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lelylady · Aug 20, 2008, 11:21 AM

I've just cut open the thin plastic hole under the concrete where my builder had pre-plumbed for a shower in the basement. I asked him specifically if there was a p-trap for it in place and he confirmed it. Well, have a look at my pictures. Under the floor is only a box, with some kind of pipe sticking up out of the dirt, with dirt in it. I thought I was going to install my shower drain today, but it looks like I'm missing something important! How do I solve this. Will I have to break up the concrete, take out the plastic membrane that he installed, then build up a p-trap. The way it is now, there's really not enough surface to attach the shower drain to anything, and the water will drain into a mud pit. HELP!:(

speedball1 · Aug 20, 2008, 11:36 AM

First off Lady you pictures failed to come through.
I don't know how new your builder is to the trades but the plumber left you with a tub dap-out and not a shower rough in.. We do not Dap out for a shower, we leave a 2" pipe sticking up out of the pour. Since I don't have pictures you're going to hafta answer some questions. Is the pipe in the box vertical or horizontal. How far from the wall is it? What shower drain? Do you mean the shower base? Befrore we go any farther I have to know what type of shower you're planning on installing. A custom tile shower or a manufactured shower base and enclosure. Regards, Tom

lelylady · Aug 20, 2008, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

First off Lady you pictures failed to come through.
I dunno how new your builder is to the trades but the plumber left you with a tub dap-out and not a shower rough in.. We do not Dap out for a shower, we leave a 2" pipe sticking up outta the pour. Since I don't have pictures you're gonna hafta answer some questions. Is the pipe in the box vertical or horizontal. How far from the wall is it? What shower drain? Do you mean the shower base? Befrore we go any farther I have to know what type of shower you're planning on installing. A custom tile shower or a manufactured shower base and enclosure. regards, Tom

Sorry about the pictures. I'm still trying to figure out how to post them. Any advice on that front would also be helpful.
The pipe in the box is vertical. It sticks up about 1" out of the dirt, which is 14" below the plastic membrane. The pipe in the ground is about 2" from the wall (that the builder put in). The drain hole is 6.5" from the wall. Yes, that does look like a tub setup. I'm installing a tiled custom shower, and it's okay with me if the drain is over there. The shower inside dimensions are 3x5'. I have a 2-piece shower drain. The top part screws into the bottom part after all concrete, shower pan membrane and tiling is done.
I think I've found out how to upload the pictures. Have a look.

speedball1 · Aug 20, 2008, 12:22 PM

I don't need the pictures, ( they didn't come through any way) you have given me enough to go on. Dig down past that vertical pipe and I bet you'll find a trap down there and that vertical pipe's a trap raiser. I hope the shower drain you purchased is a flange type drain,(see image).
If you're happy with the spot the drain's in at the present time and the trap raiser's sticking up out of the floor level you may fill the dap out with dirt and patch the hole with cement. If you don't the drain will have nothing solid to set on. Let me know what you find down there. Do you need instructions on how to pan for a shower or will you be purchasing a ready made pan?
We'll work with you on anything you wish to do. Good luck, Tom

lelylady · Aug 20, 2008, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by speedball1

I don't need the pictures, ( they didn't come through any way) you have given me enough to go on. Dig down past that vertical pipe and I bet you'll find a trap down there and that vertical pipe's a trap raiser. I hope the shower drain you purchased is a flange type drain,(see image).
If you're happy with the spot the drain's in at the present time and the trap raiser's sticking up out of the floor level you may fill the dap out with dirt and patch the hole with cement. If you don't the drain will have nothing solid to set on. Let me know what you find down there. Do you need instructions on how to pan for a shower or will you be purchasing a ready made pan?
We'll work with you on anything you wish to do. Good luck, Tom

Yes, your image of the flange type drain is what I have.
So, you're saying that I need to open up that 2" hole in the plastic membrane so I can dig down around the pipe? I don't need the plastic membrane later?

I would prefer to have the drain centered in the shower. Is that still possible with this pipe 2.5' away? I'm assuming that I'm going to have to put a p-trap in under there connecting to this pipe.

speedball1 · Aug 20, 2008, 12:58 PM

I think you already have a "P" trap installed. Yes, clear the plastic out of there. With a custom tile shower the drain can go anywhere. That's what makes it "custom". Now you have to clear away the plastic covering and check to see if the trap's there. Do you wish to break up the cement and move the drain? Regards, Tom

lelylady · Aug 20, 2008, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by speedball1

I think you already have a "P" trap installed. Yes, clear the plastic outta there. With a custom tile shower the drain can go anywhere. that's what makes it "custom". Now you have to clear away the plastic covering and check to see if the trap's there. Do you wish to break up the cement and move the drain? Regards, Tom

Yes, I'd like to move the drain over. So first, I'll dig down to find out if there is a p-trap. Then I'll let you know what I find. I'll see if I can get to it today. If not, I can't until Saturday.

Milo Dolezal · Aug 20, 2008, 07:33 PM

I just want to agree with Tom, and others. We never install trap inside "Tuff Box". Trap is usually installed at the time of installing tub or shower.

Can you post a photo for better visual ? Thanks !

massplumber2008 · Aug 21, 2008, 03:26 AM

Lelylady... if you just remove the cap from the pipe and pour a 1/2 gallon of water into the pipe and then shine a flashlight down into the pipe AND you see standing water then you have a trap installed... ok?

This should save you the trouble of digging anything up at this time anyway... ;) Of course, you will need to dig down anyway if moving the drain up to 2.5' away!

Keep us all posted...

MARK

speedball1 · Aug 21, 2008, 05:16 AM

Rule of thumb. Vertical pipe in tub dap-out = trap raiser
Horizontal pipe in tub dap-out = Drain pipe, no trap.
We always install install a trap and raiser in our tub dap-outs. We center the raiser 15 1/2" off the side wall and 1 1/2" off the front plate for a tub rough in. Regards, Tom