I have removed a shower all the way down to studs and foundation. I need to remove the metal flange that fits over the pvc pipe that comes out of foundation. The flange appears to have lead poured in it. I have drilled holes all around. Have gotten some of the lead out, but still can't get the flange off. Do I need to keep taking a screw driver to dig this out? Do you have any suggestions?

Can you post a picture. We do not pour lead on a flange attached to PVC. We do use lead, back in the day, but never on PVC, it would melt. If you are digging out lead you must dig until you pull out the oakum packing, then give it a twist.

Hi guys...

Actually, Bob... we use molten lead on PVC shower drains all the time. Here, we use a brass strainer and then we oakum and pour a lead joint as with any other piping material. Yes, it melts the plastic, but just a bit. It is important to caulk the lead joint while the PVC is still warmed or when the PVC cools and we caulk the joint the PVC can shatter.

In terms of Crummy's answer, I would suggest that you continue to try and pry all the lead up... use a flashlight to be sure you have removed all the lead.

As Bob mentioned, there will be a hard-packed oakum material that is under the lead and that will also create resistance so you want to drill down through that, and pry most of that out as well.

After all that, use a tool like a pry bar to lift one side of the shower strainer and then the opposite side of the strainer until you finally rock that strainer up and off the pipe.

Pop back with questions if you want...

Mark

Mark, thank you for your quite interesting info regarding the lead drain seal. Now, I can see the difference between East and West coasts in plumbing materials and installation processes. Just for your information: the lead installation would never fly in my area. I don't not even know where to buy lead here. Best Regards. Milo

Yeah, having the oldest plumbing in the country does lead to some interesting plumbing situations/practices.

I still do lead work all the time... especially in commercial work. In fact, still have a great old leading/caulking kit with all the fancy irons (including around the stack irons) and 20 LBs of lead... :)

Finally, for what it is worth, next time you get the opportunity to mess with lead and you have some PVC available try pouring a quick joint and packing the lead against a warmed (but not hot) PVC pipe... the seal is really something to see!

Have a great day!

Mark