Hi

I'm installing a new shower base that came with a self caulking drain (has a rubber caulking ring that tightens round the 2" waste pipe). When the shower base is in position the drain is ever so slightly off center and I can't get the rubber ring over the waste pipe. The drain is set in concrete and can't be moved so I'm figuring I'm going to ditch the rubber caulking ring and tighening nut and just apply silicone in the space between pvc pipe and drain flange. Does that sound OK?

Thanks,

A

hi

i'm installing a new shower base that came with a self caulking drain (has a rubber caulking ring that tightens round the 2" waste pipe). when the shower base is in position the drain is ever so slightly off center and i can't get the rubber ring over the waste pipe. the drain is set in concrete and can't be moved so i'm figuring i'm going to ditch the rubber caulking ring and tighening nut and just apply silicone in the space between pvc pipe and drain flange. does that sound OK?

thanks,

a

Good morning Andy,

If I couldn't move the stub-up a little then I would certainly try to move the base, even if I had to shave something to do it. That "rubber ring" is a compression "O" ring and I sure couldn't guarantee that silicone jel would replace it. I would make the original set up work if I could. Good luck, Tom

Thanks for your reply tom. The waste pipe is rock solid so I followed your advice and shaved a bit off the cement lip by the threshold of the shower base (base is installed on the concrete slab which is lower than the tile installation that has been laid on a poured concrete floor on top of the slab, if that makes any sense!). Anyway, gave me a little more play and with some soap and elbow grease I managed to get the rubber ring over the pvc pipe, flush with the top of the pipe. Tightened the caulking nut as much as I could, which wasn't many turns, but it's very tight. However, it squished out a tiny part of the rubber ring over the top of the pipe and the caulking nut isn't level, almost as if it misthread. I undid and tried a couple more times, but the same each time. Doesn't seem quite right, so was thinking I should also add a bead of silicone around where the pvc pipe and caulking nut meet...
By the way, this is a basment installation, so not sure how I'll ever know if the seal isn't 100%...
Thanks,

Andy