I recently bought my house and found that the master shower produces a nasty smell. I moved to the guest bath to allow it to dry out complete and then took a look. Simply disturbing the hairy beast under the strainer, though dry, produced the smell so I thoroughly cleaned the entire area. That problem is solved.

While doing this, I noticed a couple of things, and I'm not sure how to fix them. The only parts I could remove were the strainer and a rubber gasket. There was what appeared to be very old chunks of putty in the space around the pipe, and it is not water tight. When I rinsed the area with bleach water, I saw it seep past the outside of the pipe. Since I already knew there was a leak, I wasn't concerned about adding a wee bit more.

What, if anything, is supposed to be in there? I've been googling my heart out trying to find images and instructions for similar drains and have come up only with pictures of the full assembly. I don't think it was the putty. The gasket I took out had been around it, but I believe that was wrong. It has a channel on the underside like it's suppose to fit over the pipe end, but it doesn't, and it was pushed around it with the channel facing up, collecting all sorts of the ick I cleaned. And the rounded top actually fits within the snap-in lip of the strainer, but that would leave it sitting just on top of the pipe. The pipe is a little off-center, so even that doesn't make a good fit.

Was something missing from this installation? The guest shower and floor drain in the laundry are completely different so I have nothing to compare to.

Also, the black ring that sits on top of the hole has lifted on one side. What should that be sealed with? And should the strainer be sealed with putty or something? It's looks like they had used something. It's not flush with the pan and I'm sure water leaks around it and into the space the pipe comes through that I know isn't water tight. And so it goes.

Attached is a picture. I can certainly take more if needed. FYI, the strainer reads AB&A LB79 ABS-1 2000mm DWV.

Thanks!

SavvyCat

48071

I think some one has attempted to do repairs before you.
I think that Part B is really a part of Part C that has been broken. Part C screws into Part D. That is, Part B and Part C combined (before it was broken) screws into part D.
It was probably broken trying to remove Part C.

Part A is someone's attempt to repair after breaking Part B from Part C.

See this web site for assembly.

http://www.bmicanada.com/products/bmi_specs_2pc_shower_drains.pdf

However I don't think that is where the leak is occurring.

Leak is probably occurring at the crack in the shower pan. If I am correct the only repair would be to replace the shower pan.

Thank you so much for your response and your illustration. Just some corrections, Part B is a rubber gasket, the drain pipe is black plastic. I think the angle makes it look like something else. If something is broken, I think it's Part D, the black ring that is probably suppose to be a flange. As for the crack, I already fixed that with Water Weld, the modeling clay type stuff you knead to activate. It's now hard as a rock and going nowhere. :)

I do plan to rip out the cheesy fiberglass units in both bathrooms because I can tell there is no support under this one and it's only going to continue falling apart. Just trying to decide if I want another modular unit, or to go for the gusto and have a tile one built. I just want to fix this up as best I can without spending money on it while I save up for real solutions. I lack skill and confidence to try to remove and replace the drain, but I know enough to look at this and see "that ain't right."

BTW, the reason I know it leaks is on the outside wall. The exterior is stucco and there is a metal edging along the bottom near the foundation. It's rusting away exactly where the drain would be. I was concerned the original smell was major rot happening, but luckily it just turned out to be poor maintenance. Doesn't mean it still can't be scary behind those walls. The previous owners were original owners, an elderly couple, and pride of ownership shows everywhere else in the house except here.

OK, remember I said "I think" and my comments were based on what I saw in the photo.

I now think that the Part C is the ABS pipe and Part D is an

ABS flange. The flange would be secured to the shower pan by a nut and gasket underneath the pan. It is not likely to be leaking. Plus you said ,
I saw it seep past the outside of the pipe.
The flange would be glued to the pipe with ABS glue. It is quite possible that the original installer did not glue properly, perhaps not at all.

There was what appeared to be very old chunks of putty in the space around the pipe
That sounds like plumber putty. That might work for a short period but is certainly not the proper repair.

I get the impression that the is is the first floor over a crawl space. Can you detect any movement between the flange and the pipe? Either by pushing down on the pipe or prying up gently on the flange.

Do you have access to the under side of the floor?

Yes, there is movement with the pipe just wiggling it side to side, but I don't have access. I'm on a slab.

OK, apparently the original installer forgot to glue the flange to the pipe.
Check back tomorrow, I have something I want to check before suggesting.

I'm all ears, and grateful. :)

Looks like there may be a piece missing... Also, the large black gasket doesn't look as the one that came with the drain .... Moreover, the pipe is crooked, leaning towards one side. Here is where I think the leak is. ( see the gap on upper left in your first photo, at 11 o'clock position )
Get right gasket, take broom stick, put it inside the pipe as deep as it goes and push the pipe towards the center - while pushing new gasket all the way down to the body of the drain. Release broom stick. Pipe should stay in the center. If not, you will have to put a wedge on the tension side to keep it in place.

This drain doesn't look like the one where ABS pipe glues into it (Glue Drain)

These drains come in two versions: See enclosed photos. The one on the left uses large gasket that just slips over the pipe and is pushed all the way down the body of the drain. Sometimes manufacturer supplies a thin plastic ring that you put over the washer and tap it with hammer in downward motion to compress the gasket
The second one uses metal ( or plastic ) ring that screws into the drain, between the pipe and body of the drain, squeezing the gasket in the process. I cannot recognize from your photo which one you have.

Your drain is a common drain. You can find such drain in big box stores, like Home Depot and Lowe's. Cost: about $15.00. Your best bet is to buy new drain, use the rubber gasket that came with the new drain - and toss the rest



Hope that helps

Milo

Savvy,
Organic matter ( soap scum, hair, skin, etc. ) has been leaking into the area below the shower base either via the crack or the unsealed drain connection, this can cause offensive odors. Unsupported shower bases will flex around the drain connector and make it difficult to maintain a watertight, odor proof seal. We always install our bases in a bed of mortar, this serves multiple purposes.
A mortar bed will make even the cheesiest bases sturdy and solid, and we find it easy to properly level showers & tubs by rocking / shifting them into place - always follow the manufacturers install instructions, some fiberglass / acrylic / plastic bases do not like to be in direct contact with cement...

I am with Milo.
Now, if you only can find that drain assembly.

If you can't find that drain assembly come back for my "make do" solution.

Okay, guys, thank you sooo much for your help thus far. I went to my handy, ever-helpful Ferguson Plumbing Supply, and he sent me home with a whole drain assembly to pick parts as I choose. And I find myself with another dilemma.

First, the connector gasket around the pipe already looks like is going to do far, FAR superior than whatever that other gasket was. No question. However, there is still a bit of distance from the strainer to the pipe, meaning stuff can collect, might still leak a tiny bit.

The rubber thing that used to be there fits in the space, right under the strainer, and diverts water into the pipe (with a little but of a lip because the pipe still isn't centered, but regular maintenance would do wonders). There is also gasket that fits around the lip of the strainer that would add extra protection. The problem is I can't use both.

What are you thoughts before I share mine? :) Attached are pictures of the pipe with the connector gasket, what it looks like with the diverting thingy, and what it looks like with the ring thingy.

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