Hello,

I am renovating my basement bathroom, and would like to move the shower drain over by about 50". The current drain comes out of the concrete floor. It is a 2-1/4"diameter drain pipe that is surrounded by a 5" diameter pipe with concrete around the outer pipe.

I am planning to install a corner prefab shower at the new location. I would rather not bust up the concrete floor, so I was thinking of raising the new shower on a platform, and running a pipe from the new location to the old drain.

Questions
1 - Is this possible.
2 - If yes, then what is the slope required on my 50" extension.
3 - Assuming the old drain has a p trap underground, do I need to install a second p trap under my new platform.
4- Can you get into trouble by installing 2 consecutive p traps (I though I saw this on TV once)

Thanks in advance for your time.

Hey Chris,

1 - "Is this possible" Yes it is.
2 - "If yes, then what is the slope required on my 50" extension." 1/4" to the foot
3 - "Assuming the old drain has a p trap underground, do I need to install a second p trap under my new platform." No, You have a set up for a tub installation. If the pipe in the 5" enclosure is vertical then there is a trap if the pipe's horizontal then you will have to install a trap.
4- "Can you get into trouble by installing 2 consecutive p traps" Yes, if a inspector sees it. Besides being "overhill" it's against code.

More questions? I'm as close as a click. Tom

Whoah that was fast, thanks.

2 more questions,

1- Is there an inherent flaw with my plan, it seems much easier than digging up my floor, so I figure there must be a downside, you know, you can take the easy way, but...

2- You mentioned that the clope needs to be 1/4" on the foot, which means that I need about 1" for the entire 50" length. That's not very much, so do I need to bother putting in elbows to tilt it by an inch, or can I just connect it straight to the drain and "flex" the 50" ectention by an inch. I am not sure if I am clear. Basically what I am asking is if I need to creat a slope by using varuious joints, or can I simply pull the extension of the pipe up by an inch. The reason I ask is that I am worried that flexing the extension may put stress on the glued joint (platic piping), and it may fail over time.

Thanks a lot for your help.

1- Is there an inherent flaw with my plan, it seems much easier than digging up my floor, so I figure there must be a downside, you know, you can take the easy way, but...
Yes there is a "downside". You will have two elbos in your offset to the trap. This will provide more opportunities for a clog to occur. Rule of thumb in drainage is to keep the drain lines as clear off turns as possible. Turns and elbos impede the flow and set up a blockage situation.

"Do I need to bother putting in elbows to tilt it by an inch, or can I just connect it straight to the drain and "flex" the 50" ectention by an inch. I am not sure if I am clear. Basically what I am asking is if I need to creat a slope by using varuious joints, or can I simply pull the extension of the pipe up by an inch. The reason I ask is that I am worried that flexing the extension may put stress on the glued joint (platic piping), and it may fail over time?"

I don't care how you accomplish it but the elbo that turns down to connect to the trap wants to be one inch lower then the other elbo. Leaving the 50" run level along with two elbos practically guarantees blockage problems.
Good luck, Tom