Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    BuffaloJ's Avatar
    BuffaloJ Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Sep 17, 2005, 08:23 PM
    Tub drain leak
    Hi,
    I have tracked down a leak coming from my upstairs tub but I'm not sure what the proper way to repair it is. I'm a big DIYer but I know nothing about plumbing.

    Here's what I've found:
    I cut a peek hole in the ceiling below the tub and found that its leaking at the connection between the tub drain flange and the PVC elbow it connects to. I unscrewed the drain flange from above the tub and inspected the seating of the threaded PVC elbow/rubber ring and underside of the tub. In the spot where I saw the leak, the rubber ring had a little play. Basically, about 2/3 of the ring sat nice and tight but I could wiggle about 1/3 of the ring around where it leaks...

    Some questions:
    - How should I take care of the fit of the rubber ring? I figure it just needs to be tightned more to compress the ring into sealing but I don't want to crack the PVC in the process.
    - Does the fact that it is leaking from the mis-sealed rubber ring show that the flange is not sealed properly - i.e.. Needing teflon tape and better plumbers putty application?
    - Should I teflon tape when I screw the flange back in? There wasn't any used when I pulled it out...
    - What should I use to seal the flange to the tub - plumbers putty?

    Thanks
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #2

    Sep 17, 2005, 09:58 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by BuffaloJ
    Hi,
    I have tracked down a leak coming from my upstairs tub but I'm not sure what the proper way to repair it is. I'm a big DIYer but I know nothing about plumbing.

    Here's what I've found:
    I cut a peek hole in the ceiling below the tub and found that its leaking at the connection between the tub drain flange and the PVC elbow it connects to. I unscrewed the drain flange from above the tub and inspected the seating of the threaded PVC elbow/rubber ring and underside of the tub. In the spot where I saw the leak, the rubber ring had a little play. Basically, about 2/3 of the ring sat nice and tight but I could wiggle about 1/3 of the ring around where it leaks...

    Some questions:
    - How should I take care of the fit of the rubber ring? I figure it just needs to be tightned more to compress the ring into sealing but I don't want to crack the PVC in the process.
    - Does the fact that it is leaking from the mis-sealed rubber ring show that the flange is not sealed properly - ie. needing teflon tape and better plumbers putty application?
    - Should I teflon tape when I screw the flange back in? There wasn't any used when I pulled it out...
    - What should I use to seal the flange to the tub - plumbers putty?

    thanks

    Hi Buff,

    That PVC elbo is called a tub shoe and it sounds li all you need to do is reset and tighten the drain. I have always used plumbers putty for a seal but you may use silicon jel if you wish. I take a pair of pliers and put the handles down into the cross in the drain then I take a screwdriver and put it between the jaws for leverage and crank that sucker down. As there's hardly any pressure we don't teflon tape the threads on the drain. Haven't had one leak on me yet and I've set a lot of tubs. Good luck, Tom

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Shower drain leak [ 2 Answers ]

My upstairs fiberglass shower doesn't leak when you run water in it, but leaks when someone is taking a shower. I've checked out all possible leaks and it seems the only thing I can figure out is the floor "gives" with the person's weight. How can I fix this without taking the whole floor out? ...

Leak in PVC Drain Pipe [ 3 Answers ]

I recently refurbished the powder room (1/2 bath) in the main hall of our house. Everything went well until I had to deal with the pedestal sink. After some struggle, I finally got the sink attached properly to the wall and the pedestal bolted to the floor. However, after I turned on the water,...

Drain Joint Leak [ 13 Answers ]

Hi. I'm really grasping here and hoping one of you might be able to help without this costing me a fortune. I have torn walls and ceilings out in my house to find the problem and attempted the hardware store advise to fix it but it didn't work. I have a vertical cast iron drain pipe with a...

Tub Drain Leak [ 3 Answers ]

Hello, I hope my problem is a simple one... Our house was built in 1978-79, although we have only lived there for 2 1/2 years. About a month ago, water started dripping through our ceiling underneath our tub. I cut out the ceiling (that was the only option to access) and found that the leak was...

Shower Drain Leak [ 1 Answers ]

I have a 36"x42" fiberglass shower (mfg: Jacuzzi) on the second floor that is leaking from the drain. I have opened up the ceiling on the first floor for access and had a plumber take a look at it. Appaently the problem is caused by a slight movement of the drain when someone steps into the shower...


View more questions Search