I have a concrete slab foundation. I am changing from a skirted tub to a clawfoot tub.

My old tub's drain went directly into a drain hole in the ground. The overflow hole is a separate pipe that goes straight up from the ground to the overflow area of the tub. (I assume they meet below the concrete)

My question is if I can just not use the drain hole that my old tub used and just use the stub that the overflow used to use. I have the drain assembly that looks like an uppercase L.

Pictured here:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=claw+foot+drain&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18033805772382087818&ei=ZHdETMarIcT6lwf77ZDOAg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDYQ8wIwAg#

If I can indeed use something like that and avoid the other hole in the concrete directly below my previous drain on my old tub, how should I block this off to tile over? My concern would be if I ever get a clogged drain and the water is looking for a place to go it would come out of the unused hole.


If that link doesn't work this one should.

Drains & Pipes | fixtureuniverse.com (http://www.fixtureuniverse.com/products/?tid=539&psku=3027908&af=1659)

The existing overflow is exactly the same as you have now. Tub has to have overflow. What is different is that your new tub stands about 4" above finished floor.

Claw feet tubs install differently than conventional tubes. In Claw feet tubs, drain & oveflow assembly is all visible - not buried in concrete floor. Therefore - and if you have to - chip out concrete around existing overflow to expose bottom of the T that connects drain and overflow. Remove it, line up tub, line up drain and install it. ( you may need longer 1 1/2" tubular drain piece... )

Cover the hole with new concrete...

Thank you so much for the answer. I guess my question is in regards to chipping out the concrete. Do I have to do that? Or can I just fill the old tub drain hole with something? I know that the overflow and drain part meet up below the surface... but instead of chipping it all out could I just fill one end of it or cap it or something?

No, you have to chip it out, expose the old Tub & Overflow T, remove it and install new one - including the connecting tubular drain pipe that connects the T and rough trap.

Tub overflow should never be covered with concrete. It is a light gauge material that is designed to be exposed. Also, its joints (nuts and gaskets) have to be accessible...