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Fiberglass shower drain leak
I have a fiberglass shower. The drain sits a tad bit higher than the actual floor of the shower. That means there is always a little standing water in the shower. I got down in there to try and fix it tonight. After drying out all the standing water, I realized that the caulk around the drain was loose. I pulled the caulk out and water came up from around the drain.
I have been trying to dry out the water from under the flooring for an hour now. When I jump on the shower floor, water shoots out from around the drain. I called dear-ole-Dad and he's convinced that I need a plumber to come rip the shower out. Eeeekkk! Please tell me there's some other (cheaper) way that I can get the water out from under the shower floor, recaulk the drain, and level the floor. This shower is on the first floor over an unfinished basement. I can see the drain pipe coming out of the ceiling in the basement but that's all I can see. Thanks so much! Amy |
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Hey Amy,
I hope "Dear-Ole-Dad"'s handy because you have three problems working at the same time and you're going to need help. 1) the drain seal's ruptured and must be replaced. You're lucky! You can open up the floor from the basement and get to the drain. I'm assuming your pipes are PVC if they aren't let me know. Open up the floor under the drain and loosen the large nut,(see image) clean off the old putty seal and make a small rope of plumbers putty or Silicone Jel. Place it under the drain lip and tighten the nut. Clean up any that has squeezed out. If any more squeezed out later go back and snug up the nut. 2) See if the trap can be pulled down a tad to lower the drain so it doesn't stick up. If you can't do that how about cutting a bit off the trap raiser and then couple back with a glued and primed PVC coupling or a shielded coupling,(see image). 3) The seal will rupture again in time unless you bed the floor of the shower base. While you have the floor open is a dandy time to bed the base. Puddle cement mix or mortar under the base especially around the drain. You're blocking it up in spots that "flex" when you walk on it. Let the mix set up and cure before stepping into the shower. Good luck, Tom |
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