Hi,

I have a shower pan leak dripping on the ceiling of the room below. After cutting into the ceiling, I see that the drain flange connection to the plastic pipe is leaking. I want to use sealant to stop the leak. What type of sealant should I use?

Thanks,

barrywil

It would be great if you could post a photo of it so we know what type of drain you have... You may be able to unscrew the nut, reapply pipe dope under the flange and tighten it back.

Thanks, Milo

Both flange ends are pvc. Any suggestions?

Milo... PIPE DOPE under the flange..? I'm sure you meant silicone or putty... right?

Barrywil... if you are lucky you can unscrew the nut (see 1st image) and then have a friend push up on the pipe riser while you go upstairs and use a rag to clean as much of the old sealant/putty away from the strainer and shower unit. Then use some silicone or roll up some plumber's putty and stick it under the flange and then tighten all this back up and you should be all set. If you used silicone, let it dry 24 hours before stepping into or using the shower.

If you have a solvent weld type strainer (see image) then you will need to loosen it up from the top and then clean all as mentioned before, pipe dope the threads and then install silicone or plumber's putty under the flange and screw this all back together, etc...

Finally, if the leak is between the pipe and the strainer assembly then you need to go upstairs and see if the rubber sleeve (if present) has loosened and/or needs to be replaced.

Let us know if you have something different...

MARK