only seen shower pans and stair treads of terrazzo, not walls. They cut down the tops of the floor joists about 1½" to provide a thicker mortar bed below the terrazzo.(sorry for the hijack)
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
m & m (MD)
It's called a Wing-Tite shower drain and sold thru our sponsor. Never had occassion to use one. Yet.
|
Post Reply
|
Author:
packy (MA)
well shut my mouth and call me a sweet potato..
|
Post Reply
|
Please note:
- Inappropriate messages or blatant advertising will be deleted. We cannot be held responsible for bad or inadequate advice.
- Plbg.com has no control over external content that may be linked to from messages posted here. Please follow external links with caution.
- Plbg.com is strictly for the exchange of plumbing related advice and NOT to ask about pricing/costs, nor where to find a product (try Google), nor how to operate or promote a business, nor for ethics (law) and the like questions.
- Plbg.com is also not a place to ask radiant heating (try HeatingHelp.com), electrical or even general construction type questions. We are exclusively for plumbing questions.
Search for plumbing parts on our sponsor's site:
Special thanks to our sponsor:
|