Ask Me Help Desk - Need advice on simple shower drain leak. Pics provided.

We discovered a moisture leak on the 1st floor ceiling below our master bathroom shower.

We had a friend cut out the damaged section of the ceiling and ran the shower water to test where the leak was originating. The leak is coming from the rim of the shower drain.

I provided pictures to show where the water was leaking from above (drain1.jpg) and a view of the leak from the 1st floor looking up through the ceiling (drain2.jpg).

We applied clear bathroom silicon sealant with a chaulking gun shown in the drain1.jpg picture and let it cure. We waited 2 days before using the shower. Looks like the shifting weight of a person has slight flex on the plastic shower flooring caused the sealant to be compromised.

The seal ended up breaking after one shower and leaking around the rim again.
1. is there a special washer ring that we have to use in conjunction with the sealant?
2. what is the best way to fix this simple leak.

Links to pictures (drain1.jpg & drain2.jpg)

http://www.blackaces.org/misc/drain1.jpg

http://www.blackaces.org/misc/drain2.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesisonline

we discovered a moisture leak on the 1st floor ceiling below our master bathroom shower.

we had a friend cut out the damaged section of the ceiling and ran the shower water to test where the leak was originating. the leak is coming from the rim of the shower drain.

i provided pictures to show where the water was leaking from above (drain1.jpg) and a view of the leak from the 1st floor looking up through the ceiling (drain2.jpg).

we applied clear bathroom silicon sealant with a chaulking gun shown in the drain1.jpg picture and let it cure. we waited 2 days before using the shower. looks like the shifting weight of a person has slight flex on the plastic shower flooring caused the sealant to be compromised.

the seal ended up breaking after one shower and leaking around the rim again.
1. is there a special washer ring that we have to use in conjunction with the sealant?
2. what is the best way to fix this simple leak.

Links to pictures (drain1.jpg & drain2.jpg)

http://www.blackaces.org/misc/drain1.jpg

http://www.blackaces.org/misc/drain2.jpg

Hey James,

1. is there a special washer ring that we have to use in conjunction with the sealant?
No, the installation goes like this;Shower drains are installed with a ring of plumbers putty or silicon gel under the lip of the male threaded piece which then goes into the hole in the base.
On the under side the neoprene washer goes first, then the fiber friction washer and finally the nut that secures the drain assembly. As you tighten the retaining nut the putty or silicone gel squeezes out from the lip of the drain to make a seal.

2. what is the best way to fix this simple leak?
You've answered your own question by observing, " looks like the shifting weight of a person has slight flex on the plastic shower flooring caused the sealant to be compromised."
BINGO! The shower floor MUST have support and from your pictures it's floating without any. The way to fix this problem is to install support for the shower floor. It could be heading up from the floor joists with 2 X 4 headers or perhaps you could slide 3/4" in plywood on top of the joists and build the area up with mortor or patching cement. No matter how you do it the shower floor must be supported or you'll have a ongoing problem. Good luck, Tom

I stepped on the shower flooring and it seems to be fine. The floor wasn't flexing as I thought it was, but the drain pipe moved slightly.

I observed the underside of the drain from the first floor while another person showered and did notice that the drain piping moved slightly when they moved their feet causing the seal not to hold. Ugh.

There is a plywood sheet above the studs supporting the shower floor.

I'll need to do some research on parts that you mentioned for the drain anatomy. Thanks for the tips.

Let me know if you have diagrams by chance :)

I believe the two washers you mentioned are not present, so that is where I'm going to investigate further.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesisonline

i stepped on the shower flooring and it seems to be fine. the floor wasn't flexing as i thought it was, but the drain pipe moved slightly.

i observed the underside of the drain from the first floor while another person showered and did notice that the drain piping moved slightly when they moved their feet causing the seal not to hold. ugh.

there is a plywood sheet above the studs supporting the shower floor.

i'll need to do some research on parts that you mentioned for the drain anatomy. thanks for the tips.

let me know if you have diagrams by chance :)

i believe the two washers you mentioned are not present, so that is where i'm going to investigate further.

Hey James,

If you've installed the drain without the washers then it's been installed incorrectly and you're going to hafta do it again. See: http://www.lawsupply.net/odds_ends/drains/ to see the washers. Also the trap should be secured so that it doesn't move when someone steps in the shower. Let me know what you come up with. Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedball1

Hey James,

If you've installed the drain without the washers then it's been installed incorrectly and you're gonna hafta do it again. See: http://www.lawsupply.net/odds_ends/drains/ to see the washers. Also the trap should be secured so that it doesn't move when someone steps in the shower. Let me know what you come up with. Tom

We bought the house with this set up already in it. First time I've looked at any drain issue, so it's a learning process.

I can't visibly see the washer, but it could be just crushed between or rotted out. I can't tell much, but it looks like I'll have to yank the drain and do a fresh rebuild of the washer set and seal. I'm heading to home depot later after work to do some quick checks on parts later. I'm checking your link out now that you've provided. Thanks for all the knowledge base. Its good to have some experience to pool from.

This second pic from your link you provided - http://www.lawsupply.net/odds_ends/drains/DRP-SD5.jpg

Looks identical to my drain type except the bottom half is black instead of white, but it has the same kind of nuts under it as shown in the catalog picture. The top steel strainer is the same diameter 4-1/4" as ours.

I shouldn't have to cut the pipe if I'm just repairing and replacing the seal and washers above right? I'm assuming all I need to do is loosen the nuts under it and pull the top part of the drain to do a fresh plumbers putty and washer set.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesisonline

this second pic from your link you provided - http://www.lawsupply.net/odds_ends/drains/DRP-SD5.jpg

looks identical to my drain type except the bottom half is black instead of white, but it has the same kind of nuts under it as shown in the catalog picture. the top steel strainer is the same diameter 4-1/4" as ours.

i shouldn't have to cut the pipe if i'm just repairing and replacing the seal and washers above right? i'm assuming all i need to do is loosen the nuts under it and pull the top part of the drain to do a fresh plumbers putty and washer set.

Sounds like you have it together James,
I shouldn't have to cut the pipe if I'm just repairing and replacing the seal and washers above right? I'm assuming all I need to do is loosen the nuts under it and pull the top part of the drain to do a fresh plumbers putty and washer set.

Nope! All you have to do is be sure everything's nice and secure and then unscrew the big nut and pull and reset the drain assembly. Good luck Tom.