Hi,

I am trying to fix the drain in my shower. The shower has a fiberglass (I think) shower pan. This shower pan looks different that ones I see on the internet in that the drain is actually formed in the shower base. The sch40 2'' pipe comes up about an 1" from the opening. The drain originally had a rubber gasket around it, but not sits loosely in the drain basket. There was a bead of caulk "sealing" it to the drain wall. This has caused leaks for a long time. Unfortunately, while this shower is upstairs, the drain is right on top of the air-return duct of the heating system.

Is there a way that I can fix that from the top only? I just came from my local plumbing store and the very helpful salesperson told me that this type of shower pan comes with a compression gasket that seals it to the drain wall. He told me to use a Ty seal but the lip on this Ty seal is about 3 1/2" in diameter and is too big to sit inside the 3 1/16" drain. Here's a picture of the shower drain: http://www.geocities.com/gerrylk/hp/shwr_drain.jpg

I just recently started working after 2 years of unemployment and can't afford to hire a heating contractor to take down and put back up the duct, as a plumber contractor recommends. I will be very grateful for any suggestion to help me out of this predicament.

Thank you.
Gerry

If you are at all handy, you should be able to take the heating duct apart yourself. I haven't messed with one for so long, I forget how they are held together. It seems to me you put a thin strip of tin the joint and bend a tab over. Go to a home center place and study the unassembled ones there. You may be able to figure out how they work. Even removing the hangers might allow the duct to sag enough to give you the clearance you need to fix the drain. Put something under it to keep it from falling clear down.

Sorry Gerrry, You'll have to do this from underneith. Labman and I work well together. He addressed getting to the drain. Let me address what to do after you open it up enough to work on it. If the "O" ring that fits around the drain pipe is OK then your leak comes from the lip of the drain. There should be a neoprene gasket directly under the lip of the drain that when the drain is tightened down makes the connection watertight. If the gasket is ruptured it will have to be replaced. If not it's OK to reuse it. Your problem is that the lip needs to be tightened back down. This job should be simple but is complicated by the heating duct. There should be a nut Under there that has loosened up. Tighten it. If you wish additional insurance against further leaks run a bead of Dap Tub and Tile Caulk under the lip before you tighten it down and let it squeeze out. Wipe the excess off with a damp cloth and give it time to set up. To check your repair block off the drain and run enough water in the shower pan to cover it. Now check underneith for any moisture. Good luck, Tom