I am removing a fiberglass shower unit and installing a tile shower, wall and floor.
My question is how do I know I have a PCV or ABS drain?

Does a ABS drain have threads vs. PCV use glue?

Hey MFOBRIEN...

First use a sawzall to cut out the old shower... cut into 3-4 pieces. If this is a one-piece unit, 1st cut is 6 inches off shower floor all around to separate base from walls. 2nd/3rd cuts are up the walls to pieces that can be handled and walked out the doors. Finally, cut a 6-7 inch hole around the shower drain, Then remove base and walls.

Be sure not to cut too deep when cutting walls/base as electric wires could pass through same wall so just let sawzall cut into fiberglass by about an inch... ;)

After that, the pipe will be exposed and you will be able to see what you have. ABS and PVC are both plastic type pipes. ABS is black plastic and PVC is white plastic. Both require dedicated primers/cements. No real advantages/disadvantages to either residentially.

Here, if installing custom shower pan will you be installing a vinyl membrane or a copper pan? Each type requires a different method to join the pipe to the pan. Let me know so can advice best here.

Let us know what you can. I've built maybe 35 custom showers so if you have any questions... let me know.

MARK


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After I remove the fiberglass shower, will I be able to use the existing drain or will I need to remove old pcv drain. As this is on the 2nd floor, will I need to exces from 1st floor ceiling?

No matter what you're replacing the old shower with you will need toi remove everything and start from scratch. Good luck, Tom