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    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 2, 2011, 09:33 PM
    Concrete poured down a shower drain.
    20 years ago an inspector poured concrete down what was to be a shower-It was a room over a garage. The pipe is still there and connected to the main (I think) Any suggestions on the least intrusive and destructive was to see where the concrete is?

    Thank You!
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
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    #2

    Jun 3, 2011, 06:03 AM
    Measure the distance with a snake, or small heavy weight on a string, or buy a mini cam on a cable, or cut out the pipe, since it's pretty cheap to replace with a rubber fitting and PVC.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #3

    Jun 3, 2011, 11:05 AM
    Many plumbers will push a wad of paper into the hole and then pour in some concrete. Can you see anything?If you can access the pipe, lightly tap it with a hammer. A hollow sound would indicate an empty pipe, a solid knock the plug. However, the concrete probably flowed and settled. As JP indicated, probably easier to cut the pipe and use a PVC replacement with some Fernco connectors.
    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jun 3, 2011, 11:41 AM
    I cannot find the hole.I looked on the original plans and unless the hole is under the sub-flooring- I don't know where it is. Is there an easy way for me to tell from the garage is the pipe is there?
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #5

    Jun 3, 2011, 05:59 PM
    If it is a drain it should be 3" or so and run from a main drain. Send us a picture of the ceiling in the garage, maybe we can figure it out.
    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Jun 3, 2011, 06:59 PM


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    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Jun 3, 2011, 07:00 PM
    Comment on ma0641's post
    I DID IT!!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #8

    Jun 3, 2011, 08:09 PM
    Unfortunately the ceiling, as shown in the photos, is closed up. It will be almost impossible to find where the concrete is without tearing out the ceiling. From the looks of the photo of the pipe in the wall it is ABS. You also noted that the hole may be "under the subfloor" so you'd have to tear it up too. Were you planning to install a tolet? BTW, I don't see an expansion tank on the HW heater! Are you on a well or city water and do you know if they have installed a check valve on the main line into the house? Brian
    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jun 3, 2011, 08:51 PM
    I am going to do my best to answer you Brian First I do not know what an ABS pipe is. There is already a sink and a toilet upstairs. We are tied into the city sewage and I assume that its bad that you do not see an expansiontank on the HW heater. We have another one for the main house (Hotwater heater.) did I make it better- or are you confused? :)
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
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    #10

    Jun 4, 2011, 05:10 AM

    Hi Hofeling

    ABS is the black plastic drain pipe shown in the pictures... will be what you use to pipe up the shower drain.

    In my opinion, looks like you'll need to open the ceiling up a bit (or floor upstairs if unfinished) and locate the pipe that way. As Ma0641 said, the inspector probably only filled the pipe with paper towels and then poured the concrete so hopefully not too tough to deal with. You may just want to look at the layout of the other fixtures upstairs... should be pretty obvious where a shower would go, you know?

    Finally, an expansion tank is NOT required on most water heater (WH) installations... usually only installed on a closed water systems such as when a sprinkler system, a backflow preventer or a pressure reducing valve is installed on the system. If the water heater leaks out the WH relief valve on occasion, then install an expansion tank. If no leaking from the WH relief valve then no need for the expansion tank, OK?

    Good luck!

    Mark
    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #11

    Jun 5, 2011, 08:04 PM
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    hofeling's Avatar
    hofeling Posts: 7, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Jun 12, 2011, 08:50 PM
    Thank you guys!


    You were all incredibly helpful and really cleared up a lot of questions for me.

    Taking time out of your day to help me out- SO cool!

    Thanks Again_ Michelle
    !
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
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    #13

    Jun 13, 2011, 03:50 AM

    Appreciate you popping back in like that... was a pleasure to work with you!
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #14

    Jun 13, 2011, 10:13 AM
    What did you decide to do? Or try? Brian
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