Check out some similar questions!

the_hard_way · May 3, 2010, 09:17 PM

I have a 3x5 fiberglass pan installed (built in with framing on top of it) and no way to get the drain attached. Argh. Is there any way to deal with this without ripping out all this work?

creahands · May 3, 2010, 09:55 PM

Not unless u can do it from bottom, like an unfinished basement.

Chuck

KISS · May 3, 2010, 10:46 PM

Or, possibly, put in an access panel.

speedball1 · May 4, 2010, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by the_hard_way

I have a 3x5 fiberglass pan installed (built in with framing on top of it) and no way to get the drain attached. Argh. Is there any way to deal with this without ripping out all this work?

You will have to install a flange type shower drain, (see image). Since the bottom part installs under the shower pan I can see no way to install it without first removing the shower pan. Ya can't get to it from under the floor and you can't get to it from a access panel. Bite the bullet and go back and do the job right. Good luck. Tom

Milo Dolezal · May 4, 2010, 08:08 AM

Is your house on slab or raised foundation ? If on raised foundation than you can do it no problem. Otherwise, bad news: you will have to lift the pan to attach drain head ( by the way... not the one Tom posted, but the dedicated drain head for plastic shower pans ). Then, of course, you will have to run drain pipe away from under the pan connecting with house sewer system. See enclosed photo for correct drain... Let us know how you did... Milo

massplumber2008 · May 4, 2010, 10:24 AM

Hi everyone...

There is actually a shower strainer option for THE HARD WAY guy... called a WINGTITE shower strainer... can be installed from above... see image. The only real issue I'm wondering about is where the drain pipe is stubbed to? If the pipe is stubbed into the drain hole then it should be as simple as purchasing an inside pipe cutter, cutting the pipe down and then installing the wingtite drain. If the pipe isn't stubbed into the shower floor... no doubt that THW is opening up the floor.

I've used the wingtite shower strainer once and really liked it. Check out more info. At: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...26tbs%3Disch:1

Let us know if you need more info. THW... ;)

Mark

Milo Dolezal · May 4, 2010, 10:33 AM

Mark, I have never seen this type of drain before. It is amazing what is out there. Even I have never ran into situation where such a drain was needed - it is good to know it exists ! Thanks for sharing !

massplumber2008 · May 4, 2010, 10:35 AM

I found out about this drain from iamgrowler (now windershins)... came in real handy in a condominium complex where we could not gain access to the unit below without causing extreme hardship for the occupant below.

Have a great day!

the_hard_way · May 4, 2010, 08:10 PM

WOW thanks all of you for the advice. I actually dug under the shallow foundation wall and the slab today to reach under the pan w the drain fitting. It was just an arms length in. Dropped string from inside and was able to pull the drain up to where I could reach it from inside. Pipe was stubbed up to the center hole in pan. I think there's enough flex in it to fit the drain on top. Getting it glued will be interesting, but I think I can do it. Better be able to now that I did all that digging! The wingtite looks really cool. I knew there had to be such a product but nobody at the local supply house had heard of it... I sure wish I had held off on the excavating until I checked on here first!