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Ny1 · Jul 13, 2005, 02:12 PM

I've recently built the bathroom in the basement. I continue to have a leak when the drain starts to back up. I had broke the tile around the main drain and replaced the flange (the one that is sandwiched between the liner) but I still continue to experience the leak. The shower will run fine for a couple minutes and then when the pipe starts to back up as an example, water at the tip of the pipe I will notice small amounts of water leak from the rear area of shower (on the opposite side of the wall). I am at a total loss of why the drain is slow to drain and further why it keeps leaking. Any suggestions?

speedball1 · Jul 13, 2005, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Ny1

I've recently built the bathroom in the basement. I continue to have a leak when the drain starts to back up. I had broke the tile around the main drain and replaced the flange (the one that is sandwiched between the liner) but I still continue to experience the leak. The shower will run fine for a couple minutes and then when the pipe starts to back up as an example, water at the tip of the pipe I will notice small amounts of water leak from the rear area of shower (on the opposite side of the wall). I am at a total loss of why the drain is slow to drain and further why it keeps leaking. Any suggestions?

It sounds like you have a partial blockage. Is the shower properly vented?
It also sounds like you blocked the weep holes in the flange when you replaced it and now the seepage from the tile floor can not drain back into the trap as it was designed to do.
You may have to bite the bullet and redo the shower base and drain. First snake out the drain line and check for proper venting. Next pull the top flange. The grooves in the bottom of the top flange are the weep holes. They carry away any water that seeps down from the tilefloor and collects in the shower pan. Also the shower pan should all one piece. No seams or you'll have the leaks you describe. Good luck, Tom

Ny1 · Jul 13, 2005, 05:24 PM

I don't think it is the weep holes as when the shower as when I pour water into the drain (without it flowing into the shower), the water will leak. So, it definitely seems to be coming from the flange somewhere. The shower base is one piece... a graded cement base was applied (ontop of concrete floor) which I then put the liner on and kept it 7 - 10 inches above floor on sides. After that, some more cement and presto it was completed. Not sure if this is a clue but no matter how much you run the water in the shower, it won't leak out the side until the neck of the drain starts to back up. Any other ideas?

speedball1 · Jul 13, 2005, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Ny1

I don't think it is the weep holes as when the shower as when I pour water into the drain (without it flowing into the shower), the water will leak. So, it definitely seems to be coming from the flange somewhere. The shower base is one piece...a graded cement base was applied (ontop of concrete floor) which I then put the liner on and kept it 7 - 10 inches above floor on sides. After that, some more cement and presto it was completed. Not sure if this is a clue but no matter how much you run the water in the shower, it won't leak out the side until the neck of the drain starts to back up. Any other ideas?

What kind of material is the trap and flange made of and how is the drain/flange connected to the trap raiser? You still have a partial blockage in the drain line that must be removed. Regards, Tom

Ny1 · Jul 13, 2005, 05:45 PM

The flange is made of ABS plastic as is the remainder of the piping/trap (black ABS). The shower pipe runs for about 4 feet towards the main drain which is vented as the sink drains super fast. I can't understand what the blockage could be, do you know if there are places that rent out drain cameras? ((Ontario, Canada area))

Ny1 · Jul 13, 2005, 05:46 PM

... also it is connected via glue

Ny1 · Jul 13, 2005, 06:35 PM

One other comment, how far away is a vent suppose to be from the shower? The rough in was originally for a tub and I made it into a stand up shower. Could it be that a tub has a aerated opening and that now, my shower has no vent? The shower does feed into the main pipe as I mentioned 4 ft away which is vented . Someone said that the shower should have a vent no further than 12" away, is this correct?

speedball1 · Jul 14, 2005, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ny1

One other comment, how far away is a vent suppose to be from the shower? The rough in was originally for a tub and I made it into a stand up shower. Could it be that a tub has a aerated opening and that now, my shower has no vent? The shower does feed into the main pipe as I mentioned 4 ft away which is vented . Someone said that the shower should have a vent no further than 12" away, is this correct?

When the tub was roughed in it would have been connected to the lavatory drain. This wet vents the tub/shower drainage. You don't need a camera but you should send a snake down the shower trap and out for15 feet or so to be sure the line is clear. Regards, Tom

Ny1 · Jul 14, 2005, 07:29 AM

I'll snake that bad boy and let you know what I find.

Centerpoint · Aug 6, 2005, 10:21 AM

I recently jackhammered a hole in my basement floor to search for a buried drain pipe. I found the pipe, and now I'm going to hire a plumber to center a shower drain for me. The problem I've experienced is a pool of water has accumulated under where the pipe is underground.
I cleared the approximately 1.5 inches of water out of the hole only to find more water of about 1.5 inches in the same spot a couple of days later. The hole is about 9 inches deep. The water level doesn't exceed the 1.5 inches and I've been told not to worry about the water. I didn't hit the pipe, and it's not attached to any other fixtures. Should I worry about this or not?
Thanks in advance.

Centerpoint · Aug 6, 2005, 11:11 AM

Sorry everyone, I made a mistake by starting a new thread. I'm not familiar with message boards.

speedball1 · Aug 6, 2005, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Centerpoint

Sorry everyone, I made a mistake by starting a new thread. I'm not familiar with message boards.

That's cool! I answered the new thread. Tom