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Martyp · Nov 3, 2009, 01:43 PM

I had a new shower pan installed and the drain plate looks like it is not seated flat. It appears that there is a rubber gasket right below the drain plate. I would normally call the installer back but he did such a crappy job remodeling our bathroom, I never want to see him again. Found out he was on meth. Anyhow, does this drain plate unscrew? If so, should I use a sealer besides the rubber gasket?

ballengerb1 · Nov 3, 2009, 01:50 PM

Drains sometimes have screw but you'd see the whole, do you? Many drain plates just have 2 or 3 little tabs sticking down around the edge, that tap slips between the pan and the rubber gasket with some force. Any chance of a picture of it?

Martyp · Nov 3, 2009, 01:56 PM

There are no screws holding the drain plate but there is a notch on each side of the plate. I didn't know if the plate snapped in or screws in. Any ideas?

Martyp · Nov 3, 2009, 02:08 PM

No visible screws but there is a notch on each side of there drain plate.

ballengerb1 · Nov 3, 2009, 02:20 PM

Must be a snap in if there is no screw hole

Milo Dolezal · Nov 3, 2009, 07:53 PM

Post a close up photo of it... with cover on and with cover off. Thanks

speedball1 · Nov 4, 2009, 07:14 AM

Are we talking about a strainer,(see image) or the drain itself? (see image)_

It appears that there is a rubber gasket right below the drain plate.

That's not correct. The rubber gasket installs UNDER the shower base not under the drain lip. (see image) Back to you, Tom

Martyp · Nov 4, 2009, 08:00 AM

Thank you for the answer. Now to fix it. Does it take a special tool to unscrew the drain plate? There are no screws holding it down just a notch on each side of the plate.

speedball1 · Nov 4, 2009, 08:25 AM

Let's get together on terms. By "drain plate" are you referringto the strainer or the drain itself? What material are your pipes and drain made of. Plastic or metal? Please answer my question about the rubber gasket . Let me know, Tom

Martyp · Nov 4, 2009, 08:45 AM

All pipes are plastic. There is definitely a rubber gasket under the" drain plate ". By drain plate I mean the chrome strainer . Evidently, the rubber gasket should not have been installed under the chrome strainer. And the chrome strainer does not sit flat on the shower pan. The pan being fiberglass. I didn't know if this chrome strainer or drain plate snaps in or unscrews. And then the matter of placing the rubber gasket in the right place. Hope it isn't too late to fix this as the shower is completed and the porcelain tiles are alreay on the walls. Don't want to pull the shower pan now.

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 09:13 AM

That is correct: the gasket should be installed UNDER the pan, not on top of it.

You won't be able to remove it from the top. You will most-likely have to get to it from under neath. If you yank it out - the shower will leak.

Is your house on slab or raised foundation ? Is this shower on 1st or 2nd floor ?

Martyp · Nov 4, 2009, 09:32 AM

There is no way to get to it from underneath as the home is built on a slab and the bathroom is in the basement. They had to jackhammer the concrete to install the drains. Isn't there a way to remove the chrome strainer plate from above?

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 09:36 AM

Ok, there is a hope. You may have drain that is installed and sealed from the top. ( not the one that Tom shows in his sketch). Take the strainer off and snap photo of the inside of the drain. Post it for us to see.

Martyp · Nov 4, 2009, 09:38 AM

Does the strainer snap in or turn in? There are no visible screws.

jlisenbe · Nov 4, 2009, 09:41 AM

Tom, I noticed on your first reply that the diagram referred to using either plumbers putty or silicone. Which one is generally used? I would think the silicone would be a lot easier to use.

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 09:52 AM

Martyp: if there are no visible screws than it is Snap-In drain cover. Take flat skinny screwdriver, put it bet. The drain and cover and pop it out.

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 04:18 PM

Marty, to upload photos:

1. click on "go advanced"
2. click on "Manage attachments"
3. click on "browse"
4. select your photo to upload
5. click on "upload"
6. click on "save changes"

Photo will appear

Martyp · Nov 4, 2009, 04:50 PM

Thank you for the tip Milo. Hopefully you get the pics.

Milo Dolezal · Nov 4, 2009, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the photos. It tells the whole story...

Problem: The body of the drain is attached with large nut from under neath. If you somehow take that black washer out, it will create large gap and the drain will become loose. The pan will leak.

I don't see a way of sealing it from above - other then getting under and tightening that nut. My other worry is that that black washer should be installed under neath the pan, between the pan and the nut, and pushed against the pan. That's what seals the drain against leaks. The original plumber got confused and installed the washer on top. That's why it is too high. And of course, that's wrong.

Let's wait for other Experts to join in with their offer opinions...

speedball1 · Nov 4, 2009, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Tom, I noticed on your first reply that the diagram referred to using either plumbers putty or silicone. Which one is generally used? I would think the silicone would be a lot easier to use.

Either one's acceptable. We always used plumbers putty but then I've been retired for over 20 years. Milo's trying to let you down easy. Your plumber goofed and installed the drain wrong. There is no simple repair. The floor must be opened up and the drain reinstalled correctly. Good luck, Tom