I remodelled my bathroom and now it appears that the shower drain is leaking. I remodelled the shower with a product called syn-mar. A base with shower walls and used a Danze faucet and drain. My first question is I didn't use plumbers putty, instead I used Sicone when installing the drain, Could that of been the problem? The second questions is the only way this can be repaired is to cut my ceiling and reinstall the drain or replace it or do they make an insert that can be used?

Dane

Hi Diane,

Both plumbers putty and silicon gel are acceptable. When the base was installed was it bedded down with mortar or cement? Does the floor "give" a bit as you step on it? Even a little bit of flex in the floor is enough to rupture a seal over time. You did install the drain with the rubber gasket and the fiber friction washer UNDER the base and not under the lip didn't you? Regards, Tom Regards, tom

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the response. I believe the drain gaskit & fiber friction washer were installed under the base. I did not set the base in concrete. It was a heavy base that put onto the plywood floor. The shower drain only started to leak when I increase the water pressure by removing the restricter in the shower head, witch makes me think it may be leaking around the drain. The shower has only been used a dozen times. It sounds like my only option is going to be to cut the downstairs ceiling out and get a good look at where it may be coming in. The Manufacture of this product did not state that the base should be installed with concrete. Do you feel this may be the cause of this problem? Thanks again for your feed back

Dane

Hey Dane,
"The Manufacture of this product did not state that the base should be installed with concrete. Do you feel this may be the cause of this problem?"
A plastic or fiberglass shower base that "gives" a bit when you step on it is the major cause of drain leaks but it's easily checked. Run a ring of silicon gel around the lip and squeeze it under the lip as much as you can. Let it cure overnight and now try it. Good luck, Tom