First, your P-trap should be located directly below the center of your shower and close to your shower drain. Apply first layer of waterproofing membrane with a roller. Place the built-in set. Make the slot about a foot wide and extend it just beyond the new drain location. Pull any nails that fall within the cutting lines. Connecting a trap to a vertical drain with a wye fitting and a 45-degree elbow seems like a good idea. This will be for your P trap. For this step you want the pieces temporarily fitted together fully with no glue. 5.) This will result in the need to step up about 6 inches to … Watertight installation . First, and most importantly, the trap provides a watertight seal to prevent sewer gases from passing from the sewer system through to the inside of the home. Install a connecting fitting to the shower drain. To make a shower trap, you need to take out part of the pipe that is directly below the drain of the shower. You might also consider pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain after each shower to eat away at any debris in the pipe. copper pipe). It traps debris that has drained from the sink and prevents it from forming a clog deep within the plumbing system, and to stops sewer gases from passing into the home. Cut the existing drain line that you want to connect the shower drain to by using a hack saw or power saber saw with a fine tooth blade. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then examine the drain for any screws you need to remove and take them out if you find any. The pipes connect to a shower valve that controls the temperature and flow of water to the shower head. Thread the mounting nut onto the tailpiece and tighten it down with channel-lock pliers. Shower Drain Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: Drain cover finished in chrome | nickel | brass. Tom Dennis has been writing technical as well as faith-related articles and curriculum since 2008. Shower Traps Prevent Sewer Gases. Your email address will not be published. Cut a 12-inch section of ABS pipe. The drain should be level so that the tiles against its perimeter can be installed flush to it. If your drain is still not clearing the water, you may need to try using a longer drain snake or calling a plumber. Allow the glued joints to dry overnight and run shower to test for leaks. In construction that is less than 30 years old, these pipes are usually copper. A shower p-trap and drain will be either 1 1/2- or 2-inch diameter pipe. You may find it helpful to have someone help you do this by holding parts or measuring. Shower drains are susceptible to clogging from hair, which collects around the strainer and in the curve of the trap and in turn collects other debris. How to Plumb a Shower Drain to Avoid Sewer Gases. Dennis holds a Master of Religious Education degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. Fairly simple drain system. If the pipe installed in your shower is solid, you can use the hacksaw in cutting out a section. Your email address will not be published. Place your bathroom tiles. Just remember, the longer the distance from the shower drain to the P-trap, the more your drains will stink your bathroom up. Once plumbing passes inspection, the concrete is patched. Put the shower pan on the base again, but don't attach it. The zero clearance shower drain is installed on top of a shower pan liner. Put the rubber sealing washer and cardboard friction washer over the drain assembly tailpiece from under the shower base. Paintable Waterproofing Method Insert and screw in shower floor drain kit outer flange. After marking, disassemble the pieces except for the rubber coupling connection and the PVC connecting drain fitting on the shower. Every plumbing fixture has a p-trap, which serves multiple purposes. Wrap up of the adapters. Using a cloth or by wearing gloves, remove any burrs from the PVC pipe ends. 1 drain: $55.66: $68.42: Shower Drain Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install shower drain with favorable site conditions. Mark and measure. Measure from the pipe stop to the top of the rubber seal in the drain assembly. A shower P – trap is located beneath the shower drain hole. Apply PVC primer to the outside ends of the pipe pieces and also to the inside hubs of the p-trap, shower adapter and any fittings used to make directional changes. The shower pan liner is set on a slight slope. Check the manufacturer’s installation instructions and see what they recommend in case the use of mortar is discouraged. Calculate the height of the shower drain . Sewer gases not only smell bad, especially if they invade your … To plumb the drain for the tub, dry-fit a 2-inch trap onto a length of 2-inch pipe that is longer than it needs to be. 3.) Put a hair trap in the shower drain, and clean it regularly. Learn how to install a shower drain with these easy steps. Creating room for the drain slope, as well as for a P-trap installed in the drain line beneath the shower, necessitates using an elevated shower base. In the picture below, the shower pan liner is folded back while new plumbing connections are made. Below is a step by step guide on how to install a shower drain. Insert the pipe into the fittings; reassemble all the pieces being careful to line up the alignment marks and gluing the fittings and pipe together. He has been a licensed plumber for more than 30 years with much experience in home projects. Yes, shower and tub drains require a trap in the plumbing to prevent harmful sewer gases from coming into the home. Access to the P – trap is the key element in the process. Place support at least every 4 linear feet. Install the ABS floor and shower drain on the floor and screw it into place. It may be one solid piece of pipe or it may be an extension pipe attached to a J-bend pipe to form a ” P .” P – traps are removed using the same process in either case. Remove the gasket before the shower base is set. Hold the p-trap in place where it will rest when you are finished, and measure the length of PVC pipes you will need to connect the drain and p-trap to the shower. You may have to use PVC elbow fittings to make any directional changes in the drain to line up the p-trap properly with the shower drain outlet. Tip. You should locate the p-trap directly under the outlet of the shower. You probably don’t think about your shower drain very much unless it gets clogged with hair or has a piece that breaks off. This is necessary because a shower drain must have a P-trap beneath the shower that connects the drain to the drainpipe. How-to install a shower drain in 10 steps Choose the location. Includes fittings to connect to ABS or cast iron drain line. Set the Shower Base in place so that the Drain Body drops down around the Drain Pipe. You can use the pipe wrench to do it. In this video I am showing shower drain installation ( when using pan-liner and tiling shower floor) and p-trap installation. Hand-tighten Drain Nut, and then tighten the rest of the way (about 1/2 turn) with a wrench. Apply a bead of silicone caulk around the top flange of the shower drain opening, then insert the drain assembly into the opening. The P-trap is two pieces: A U-shaped piece fitted to a shorter, 90 degree bend called a street elbow, or a street 90. A shower drain can get dirty or clogged with hair and sediment, causing your shower fill with water. Cut the pipe pieces using a hack saw. It is always the first step before beginning any plumbing procedure. It may be one solid piece of pipe or it may be an extension pipe attached to a J-bend pipe to form a ” P .” P – traps are removed using the same process in either case. It stops water from leaking beyond the drain and keeps your shower free of mold and mildew. Before you try to remove a shower drain, wipe it dry with a towel, then spray it with a lubricant like WD-40 or a silicone drain lubricant. Shower and bathtub drain pipes must incorporate a P-trap; otherwise the health and safety of anyone in the building will be jeopardized by sewer gases entering the building. Lift the shower pan off the base one … Where should shower P-trap be located? Cut the existing drain line that you want to connect the shower drain to by using a hack saw or power saber saw with a fine tooth blade. Access to the P – trap is the key element in the process. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The lower extension should completely fit through the hole and extend into the floor below. If you have to hold your drain lever down for the tub to drain it is more than likely the tension spring on the back of the overflow plate. ABS or PVC drainpipe (adapters are available for 1-1/2-in. You can't always clear a hair clog with a plunger because hair tends to cling, and if you can't remove the strainer, an auger isn't an option. Create a sloped floor. As water drains down the steep slope at the wye, it can create a siphon effect such that water will be sucked out of the trap. Here’s the longer answer: Your shower and toilet most likely share a drain line and a vent stack (this setup is called wet venting, more on that later). Baking soda is a fine preventative; drop a ½ cup of baking soda down the shower drain each night, and chase it with a cup of hot water. Find a compartment. Alternatively, you could be installing a new shower and need to add a drain. Yes, shower and tub drains require a trap in the plumbing to prevent harmful sewer gases from coming into the home. Connect the PVC pipe to the existing drain pipe by the rubber coupling and tighten the bands turning the screws clockwise using either a flat screwdriver or 5/16-inch socket. To allow adequate drainage from the shower to an up-flush system, the shower must be elevated. Prime and dry timber or fabricated concrete base. Allow for proper ventilation while using PVC primer and cement. If either the line or the stack has a clog or blockage, air is forced either up or down your toilet , making the gurgling noise you’re hearing. The pipe stop is the ridge inside the lip of the P-trap opening that prevents a pipe from going any father. Put the new shower base aside and draw an access slot on the subfloor, roughing in the new P-trap and drain line. Determine the type of connection you have and install the PVC adapter for that connection: threaded, use a female adapter; solvent, glue the pipe directly into shower drain; caulking, push the pipe into drain and slide the doughnut shaped gasket around the pipe; and tubular, use a tubular adapter with compression gasket and nut. How To Install A Shower Drain. Another purpose of a trap is to collect sediment before it passes through and into the sewer. Keep the edges of the slot over the center of the joists wherever you can to make patching easier later. Tip. How to Connect a Shower Drain to an Existing Drain, How to Connect a Laundry Sink & Washing Machine to the Same Drain, How to Connect a PVC Sewer Line to a Tile Sewer Line, Family Handyman: Plumb & Install a Shower Base, This Old House: How to Replace a Bathtub Drum Trap, How to Repair Broken Two Inch Plastic Pipes in the Spa, How to Solidly Attach a Shower to a P-Trap, Plumbing Fittings That Do Not Require Soldering, How to Install the Piping for a Single Bowl Utility Tub. Replace or repair a mobile home bathtub replace or repair a mobile home bathtub mobile home bathub shower drain kit mobile home bathroom redux my replace or repair a mobile home bathtub Mobile Home Bathub Shower Drain Kit RepairMobile Home Bathub Shower Drain Kit RepairMobile Home Bathub Shower Drain Kit RepairHow To Replace A Bathtub… Read More » Insert your inner flange using glue and apply your final layer to seal the flange kit into the waterproofing . Sewer gases will come up through shower drain pipes because the gas is lighter than air. If the leak is from a glued pipe joint, make sure the outside of the pipe is very dry and apply a couple of thick coats of PVC cement all the way around the outside of the connecting seam. and 2-in. Prepare your work area. It is adhered to the subfloor using thin set mortar. The water supply for a shower arrives via two pipes: hot and cold. This project is easy to complete and you only need a few supplies such as screwdrivers, caulk, an application gun, and a utility knife. Place a thick coat of PVC cement over the ends of the pipe and on the inside of the fitting hubs. Study the directions for the tub to determine precisely where the trap should be located. So, if you are converting from a tub and shower combination to a shower , you’ll likely have to change the drain pipe size. Use thread sealant on all pipe threads and tighten nuts with water-pump pliers or a pipe wrench by turning clockwise. Homeowners who install their P-traps too far away from the drain may experience more odors than what’s normal. Use small nails to attach hooks or strap to the house framing. But it’s not. Remove the strainer, drain body, and old caulk and then apply the new caulk. Drill holes. A 2 – inch pipe is the recommended size because showers have a low threshold for flooding, and a 2 – inch pipe helps the water drain faster than does a 1 1/ 2 – inch pipe. The basement shower rough-in features a small square where the contractor did not pour concrete but, instead, covered the plumbing stub with sand. The standard slope required on a water drainage pipe is 1/4 inch per linear foot of pipe. If you have a leaky shower drain and don’t want to cut open a finished ceiling to get at it from below, consider using a special drain such as the WingTite Drain, which can be installed from above if the drain is in a plastic or fiberglass shower base.This drain has an O-ring that seals to a typical 2-in. Adding a fresh new shower drain will make a lot of difference. Slide Rubber Washer and Slip Washer around the Drain Body from the bottom side and thread the Drain Nut onto the Drain Body. Assemble all the PVC pipe, fittings and p-trap pieces by a dry fit without PVC cement so that the trap is connected to the shower. It could be an issue with your septic tank backing up. Make sure that a 12-inch section of straight piping is made, coming from the drain. To start installing a shower head faucet, you need to get to plumbing behind the wall. Use a marking pen to place alignment marks on all fitting and pipe connecting points. Fit a 2-inch PVC all-glue P-trap to the shower drain piping without any primer or glue; rotate the P-trap until the street 90-degree elbow lines up with the 2-inch drain waste piping. Dry-fit and check that the horizontal pipe slopes correctly. 4.) Support the pipe and fittings with pipe support hooks or plumber's strap. If the drain is in the center of the floor, you’ll have a relatively level space around the drain to stand on. Rough plumbing bathroom violetdecor co venting plumbing fixtures and traps 21 parts of a bathroom shower what is a drain stack in plumbing quora plumbing for a separate shower and tub How To Plumb A Shower Drain Diagram MycoffeepotRough In Plumbing Bathroom Evandecorating CoRough Plumbing Bathroom Violetdecor CoBuilding SHow To Plumb A Bathroom With Multiple… Even though a shower drain is a relatively small plumbing part, it’s an important one that may need replacing when you own a home. Find that super handy resealable bag with your cover and screws and replace your shower drain trap. A shower P – trap is located beneath the shower drain hole. Most installers recommend putting a bed of mortar down for the shower base to sit on. Be sure to cut the pipe square. Remove plastic burrs with sandpaper. A P – trap is a plumbing fixture that has several purposes. Required fields are marked *, Plumbing stoppage & drain maintenance notice. Here are a few bathtub drain schematics and bathtub plumbing diagrams. If you see water dripping from a threaded connection, take that connection apart and apply a thick coat of plumber's thread sealant to the threads and gaskets. How to Install the Shower Faucet Turn off the water supply. Caulk around a shower drain keeps the drain working properly. Install the handle. Install an Extender Pipe to the Drain Assembly . That’s it. The shower drain has to be at the lowest point of the shower floor, and so the floor has to slope down toward the drain from all directions. Hold the trap-and-pipe assembly in place and mark it for a cut. And the empty trap … Connect to drainage pipe. After the shower base is set, lubricate the gasket with plumber’s soap and slide it into place between the drain body and the pipe… Also, it is useful to perform periodic drain flushes. Insert a measuring tape into the hole in the shower drain assembly until it reaches the pipe stop inside the P-trap opening. There are basically four different types of possible connections; threaded, solvent, rubber caulking or tubular compression. This string helps to fill any loose spots in the old threads. When connecting to old threaded fitting, in addition using to pipe dope, wrap a few windings of candle wick string around the threads. Use a cloth or file to remove any burrs from the cut end of the pipe. Place a rubber coupling with stainless steel compression bands on the existing drain and slide it on about half the length of the coupling. In most homes, there is a P – trap installed under the sinks in the bathroom and kitchens. Support hooks or plumber 's strap fitting hubs place and mark it for a shower drain must have P-trap... The rubber seal in the plumbing to prevent harmful sewer gases from coming into the hole the! 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