QA

Question: How To Install A Plastic Shower Drain

How do I install a shower drain with no access from below?

How to install shower drain without access below: Remove the existing shower drain. Measure and cut the assembly parts. Clean the area and pipes. Assemble and install the new drain. Apply a sealant and tighten the shower drain. Clean excessive sealant. Install strainer cover. Conduct a leak test.

What do you put under shower base?

Mortar is recommended to use under all shower pans. Mortar reduces the risk of your pan slipping or cracking from an uneven surface.

Is it better to use silicone or plumbers putty on a shower drain?

For the drain itself, plumber’s putty is the best solution. The material makes waterproof seals with wet surfaces. If you need to seal the drain pipe, though, you’ll want to use silicone. Caulk is important to sealing pipes because it creates watertight seals that don’t wash away.

Do shower drains need to be caulked?

Caulk around a shower drain keeps the drain working properly. It stops water from leaking beyond the drain and keeps your shower free of mold and mildew. This project is easy to complete and you only need a few supplies such as screwdrivers, caulk, an application gun, and a utility knife.

Do I need to seal shower drain?

Properly sealing a shower drain is important to ensure your shower doesn’t leak around the fixture and into the cavity below when the water drains out of it.

How do you remove an old plastic shower drain?

REMOVAL OF EXISTING SHOWER DRAIN BODY Remove drain cover with flat blade screwdriver. Remove the crown nut by unthreading it using needle nose pliers. Extract the compression seal exposing drain pipe and shower drain body. With mini hacksaw, make two vertical cuts approximately 1” apart through drain body.

Is there a trap in a shower drain?

The shower drainage features a piping that has a trap as part of its key components. The trap in the shower drain works like the one beneath the kitchen sink. While the sink trap is P-shaped, you may find some S-shaped shower traps.

How far can P-trap be from shower drain?

The maximum distance between the shower drain and the P-trap is 5 feet. However, the P-trap should be as close to the shower drain inlet as possible. You should even have the P-trap directly under the shower drain for the best results.

Where is the P-trap in a shower?

A shower P-trap is located beneath the shower drain hole. 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. Access to the P-trap is the key element in the process.

How do you hook up a shower drain to an existing drain?

Glue a tee into the shower drain so the outlet is pointed upward. Run the vent pipe in 1 1/2-inch diameter plastic pipe from that tee to connect to either an existing plumbing vent or to a mechanical type vent. Connect the new drain to the shower with a P-trap directly below the shower outlet, says Home Depot.

Do you need to waterproof under a shower base?

DON’T ignore the importance of waterproofing when installing an acrylic shower base. The walls and the area around the top of the acrylic base along the wall are very important for proper waterproofing and it is essential that it be done correctly. In a bathroom, proper waterproofing is non-negotiable.

What’s the difference between a shower base and a shower pan?

What Do They Do? While a shower pan and a shower base both channel water into the drain, there’s one key difference: “Shower pan” is the actual shower floor that you step on, whereas “shower base” refers to the structure underneath the shower itself.

Is it necessary to put mortar under shower base?

If the shower base installation floor is not level, there are two options. The second is to add mortar to the floor to even it out. If sliding shims under the base does not work, opt to install the mortar bed. This is usually a good idea when floors are badly sloped or the use of shims is simply not practical.

Why not use plumbers putty on plastic?

Because The plumber’s putty might attack the chrome plating of the plastic drain. This is why plumbers’ putty is not made to be used on plastic. That’s why you shouldn’t use plumbers putty. Instead, you can use fiberglass resin tape, epoxy, etc.

Why plumbers putty fail?

Most Popular: Plumber’s Putty And like clay, the putty dries and hardens after it is out of its container long enough. A seal made with plumber’s putty may fail down the road if the putty becomes brittle and it cracks apart, allowing water to pass through the seal.

How tight should shower drain be?

The top of the Pipe should be no higher than, and no more than 1/8″ lower than, the top surface of the floor on which the base will be set. Hand-tighten Drain Nut, and then tighten the rest of the way (about 1/2 turn) with a wrench.