We have a basement bathroom that contained a shower, but would like to replace the shower with a tub since we have sufficient room. The current shower drain is directly in front of a cement pony wall (front to back 4 level split level home) so I'm not sure how we get under the tub to install the drain. How is this normally handled. Do we have to break up the concrete outside the width of the tub to be able to get underneath once the tub is in place?

Thanks!

Vince

When you remove the old shower you can get the exact measurements regarding the old drain placement. It is very unlikely that a new tub would match the shower drain so breaking up some floor is in line. You basically need to cut a 14 x 14 box in the concrete and break out a spot for your tub dap out. Your drain pipe get set in this hole, the tub gets set and then the drain is screwed into the drain from inside the tub. I think Speedball1, Tom, will be here tomorrow and can give better details than I can but this is the basics.

Vrosso - If you install a new tub ,one that sets on the floor all the way ( BOTTOM) the answer is yes, what will probably save you some money and also labor money is to buy you one of the cast iron ( CLUB FOOTED TUBS HAS LEGSALSO ON the reg tub you could install the drain first before setting it in place, unless the foot piece (DRAIN )hits the concrete floor, and you have to cut some out for it. I know a lot of fancy homes that has the old time tubs . Iknow where there is 4 of them right now & not very expenseive. Hope this helps , if it does rate my ans. Beloe ::: GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS ::: F.B.E.

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I'm not sure how we get under the tub to install the drain. How is this normally handled. Do we have to break up the concrete outside the width of the tub to be able to get underneath once the tub is in place?

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As a rule the front of the tub sets against a wall with a access panel that allows you to install and service the tub drain. Since a regular tub drain will connecr to the trap raiser a bit under the floor line a 12 X 12" dap out will have to be cut into the slab to connect the two together. Good luck, Tom

Thank you for your responses. Can I clarify is a "dap" the drain access point? As ballengerb1 susggested so it is possible to preassemble the drain and overflow and have it in place already and just drop the tub in on top. Some of my "handy man" buddies are giving me a bad time saying it will never work... seems like a good ideal to me. Are there any tricks to getting the height of the drain and overflow exactly right?

Vince

If you were staying with the shower pan you could just drop it onto the 2" drain but not if this is going to be a tub. You will need access to under the tub at the drain end. Reread Tom's advice. maybe he'll have some pictures to help you later today.

Ballengerb1... referring to your first response... I thought you were saying that the drain and overflow could be preassembled and installed onto the P trap tail pipe (at proper height and distance from end wall) and then assuming the placement was correct that the bathtub could just be lowered on top of the drain and then attached to the tub via the screw collar from inside the tub. Was I reading that wrong?

I will be leaving a 12 or 14 square hole under the tub drain so it can sit down in it.

If I may stick my nose in... (looks around... sticks nose in despite fact it may be cut off! ).

I will not speak as to what Ballenger b1 suggested or not... he will I am sure tomorrow.

I just wanted to note that to drop in tub as you are suggesting CAN BE DONE... but it is usually reserved for very experienced plumbers.. and even they miss sometimes. So your buddies are right. I would try to predetermine fit DRY... then fit the whole thing up in the dapout (boxout in floor) after you set tub. I say you enter the box just 3 inches to right or left of tub center and that will help you to set the trap easily later (if go for straight on shot at center drain will only elongate the p-trap and make slightly harder to fit after dropping tub).

By the way, even if you could drop tub directly into drain, even if an experienced plumber did job... would still need to tighten the nut that connects to the tub waste and overflow... so absolutely need to have access to drain AFTER installation.

Anyway... just my two cents! Good luck.

MASS is correct and very detailed, I think I was overly vague. It could be done but I have never done it myself. Access is needed after the installation is complete so the final drain connection can be done via the access panel. I have ripped out several tubs and installed shower and its an easy swap. I have not been asked to remove a shower and install a tub so I should be quiet at this point.

I appreciate all the feedback... and am now much more knowledgeable than I was. I'm having a plumber come over so he can see what's there, and what I'm wanting to do and then direct me as to what will be required. I may have to grow longer arms so I can reach down the wall and under the tub or devise some other way to get under the tub without breaking up too much of the concrete floor. I'm checking to see about getting just a regular tub but with a skirt which would make things a lot easier.

Vince