[mtapgar]

Hi... I've got a stand-in shower stall on concrete. Underneath is 4" cast iron line. How that cast iron is sealed to shower pan I have no idea... But it is leaking. All this setup is probably original to the house... And house is about 40 yo. Am planning on whole gut and rebuild of that bathroom... Just didn't want to do it just yet... So don't want to yank the shower pan (which would mean the tiles on shower walls... Etc etc so might as well do the gut)... So, is there a temnporary fix to seal it up ? I was thinking if something was available similar to this oatey pvc toilet flange with a rubber compression seal that is tightened by ss bolts on inside of drain... Only something like this for the shower drain. Would one exist... Would it work... Is there a better solution... Or do I need to yank the shower pan ?

TIA A lot !

[mygirlsdad77]

Sounds like you have a great excuse to start the remodel job a little sooner than planned. But if you are dead set on a quick fix, could you post a couple pics of the shower drain with strainer removed?

[mtapgar]

Thanks 77... yep kind of figured the accelerator was going to get stuck... but if there's a good quick fix to get me a few more months, thought I'd check.

Not sure if these pics will help. Tried using my microExplorer but I have the standard lense and it's hard to get a good pic at the angle and so close.

I had removed the strainer and also took the hammer/screwdriver and unscrewed the (don't know what it's called) metal downspout. One pic is looking down at drain and the other is of the "metal thing with no name"

Sorry... my complete ignorance of plumbing is showing.

Thanks for the help... if more pics are needed let me know.

[mygirlsdad77]

To be truthful, Ive never dealt with a shower drain assembly like yours. I do see what appears to be quite a few small cracks in the shower base and drain assembly. Only thing I can think of for a short term fix would be to clean the whole area up real good, and use clear silicone to seal it all up from the topside. Let the silicone set up for at least 24 hours and see what happens. Most likely won't last for long term, but might get you a couple months. Good luck, and I hope one of the other pros here have a better solution for you. Let us know how things work out. Take care.

[mtapgar]

Thanks again 77. It would not surprise me that this was a one-of-a-kind install... as I am completely convinced my house was an owner completion by someone who (believe it or not) actually knew less than I do... I kid you not ! I could fill this forum with all the oddities I find every time I try to fix or change something.

I forgot to mention... the drain line clogged up about 10' down the line and caused this drain to run slow. When water backed up into the shower pan it also leaked heavily all over the bathroom floor (and all other sides of the pan). What a mess. I rodded the drain line and cleared that and water flows fine now... and no more leaking from under the pan as well (since it never backs up to pan... just flows down drain). So... I assume that whatever was originally done to seal underneath the pan to around the cast iron line is leaking.

Based on what I recently found sealing the toilet in that bathroom to it's 4" cast iron line(changed that all out a month or 2 ago.. and that was a nightmare as well)... I suspect some type of rubber boot or something was used and it either rotted out, tore, or got displaced or something.

I know... the only way to know for sure is pop the pan and fix it right and for good... and we're back to me running in circles trying to avoid that right now if there is a decent short term fix.

But I appreciate your time, suggestions, and interest in helping.

If any other ideas are floating out there by some experts... would most definitely appreciate them.

[massplumber2008]

Mtapgar

If that strainer assembly (downspout) is threaded I would recommend that you put some silicone under the lip of the strainer and then screw it back in.

It seems to me that the strainer is missing the sealant, so I'd add the sealant, screw it back in place and then let it dry 24 hours and test the job.

Sound reasonable?

Mark

[mtapgar]

Hi Folks,

Well... I tried the sealant option and it doesn't seem to have worked. I suspect whomever originally installed this 40 or so years ago did some type of Saturday night special... and who knows what is under the pan and how it's sealed to the cast iron drain line. No doubt however that was done... it has a major gap or opening now cause the water flows considerably from under the pan when the drain line is plugged and water backs up (used old towel to plug and test).

So... big sigh... looks like I'm tearing everything up. Probably for the best anyhow.

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions... Much appreciated.

[massplumber2008]

Thanks for the update! Be sure to pop in to discuss installation of the new pan, OK?