[Dave Ermeling]

I'm installing a shower while finishing my basement. The framing is 61" wide. I've got room for 32" to the back wall. The drain line is not centered and is about 5" from the center of the shower area. How do I hook into the drain line without having a custom shower pan made since the drain is not centered? I'm trying to keep the cost down. I've got a few bids on installing a custom cultured marble base and side walls but it's a bit more than I had expected. Is there a way to run the drain line below a premade shower surround base but on top of the concrete floor?

[Milo Dolezal]

Looks like you are trying to put shower where tub used to be. Anyway, drain doesn't have to be exactly in center. Some people like it off center. However, I think, 60"x32" is one of the standard sizes of shower pan.

Check around if somebody makes 60"x32" shower pan with drain opening close to your drain position. If you won't find any, than you have three choices:

1. You can raise the floor to accommodate drain being relocated to the center.
2. Break the concrete, move drain, install high-density plastic shower pan
3. Leave drain where it is. Install curb and PVC liner.

By raising floor, you will have high step going into shower. You will be able to use pre-fab shower pan of your choice.

If you utilize PVC liner installation, you will have uneven slope between drain and walls. You will have to tile the floor.

I think breaking concrete is the best way to center your drain. With drain in the center, you will have equal slope between drain and walls achieving symmetrical look. Here, you can also use any pan you can get since you will have the freedom of moving it to any location within your designated shower area.

[Dave Ermeling]

Milo, it's a new installation, no tub replacement. We had the plumbing roughed in when house was built. Anyway, I'll look around and see if I can find a pan the size I need. Don't think I'll find one really. I think I'll probably just bite the bullet and pay for the cultured marble pan and walls and just install it all myself. Your answer is kind of what I figured as far as my options. I hate the thought of breaking concrete and I just don't really want a big step up. Not sure if I have the guts to try to create the curb and PVC liner and tile.

[ballengerb1]

The pan Milo is talking about is a Swanstone 3260 retro but I don't think you have a tub lay out. A tub lay out would put the drain about 8" from the end wall and it sounds like you are about 24". Unless you settle for a smaller shower that is centered on this off center drain you will need to go custom. Wonder what the plumber had in mind when he did the rough in, they usually don't make a mistake like this.

[Dave Ermeling]

ballengerb1, I'm not sure how they got it so far off. They also put the pipe for the toilet drain too close to where the shower has to be. That's why I had to have a custom shower base made that's 31" x 60" to keep 18" from the toilet drain to the shower.

[speedball1]

That's why I had to have a custom shower base made that's 31" x 60" to keep 18" from the toilet drain to the shower.

They do make a shower base with those measurements,(see image) You may have to move the trap and raiser to hook up wilth the drain. Good luck, Tom

[ballengerb1]

Tom, I'll bet that's a Swanstone 3260R. I have install several of those, they are a snap. I have folks now asking for a higher quality pan that is less pervious to staining so I'm reasearching. Any suggestions?

[speedball1]

I have folks now asking for a higher quality pan that is less pervious to staining so I'm reasearching. Any suggestions?

You ask? I deliver! How about a Molded Cultured Marble 30 X 60 shower base? Check it out at; Culture Marble Mold Package - Extra Extra Large
regards, Tom

[ballengerb1]

Thanks Tom but unless I'm mistaken that links is to a place where you can start your own mold factory. I just want one. LOL