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mrtree · Jan 26, 2007, 01:12 PM

I have a tile shower upstairs that has a drain that is cemented into the tile. On the floor below I have ripped out the ceiling and can see what looks like a shower drain that is corroded and it looks like someone may have applied putty to it. There is a very slow drip filling a margarine container maybe once every two weeks. Is it possible to replace the drain in a tile floor. I can easily remove the trap below by unscrewing it from the pipe that is attached to the shower drain. I am not sure how to remove the drain (hitting the small section of pipe that connects to the drain?) Or somehow chipping at the cement around the drain, maybe damaging some tiles and later replacing them? How would I seal the replacement drain? I would love not having to replace the shower pan that doesn't leak as far as I can tell. Thanks
Dennis

ballengerb1 · Jan 26, 2007, 01:29 PM

Dry the area completely and then have some other person slowly pour water into the drain while you inspect from below. Use a flashlight or drop cord to you have a good view. Your leak could be the drain or it could be the compression nut on the J tube (trap.) The trap is not difficult to replace but don't try to re-use any of the pieces.

speedball1 · Jan 28, 2007, 06:22 AM

As allengerb1 suggested you're going to hafta nail down the source. Remove the strainer and block off the drain by stuffing wet rags in it or by blowing up a balloon in the drain and tying it off. With the drain stopped fill the shower base with a binch of water and let it set overnight. Next morning check for moisture and let me know what you find. Regards, Tom

mrtree · Jan 30, 2007, 12:29 PM

Sorry for the break in communication... some other problem came up. I have tried the different leak tests and the water that drips comes from the shower drain that looks like a bowl from below the floor. I can see a drip, like there is a hole in the "bowl" or shower drain. The drain looks like there is putty over a hole that I can't see, but the water for sure is coming from the putty, dripping very slowly... it takes a while to fill a margerine tub like I said before. Some plumbers on the phone said you can't replace a shower drain on a tile shower floor. They say I have to replace the whole shower pan. Very expensive. It doesn't make sense to me. But I don't know what would be involved in taking out the drain which seems to be cemented. There is a short steel pipe that is threaded into the shower drain and that connects to a threaded cast iron trap. I can unscrew everything below no problem. And the pipes don't look corroded. How to get the drain out and will it be easy to replace and put another one in and seal it. That is the question. Thanks

Dennis