[sae555]

Planning to remove a fiberglass shower surround, and replace with tiled in shower, when I remove the drain how does the standpipe come into play? Will I have to do anything to the standpipe before I put in the new drain?

[massplumber2008]

Sae555:

You want to start by pulling out the rubber seal at the shower drain pipe if possible (I have used screws effectively before where I screwed into the rubber seal around the pipe then I YANKED up on them and finally pulled out seal. If no rubber seal.. see below--->>>

If that doesn't work... or seems you may break pipe from under unit jerking on rubber seal too much, then will be best to take a sawzall or a jigsaw and cut a 6 inch circle around the shower strainer... then remove the shower unit with sawzall (be careful of WIRES behind wall) by cutting into smaller sections (wear a mask here... ;) ).

Then post back to us to let us know what is under the floor... pics help the most.

Basically, if you plan to install a custom tile shower you need to decide if going custom or prefabricated shower pan here. Each type requires different approaches to the drain.

Here is a link to great info. on building a custom shower pan/surround:

How to Build a Shower Pan

It doesn't cover the drain as much as I would like... but great link. We can talk you through the drain part if you decide on this approach.

Personally, I would recommend using a prefabricated shower pan. Check out this link for more info.:

Swanstone Shower Walls & Floors

You want to plan on setting a pre-fab. Pan in a bed of mortar or similar to reduce flex and creaking... but should follow manufacturer's instructions, of course... ;)

1/2" Hardibacker (or similar... wonderboard/durock) in only way to go for walls if tiling (use their screws to fasten to walls)... check out link:

James Hardie: HardieBacker 1/2'' backerboard

Tape all board joints/corners using "2" wide high-strength alkali-resistant glass fiber tape" and modified thinset mortar. Use the modified thinset mortar for best results with wall tile.

Let us know what you think.. glad to help... MARK

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