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rwex50 · Jan 31, 2006, 10:17 AM

I am in the process of purchasing a rather expensive shower drain and strainer assembly for my upcoming bathroom remodel. I am being asked whether I want a Hub or No-Hub drain. The contractor is sub-contracting a plumber who said tell them they'll probably use PVC pipe, and whatever is necessary to make the connection is what I want to purchase for this drain.

That's not very specific, and I prefer not to spend $300 to find out it's wrong. Can anyone shed light on this subject for me?

Also, should I ask that they use copper versus PVC to do the installation? My house has copper pipes in the walls.

Thanks in advance for your input!

speedball1 · Jan 31, 2006, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by rwex50

I am in the process of purchasing a rather expensive shower drain and strainer assembly for my upcoming bathroom remodel. I am being asked whether I want a Hub or No-Hub drain. The contractor is sub-contracting a plumber who said tell them they'll probably use PVC pipe, and whatever is necessary to make the connection is what I want to purchase for this drain.

That's not very specific, and I prefer not to spend $300 to find out it's wrong. Can anyone shed light on this subject for me?

Also, should I ask that they use copper versus PVC to do the installation? My house has copper pipes in the walls.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Whoa! You're putting out $300 for a shower drain assembly and you don't know what to buy? Now that's going to take some explanation. Are you sure you weren't referring to the entire shower base and enclosure? If the plumber uses PVC, (which I recomend) the drain type that you'll need is a no-hub PVC Solvent Weld drain. This drain slips down over the 2" raiser from the trap and simply glues in place. Since you failed to inform me what type of shower that it going to be, (custom tile? Shower base and enclosure?) I can't be more specific. PVC will outlast copper in drainage or water pipe. Good luck, Tom

rwex50 · Jan 31, 2006, 12:44 PM

The shower will be custom tiled.

If you want to see the drain I'm talking about, he's what it looks like:

http://www.remodelogue.com/remodel/a..._drain_st.html

Thanks again for your reply!

speedball1 · Jan 31, 2006, 01:26 PM

Unless this shower drain will be used in a dap out on a cement floor with no shower pan your plumber's going to love you. What's the hub opening on that grate you call a shower drain? What diameter will the trap and raiser have to be?
Since this looks like a simple caulk on fitting with no shower pan flange, what are you planing for a shower pan? I have to agree, it's a neat looking fitting. If installation instructions came with it would you care to share?
Let me show you what a PVC flange type shower drain, (see image) for a custom tile shower that's located anywhere but on a slab. Please tell me where this shower will be located. Regards, Tom

rwex50 · Jan 31, 2006, 02:18 PM

Not sure of everything you're asking. A "dap out on a cement floor"? Not sure exactly what the hub opening is from the Waterworks diagram I have. The measure on the widest part, which looks similar to your picture, is 9-1/2". Again, hard for me to know what the trap and riser is exactly. I'm a computer software demonstrator, for gosh sakes!

The contractor is making the shower pan. This is our 2nd floor master bath in a 20-year-old home. The whole room's only about 6'x9' give or take a little. But it's being completely gutted and remodeled for an ungodly amount of money since I can't do the work myself.

In all honestly, most of the drains I have found look ugly and basic like the picture you posted above (no offense!). I figured if I am spending this much on a bathroom, I want every bit of it to look high-end.

Here's something I also found that probably doesn't require a lot of custom work to install, since it's basically just a cover, and it's a lot less $$. What do you think of #231:

http://www.brasstech.com/brass_detai...m?CategoryID=4

speedball1 · Jan 31, 2006, 03:59 PM

A dap out is a recessed area in a cement floor for a tile shower. I mentioned a slab installation because that is the only instalation that doesn't require a shower pan. I was asking how large the pipe the drain connects into has to be. The drain you've selected looks like a caulk on shower drain usually used in showers without shower pans. You say the contractor's making the shower pan? Two questions! Is the contractor aware of the drain you've picked out and if he is how does plan on sealing the pan around the raiser from the trap? That's the pipe from under the floor the drain connects to. I have looked at the link you gave me but failed to see any shower drains. All I saw displayed were chrome strainers. May I ask, who's running this show? Sounds like you and the contractor with the plumber left out of the loop. Has the shower design been finalized yet or is this still a work in progress? Regards, Tom

rwex50 · Jan 31, 2006, 04:22 PM

Lots of questions, and I appreciate that. The connection is to a 2" copper pipe, which if I'm not mistaken, is where the PVC is used between the drain and the 2" pipe. Right?

Yes, the contractor's plumber is making the pan, and my contractor called the plumber yesterday to ask him whether we needed Hub or No-Hub. He called me back and said, to paraphrase, that it could be either Hub or No-Hub, and to tell them (the hardware company that is supplying the drain) that he can use copper or PVC, although he prefers PVC, and whatever the proper drain is for that application is what to purchase. Don't know how he plans on sealing the pan around the raiser from the trap. While I know this is a good question, it's not something I would think your average homeowner would know in a remodeling situation. Or am I a major dummy (leaving myself open!)?

The shower design is finalized, although not as part of a architectural drawing. I basically received a fairly tight sketch of the shower space, measured out, with the tile design and fixtures to be put in the shower. The drain is being purchased independent of this, though. I worked with a home supply company for the materials, that offers design services. I hired the contractor independently since he has worked on other rooms for people in my family, and I know he's competent.

The chrome strainers I directed you to would be to replace the original drain assembly in question. When it comes right down to it, the point is what you see on the shower floor, not in the actual drain and what's under the floor. Sure, longevity and quality are important too me, but the asthetics is what I'm after. If using a standard drain beneath the surface is a better choice, maybe I just go with a $28 chrome strainer for the shower floor and let the plumber pick out what's below it.

Hey, again, thank you so much for all this info. It's a great education!

stew_1962 · Jan 31, 2006, 05:38 PM

This is by NO MEANS a recommendation - but there's some movies on this site that might shed some light on what you're getting into:
http://www.schluter.com/english/prod...802-index.html

rwex50 · Jan 31, 2006, 07:51 PM

That was interesting stuff, and the person on the video was definitely an expert. I still can't make the precise connection, though, partially due to all the trademarked names/systems presented. The distributors shown are 90% Home Depot, where the contractors they offer are Joe Anybody, and I doubt most are not what you see in this video.

Anyway, my last question was if I purchase the strainer assembly from Brasstech, does that give the plumber the leeway to decide what's beneath it and I can let them do their job more easily?

Thanks, Rob

stew_1962 · Jan 31, 2006, 08:16 PM

OK - I can't exactly answer your question, as I don't have full details on your drain. Maybe Tom can help?

But, look at the attached pic. Note the strainer is sitting essentially on top of the drain assembly, with a "snout" that extends down into the drain line.

If your strainer assembly fits into the drain the plumber wishes to use - you should be OK, if they fit together properly.

Do you have the strainer assembly? Can you show it to your plumber/tile installer? He should be able to tell you how he plans to make them work together.

I'm quite interested in the outcome of this thread - as I am planning a similar shower install myself. This is why I pointed you to that site, as I'm planning on using that approach ncluding the drain system, as it is more appealing to me, being rectangular and easier to cut the tile in the floor to fit. Also, it looks to me like a more substantial apparatus than the chrome strainers you typically see.

I'll be following this thread until you decide, and use that to help me make my choice as well.

Thanks and good luck!

speedball1 · Feb 1, 2006, 07:57 AM

Rob, I think Stew is definitely on to something here with the Kerdi-Drain.
This is the first time since I've reading your posts that I've found a raiser seal for the pan that would accept the type of grate/strainer you wish to install that I'm comfortable with. The only other options would be a Flange Type shower drain or doing away with the pan and " hot mopping" the floor. And yes! You, as a homeowner, should be very concerned about how the plumber plans to seal the pan from leakage. It's going to be your ceiling the water drips through if it leaks. You should thank Stew for his research. I know I do and have added his information to my data base. Thanks Stew! Tom

rwex50 · Feb 1, 2006, 03:31 PM

Guys, I do appreciate the feedback. Said it several times already. The video was really interesting, but I think I'd be fooling myself if the guy doing my bathroom is nearly as meticulous as the demonstrator in the video. Although it makes me worry he won't do the job he needs to do. So more questions have come up here than have been solved.

I guess you're saying the raiser seal would allow for the installation of the Brasstech strainer I sent. Simple answers for a simple guy, please. I think I should rule out the other $200 drain assembler due to all the issues you pointed out. I'm OK with the strainer to add the look I want to achieve in the shower. I'll ask the other questions of the plumber when I actually get to him through my contractor. Thanks again!

stew_1962 · Feb 1, 2006, 07:37 PM

While the demonstrator is meticulous - the technique is what's required to achieve a leak-free shower installation.

If you are not believing the installer is going to be as thorough, be prepared for a shower downstairs. Don't be fooled - a good installer will do all of the above; I used to work with a man that installed ceramic tile like Mozart played piano - all with a 2nd grade education! I was AMAZED! His technique was an art to watch...

You watching the video is like learning a 2nd language. As I understand , your intent is to understand what is necessary to be prepared for him. He's doing the work, you just need to have the materials that you wish for him to use.

I think you're taking the right approach, his technique and understanding of what's necessary to achieve a leak-free installation is what you're paying him to do. You select the materials you want him to use, provide the necessary installation instructions, and let him do the job as the material selection you make requires.

All that said - I want in my shower what you want!

A clean installation with the cosmetic appeal your selected materials offer. Your focus should be on selecting an appropriate craftsman - put some trust in his capabilities and experience. I'm confident that you're doing what is required to get what you want - the extreme details is what you get in selecting the right tradesman to do the job.

Ask to meet with the tradesman that is going to do the work - go over what you want him to do and what materials you want him to use. Use your best judgement by watching his understanding of the materials you've selected - and how he reacts to your choices.

Good luck - and please, let us know how it turns out!