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    beedoy's Avatar
    beedoy Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 29, 2007, 10:17 AM
    Replacing drain in a tile shower
    My 50 year old tile shower drain has a lead pipe leading to the waste stack. The lead pipe has corroded at the base of the drain and is leaking.

    I chipped away the tile around the drain and see that there is a 2.5 inch diameter hole going through the shower mortar base leading into the lead pipe.

    Can I simply cut off a section of the lead pipe between the drain and stack and replace the drain and a short section of PVC or iron pipe with J trap and then patch into the lead pipe leading to the stack? Can I just put some new mortar around the new drain? Or is it time for me to pull out the checkbook and call a professional?

    Thanks!
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 29, 2007, 02:21 PM
    That is probably a cast iron pipe, not lead. Sounds like you can get at everything from below in the basement. You can cut the pipe near the stack. You can purchase a neopreme collar with two screw clamps made to join dis-similar pipes.

    Here is the rub. You should not have just a 2.5 in. hole in the floor of the shower. There should be a drain that fits into the hole with a gaskets, slip gasket and nut from the underside. Go to the store and have the clerk show you a shower drain. This might be the source of your leak to begin with.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Jan 29, 2007, 05:20 PM
    I take it that 2 1/2" hole is after you've removed the drain. You can cut the raiser off a inch or so next to the trap and extend a PVC pipe up using a N0-Hub Clamp, (see image). You may then install a drain and mortar and tile it in. Good luck, Tom
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
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    #4

    Jan 29, 2007, 07:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ballengerb1
    That is probably a cast iron pipe, not lead. Sounds like you can get at everything from below in the basement. You can cut the pipe near the stack. You can purchase a neopreme collar with two screw clamps made to join dis-similar pipes.
    Lead drainage piping isn't all that uncommon in my neck of the woods.
    iamgrowler's Avatar
    iamgrowler Posts: 1,421, Reputation: 110
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    #5

    Jan 29, 2007, 07:14 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by beedoy
    My 50 year old tile shower drain has a lead pipe leading to the waste stack. The lead pipe has corroded at the base of the drain and is leaking.

    I chipped away the tile around the drain and see that there is a 2.5 inch diameter hole going through the shower mortar base leading into the lead pipe.

    Can I simply cut off a section of the lead pipe between the drain and stack and replace the drain and a short section of PVC or iron pipe with J trap and then patch into the lead pipe leading to the stack? Can I just put some new mortar around the new drain? Or is it time for me to pull out the checkbook and call a professional?

    Thanks!
    Frankly, I'd have the lead replaced altogether, if it's in your budget to do so.

    A competent plumber should be able to run a new line in PVC from the main stack to the shower drain easily enough-- If everything is easily accessible from underneath.

    Where the drain and trap-arm tie into a vent is another question.

    Can you post any pictures?
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