Hi All!

I'm going to renovate a friends basement bathroom. A new shower will be installed and of course the drain for the old doesn't line up with the new. I've never installed a drain in the basement so I have a few questions.

Is there a way to remove concrete without renting a concrete saw?

There's a stack coming down from the upstairs bathroom that is vented. I suppose the basement bathroom is tied into that vent and drain since the stack is out side the bathroom a few feet . What's the best way to verify this?

If the bathroom isn't vented through this stack, would one of those auto vents be the solution? I just read a couple how to's that mentioned the use of an auto vent. I don't know why a rubber flapper is a vent :)

I'm planning on removing the trap from the old shower and connecting the new drain to the pipe the trap is currently connected to. It's not much of a move but is there a minimum slope I should maintain? Max slope?

It's possible the old drain is metal. Would one of those rubber connector thingy's with hose clamps at each end work for this connection? Would running a hose be sufficient to check for leaks in the drain?

Thanks!
Dave

Is there a way to remove concrete without renting a concrete saw?
You can use a sledge or jack hammer and break the cement out.

There's a stack coming down from the upstairs bathroom that is vented. I suppose the basement bathroom is tied into that vent and drain since the stack is out side the bathroom a few feet . What's the best way to verify this?

If the bathroom isn't vented through this stack, would one of those auto vents be the solution? I just read a couple how to's that mentioned the use of an auto vent. I don't know why a rubber flapper is a vent
If the old installation drained without gurgles or backup I would assume the present set up is vented. Have you reason to think otherwise?
Since the move doesn't sound that far, (how far is it?) A minimum slope is required.
I don't use rubber couplings underground. Use a Shielded Metal Band, (see image) and convert to PVC.

Would running a hose be sufficient to check for leaks in the drain? Yes! Just run the shower. Good luck, Tom

Thanks for responding Tom!

You can use a sledge or jack hammer and break the cement out.

Sledge and jack hammer yeah baby! I was wondering if there was something else like maybe a grinder with a diamond blade. But my concern for a clean cut seems unfounded now since I might be using leveling cement so the shower pan is level. And the shower pan will be over the broken up area and not be painted like the exposed floor will be.

If the old installation drained without gurgles or backup I would assume the present set up is vented. Have you reason to think otherwise?
Well, the shower hasn't been used in many years but the toilet and sink seem fine. No mention of any troubles. Back up problems I would have heard about. Noises, maybe not. I just thought since I'm there, why not make sure and if not properly vented, make it proper.

Since the move doesn't sound that far, (how far is it?) A minimum slope is required.
I'll know tomorrow evening as demo day is tomorrow (Thursday) I know it's less than a couple feet.

I don't use rubber couplings underground. Use a Shielded Metal Band, (see image) and convert to PVC.
Thanks for the heads up!

Yes! Just run the shower. Good luck, Tom
Shower won't be functional for a spell and I'd like to test the drain before pouring cement. I wasn't sure a hose would be enough flow to simulate the shower flow even knowing shower heads have a way to limit the flow so as to conserve water.

Thanks for your expertise Tom! I'll post the exact distance of the drain's new location when I Know.

Cheers!
Dave

Oh yeah, Wanted to check drain if iss properly vented so as to know if more concrete needs removal than the drain move. Then I can determine how long to rent the jack hammer.