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csubroncs · May 2, 2007, 07:33 AM

I live on the 2nd floor of my condo and tore out the old bathtub to replace it with a shower. Here's what I know: the floor is concrete slab and there is an approx 1.5' x 2' cutout for the original plumbing installation. The plumbers installed the piping to fit the tub and then poured in cement around the pipe to lock it in place. I am okay with the current location of the drain and plan to build a sloped "slab" on top of the existing floor. I bought the drain setup from the depot but it sticks out above the floor by about 4". I'm not okay with that. That makes for a huge amount of concrete. The shower footprint is about 36" x 60". I want to go in and chip out around the existing piping and attempt to lower the overall height of my drain so I won't be so high off the floor. It looks horrible having a 6" stepup to get into a shower! Is this a safe idea. I don't want damage any plumbing that might cause a leak downstairs. I figured I could drill and chip away until I get some clearance. Is there a "low profile" floor drain out there? And I don't think I see a trap... is that an issue for a shower? I know they keep out vapors but do they serve additional purposes? Will it be a problem if I get the drain too low (i.e. is there a certain minimum thickness that concrete has to be poured to work properly?) Do I really need the screw type adjustable drain? Can I just use the non adjustable one and be really tedious at sloping my new shower floor? All I need to do is leave some room for the tile right? Sorry for so many questions!! Thanks for any and all advice!

speedball1 · May 3, 2007, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by csubroncs

I live on the 2nd floor of my condo and tore out the old bathtub to replace it with a shower. Here's what I know: the floor is concrete slab and there is an approx 1.5' x 2' cutout for the original plumbing installation. The plumbers installed the piping to fit the tub and then poured in cement around the pipe to lock it in place. I am okay with the current location of the drain and plan to build a sloped "slab" on top of the existing floor. I bought the drain setup from the depot but it sticks out above the floor by about 4". I'm not okay with that. That makes for a huge amount of concrete. The shower footprint is about 36" x 60". I want to go in and chip out around the existing piping and attempt to lower the overall height of my drain so I won't be so high off the floor. It looks horrible having a 6" stepup to get into a shower! Is this a safe idea. I don't want damage any plumbing that might cause a leak downstairs. I figured I could drill and chip away until I get some clearance. Is there a "low profile" floor drain out there? And I don't think I see a trap...is that an issue for a shower? I know they keep out vapors but do they serve additional purposes? Will it be a problem if I get the drain too low (i.e. is there a certain minimum thickness that concrete has to be poured to work properly?) Do I really need the screw type adjustable drain? Can I just use the non adjustable one and be really tedious at sloping my new shower floor? All I need to do is leave some room for the tile right? Sorry for so many questions!!! Thanks for any and all advice!

You are aware that you'll have to pan out the shower first aren't you? That is unless you wish to install a manufactured shower base that's made to convert a tub to a shower.
You will use a flange type shower drain, (see image) so you will have a threaded adjustment on the drain. Good luck, Tom

tonyh · May 9, 2007, 08:17 AM

The drain for the shower is 2" and your tub drain is 1 1/2", This is and issue and must be addressed.

speedball1 · May 9, 2007, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by tonyh

the drain for the shower is 2" and your tub drain is 1 1/2", This is and issue and must be addressed.

And you know this how? As a rule the tub trap raiser is 2" connecting to the 1 1/2" tub waste by way of a 2 X 1 1/2" nylon gasket in the 2" compression fitting. But say you're correct and the trap raiser is only 1 1/2". All you need to do is prime and glue in a 2 X 1 1/2" PVC bushing in the shower drain.
Problem solved! Tom