Hi,
I have tracked down a leak coming from my upstairs tub but I'm not sure what the proper way to repair it is. I'm a big DIYer but I know nothing about plumbing.

Here's what I've found:
I cut a peek hole in the ceiling below the tub and found that its leaking at the connection between the tub drain flange and the PVC elbow it connects to. I unscrewed the drain flange from above the tub and inspected the seating of the threaded PVC elbow/rubber ring and underside of the tub. In the spot where I saw the leak, the rubber ring had a little play. Basically, about 2/3 of the ring sat nice and tight but I could wiggle about 1/3 of the ring around where it leaks...

Some questions:
- How should I take care of the fit of the rubber ring? I figure it just needs to be tightned more to compress the ring into sealing but I don't want to crack the PVC in the process.
- Does the fact that it is leaking from the mis-sealed rubber ring show that the flange is not sealed properly - i.e.. Needing teflon tape and better plumbers putty application?
- Should I teflon tape when I screw the flange back in? There wasn't any used when I pulled it out...
- What should I use to seal the flange to the tub - plumbers putty?

Thanks

Hi,
I have tracked down a leak coming from my upstairs tub but I'm not sure what the proper way to repair it is. I'm a big DIYer but I know nothing about plumbing.

Here's what I've found:
I cut a peek hole in the ceiling below the tub and found that its leaking at the connection between the tub drain flange and the PVC elbow it connects to. I unscrewed the drain flange from above the tub and inspected the seating of the threaded PVC elbow/rubber ring and underside of the tub. In the spot where I saw the leak, the rubber ring had a little play. Basically, about 2/3 of the ring sat nice and tight but I could wiggle about 1/3 of the ring around where it leaks...

Some questions:
- How should I take care of the fit of the rubber ring? I figure it just needs to be tightned more to compress the ring into sealing but I don't want to crack the PVC in the process.
- Does the fact that it is leaking from the mis-sealed rubber ring show that the flange is not sealed properly - ie. needing teflon tape and better plumbers putty application?
- Should I teflon tape when I screw the flange back in? There wasn't any used when I pulled it out...
- What should I use to seal the flange to the tub - plumbers putty?

thanks


Hi Buff,

That PVC elbo is called a tub shoe and it sounds li all you need to do is reset and tighten the drain. I have always used plumbers putty for a seal but you may use silicon jel if you wish. I take a pair of pliers and put the handles down into the cross in the drain then I take a screwdriver and put it between the jaws for leverage and crank that sucker down. As there's hardly any pressure we don't teflon tape the threads on the drain. Haven't had one leak on me yet and I've set a lot of tubs. Good luck, Tom