Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask

Shower Pan Question

Asked Jan 17, 2011, 12:51 PM — 6 Answers
Can a plastic liner be installed over a lead pan? I try to do a lot of resarch on new building/restoration trends, and I happened to have stumbled upon this blog. I am rebuilding/remodeling a flooded home. Too bad I didn't see this before my "old time" plumber installed the lead pan. He was so proud of giving me a lead shower pan that I don't have the heart to tell him I didn't think it wasn't the best choice. Also, he doesn't take criticism very well and I don't want to insult him. I am trying to find a nice way to tell him I would like to modify what he has done. My question is, can a plastic (PVC or other) liner be installed over a lead pan? We are in the rough-in stage of the plumbing project and he has already done the lead pan. No mud/sand/mortar bed or anything else has been done. Is there anything else that I can have done to improve on the lead pan before we go any further? Thank you.

Search this Thread
Share |
6 Answers
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,879, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#2

Jan 17, 2011, 12:55 PM


Since you are in rough stages of construction, I suggest you take out the old lead and install new pan over clean sub-floor.
Helpful  (1)
rebuildnola's Avatar
rebuildnola Posts: 5, Reputation: 10
Junior Member
  
#3

Jan 17, 2011, 01:13 PM
Comment on Milo Dolezal's post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal View Post
Since you are in rough stages of construction, I suggest you take out the old lead and install new pan over clean sub-floor.
Thank you. However, does the fact that it is a brand new lead pan make a difference?
Helpful
Milo Dolezal's Avatar
Milo Dolezal Posts: 5,879, Reputation: 1933
Plumbing Expert
  
#4

Jan 17, 2011, 02:59 PM


So let me ask you: why do you want to install PVC liner if you have brand new, functional lead pan in place ?

The biggest problem is that I cannot see the way you will seal the PVC liner with drain. Lead pan drain cannot be used for liners. It is completely different system. So you will also have to replace drain to accommodate liner installation. Do it right the first time. You will sleep better. Back to you. Milo
Helpful  (1)
rebuildnola's Avatar
rebuildnola Posts: 5, Reputation: 10
Junior Member
  
#5

Jan 18, 2011, 05:40 AM
Comment on Milo Dolezal's post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal View Post
So let me ask you: why do you want to install PVC liner if you have brand new, functional lead pan in place ?

The biggest problem is that I cannot see the way you will seal the PVC liner with drain. Lead pan drain cannot be used for liners. It is completely different system. So you will also have to replace drain to accommodate liner installation. Do it right the first time. You will sleep better. Back to you. Milo
Plumber is old school and hates to be told that he's wrong. I've had to ask him to redo some things after I researched it that weren't the "best practice" and it's not fun. I will have to ask him to redo or I get another one to do.
Helpful
rebuildnola's Avatar
rebuildnola Posts: 5, Reputation: 10
Junior Member
  
#6

Jan 18, 2011, 05:41 AM
Comment on Milo Dolezal's post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal View Post
So let me ask you: why do you want to install PVC liner if you have brand new, functional lead pan in place ?

The biggest problem is that I cannot see the way you will seal the PVC liner with drain. Lead pan drain cannot be used for liners. It is completely different system. So you will also have to replace drain to accommodate liner installation. Do it right the first time. You will sleep better. Back to you. Milo
Thank you so much for your honesty. I now know what I will have to do and put my game face on to tell him. I am really grateful for your advice.
Helpful
massplumber2008's Avatar
massplumber2008 Posts: 10,556, Reputation: 5092
Plumbing Expert
  
#7

Jan 18, 2011, 09:45 AM


Hi Nola...

If you have a really old time plumber there with like 40-50 years experience under his belt then my guess is that we probably shouldn't be too worried about his work...*shrugs*.

Certainly the newer vinyl shower pans are the latest and greatest but I know of many lead pans that were installed properly and are still doing just fine 40-50 years later!

I guess all I am saying is that some of these older guys really know their stuff and if the plumber is willing to guarantee his work I'm figuring that is all you should really need at this point.

Just another opinion...

Mark
Helpful  (1)
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.

Remove Text Formatting
 

Undo
Redo
  
Decrease Size
Increase Size
Bold
Italic
Underline
Align Left
Align Center
Align Right
Ordered List
Unordered List
Decrease Indent
Increase Indent
Insert Email Link
Wrap [QUOTE] tags around selected text
Wrap [CODE] tags around selected text
Wrap [HTML] tags around selected text
Wrap [PHP] tags around selected text
Wrap [YOUTUBE] tags around selected text
Notification Type:



Check out some similar questions!

Installed the shower pan and forgot to put in the shower drain first...oops! [ 8 Answers ]

I have a 3x5 fiberglass pan installed (built in with framing on top of it) and no way to get the drain attached. Argh. Is there any way to deal with this without ripping out all this work?

Proper shower pan install utilizing exsting basement shower drain [ 6 Answers ]

I am remodeling a basement bathroom. I demo'd the shower and its tile to reveal rotted framing. I believe this is due to an improper or (more likely) not existant shower pan -- there was no water proof membrane between the tile/thinset and the the framing. Can I build a proper shower pan...

My shower drain is raised above the shower pan by 3/16" causing standing water [ 2 Answers ]

I have a fiberglass shower stall where the bottom has either slumped or the stall was installed wrong to begin with (it has no support beneath the surface that I stand on). The drain sticks above the level line so I have about 3/16" of standing water. I cannot easily access the bottom from the...

Shower Pan Question from a Newbie [ 2 Answers ]

I have a shower that is tiled on three sides and has a fiberglass pan. The pan has peeled and has had 2 do it yourself paint jobs from Home Depot kits. It also has two cracks coming out from the drain about 5 inches long. I had a pro out to refinish it and he said that because of the extent of...

Shower Pan Replacement Question [ 1 Answers ]

I am replacing an old shower pan with a fiberglass unit. I believe the old pan is acrylic. There is a large opening in the slab for the trap, approx 12" x 12". There will be no support for the part of the pan that's directly above this cutout. Is the fiberglass shower pan strong enough to not...

View more Plumbing questions Search