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!

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.

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

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.

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?