Hello folks,
In the process of renovating our master bath, I have run into a difficulty getting the shower base out.

The shower base seems to be a concrete/small stone aggregate. The drain plumbing in the rest of the house is copper, and from what I can see the shower drain also appears to be copper. It appears as if the drain pipe extends up and then flanges out over a small recess below the drain cover. The picture should show it. (I pried some of the copper up).

I have removed all tiles and backerboard. When I use a wonderbar, I can lift the side of the shower base up and the drain pipe moves with it. I thought I would try and crack the base up with a sledge hammer, but it only chips away at the base and won't break it up well.

I believe this is the original shower; the house was built in 1966.

Please, help me get this base out of here. And can you recommend a replacement base and plumbing steps to get a new one installed? Thanks so much.

Steve

Speedball1 will help you with the install steps. This is a good place to start with buying a new pan. Shower Pans Now, back to the cement pan. You are on the right track with the sledge hammer, just swing harder. You could also buy/rent a rotary hammer or demo hammer but that cement with eventually shader. Once it does you can cut the old drain with a reciprocating saw but wait until Tom (Speedball1) show you the new drain connection.

As Bal sez, get a larger hammer or swing harder. That's how we take them out. You might try lifting the base so there's nothing solid underneath and then whacking it.
You will be faced with a decision after the base and old drain comes out. Do I hunt around and locate a base that fits the shower trap raiser or do I buy this dynamite base that I'll have to move the trap and raiser to make it fit. This can only be answered by you. When you find a base that fits your needs click on back and we'll tackle the installation. Good luck and I'll be waiting to hear from you. Tom