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rsimon1327
Jul 27, 2012, 09:37 AM
I am remodeling my bathroom, and going to replace the old tub with a new one. I shut the water off to the tub first, then I loosened the tub (fiberglass tub) from the studs, and in the process must have jarred the drain pipe and am now getting a drip. Where the drain comes down (tub is on first floor, I can see all plumbing from my basement) and "u turns" back up to the main drain pipe, there is some type of cleanout plug? washout plug? At the bottom of the "u turn". I am now getting a drip from that plug. I'm guessing it is just leftover water from the pipes above, but I also thought I could do this all myself without any problems. So the big question is, do I unscrew that plug and let what is hopefully only leftover water from the pipes above drain into a bucket? The tub is still connected to the pipe, so if I take that plug out, and all is well, would it be safe to then also remove the tub? I did speak with the only plummer I could get a hold of, and of course, he can't make it out here for two more days, but he said without looking at it and what I described to him, I should be able to unscrew that plug and about 2 cups of water should drain out of it and then I should be fine. I trust what he says as I know him, but a second opinion would go a long ways. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated, and obviously, the sooner the better. Thank you.

massplumber2008
Jul 27, 2012, 10:10 AM
Hi Rsimon

Yup, as your plumber friend said, "i should be able to unscrew that plug and about 2 cups of water should drain out of it and then i should be fine"...

Heck, I'd one up your plumber friend and have you cut the old UTURN out and plug the drain line for now as it is a good idea to install a new PTRAP (uturn) when you install the new tub.

For now, drain the ptrap and get that tub removed.

Be sure to PLUG the ptrap with a rag to keep sewer gasses from entering your home during construction, OK?

Mark

rsimon1327
Jul 27, 2012, 10:43 AM
Thanks mark, I appreciate it. This all happened about 3 1/2 hours ago, and I've just been sitting here listening to the drips hoping for a reply. About 2 cupfulls of drips, going to pull the plug and be done with it. Thanks again.