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soxie13 · Dec 18, 2011, 11:46 AM

How do we remove an existing shower drain that cannot be accessed from the room below. It appears this shower drain/cover screws right in, but we are unable to budge it. Is there a special tool?

massplumber2008 · Dec 19, 2011, 05:28 AM

Hi Soxie

Are you removing a shower strainer or do you want to remove the entire shower drain assembly?

If you are removing the strainer then you should be able to POP the strainer out using a screwdriver (stick in holes and pop upward).

If you want to remove the entire shower drain assembly I need to know what kind of pipe is attached to the drain... PVC, ABS, cast iron, copper, galvanized? Let me know more, OK?

Mark

soxie13 · Dec 19, 2011, 08:20 AM

Good Morning Mark and Thanks for your response. I am replacing a Shower Drain with Stainless Steel Strainer. The pipe is PVC. The top did pop off, then there was the brass piece that seems to screw into the shower basin. That is the piece that I cannot get out. I figured there must be a special tool to unscrew that piece so the new one can screw in, but when I went to Home Depot, the one that they said I needed was too short in diameter.

massplumber2008 · Dec 19, 2011, 08:31 AM

Hi Soxie

It sounds like you need a specific SPANNER WRENCH to remove that COMPRESSION NUT (see picture).

If the one sold at home depot didn't work you could always go over to a plumbing supply store and see if they'll sell you a brass shower drain (with spanner tool)... can return it after you "borrow" the wrench... ;)

Otherwise, I have made my own spanner wrench over the years using 3/8" threaded rod, any strong metal flat stock, stuff like that carried on my truck that I can cut with a hacksaw and make fit, you know?

Apparently, there is also a tool... see image below. It may work if the tines measure the same as yours. It can be found here:

Easiest plumbing store to order Drain Tools from

You can also take a small steel chisel (or flat head screwdriver) and set it into the grooves of the compression nut and hit the chisel with a hammer to try and loosen the ring that way.

Hope that helps some...

Mark

PS: The shower pan gasket goes underneath the shower base...this picture is wrong in terms of that. Silicone or putty goes inbetween the shower pan and the strainer assembly!!!