I have a 40' x 40' shop that I am building an efficiency apartment in. The problem is the shower. I have a shower pan but I need to install the shower with as little platform height as possible. I don't want to remove any of the concrete floor. The standard p-trap for the 2" drain in the shower pan makes the entry to the shower an 11 1/2" step up. This is pretty high and I am trying to avoid adding a step in front of the shower. If I Don't use the P-trap, It saves 4" or so and makes it a lot better.

I have heard of a "Box" trap? the water comes into a box and out the side. There is a flap or door or something that does the trap function?

This will be virtually inaccessible when I get it installed so it really needs to be trouble free.

Also, the drain appears to be a rubber compression fitting to a 2" pipe. There was a small bar they called a wrench to tighten a ring that is supposed to create a seal around the PVC pipe. I set this gizmo up on blocks to test it and it appears leak slightly even though I could not tighten the ring in the drain anymore.

I know this is has to be right the first time so I am looking for some wisdom before I commit.

Thanks,
Wayne

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I have heard of a "Box" trap? The water comes into a box and out the side. There is a flap or door or something that does the trap function?

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This trap is forbidden by Code,(Chapter 7, Section703.5-a)
Bite the bullet, take up the slab and install, it right. Good luck, Tom

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Originally Posted by speedball1

This trap is forbidden by Code,(Chapter 7, Section703.5-a)
Bite the bullet, take up the slab and install, it right. Good luck, Tom

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The shower is near an exterior wall. I am afraid of creating leaks if I penetrate the floor. I am hoping to find a solution that gives me the lowest installation height. I will just raise the shower to accommodate the trap if that is the best solution.

Wayne, I would not worry so much about the concrete floor buy you can use a concrete saw rather than a jack hammer if you want to be less traumatic. Are you going to tie into an existing drain line that is already under this floor?

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Are you going to tie into an existing drain line that is already under this floor?

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Short answer - No, Long answer - There was a sink and toilet in the shop when I bought it. The toilet outlet was in when the slab was poured. The sink drain went through the side of the steel building.

My project is building an efficiency or studio apartment with finished walls, etc. I completed the bedroom and am working on the main room and bath. The exterior wall, where the drains and water go are 2 x 6 framed walls. I am studying options on the plumbing and the shower seems to be the biggest problem.

I can try to cut the studs and run the drains inside or just exit to the outside of the building (easiest) and run the drains there. If I run the drains outside, I will probably build an enclosure to prevent freezing.

I am planning to do a drawing of the plumbing this week I hope. I already received some good advice on this site. Perhaps I can post the drawing and get additional feedback.

The sink went through the side of the steel building to where? It should have, could have been tied to the toilet drain. It doesn't even sound like the sink is vented. Tom is the guy for rough ins so I'll step back from that issue but I'm good at breaking things, even concrete.

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The shower is near an exterior wall. I am afraid of creating leaks if I penetrate the floor.

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When you rough in for a shower this isn't like a tub dap-out where you leave a 12 X 12" hole in the cement. Once the drainage is in and tested the floor is cemented and patched so it's all water tight agai. I can see no advantage in platforming the base. Regards, Tom

I received some great comments today. I made a quick drawing. I probably used the symbols incorrectly but I think it will help me get organized.

I will look at trying to cut a hole for the shower.

I have not decided if I should try to cut the studs and run the drains inside the wall or run them outside the building yet. I guess that will depend on how the shower goes. I don't want the water from the sinks to backup into the shower so I need to be careful about the elevation of everything. The shower looks like it definitely set the low point. I can get the drain pipe from the Kitchen over to the septic lower if I go outside the building. I am thinking this should be a primary consideration?

I also read a post by speedball1 and I want to check out the studor vents. That could make my installation a lot cleaner.

Again, I am impressed by the amount of information I received in just one day.

Thanks,
Wayne

Pic was pretty good, only you left out the toilet cold supply.