Bolt Down Shower Drain with Stainless Steel Strainer - flange with weep holes bolts on body over the shower pan liner - 2" x 3" ABS body (view dimensions by clicking here) - fits over 2" Sch.40 pipe and inside 3" Sch.40 pipe: $22.87 : ABR-407: Low-Profile Bolt Down Shower Drain with … Make a mark on the pipe at the appropriate height, remove your shower base, and cut your pipe. Installing a shower pan can be done on your own, but it’s a little more labor intensive and requires several more steps and materials. If you’re planning on replacing any of the piping below the drain, make sure to choose a piece of PVC pipe that fits. Ferguson is the #1 US plumbing supply company and a top distributor of HVAC parts, waterworks supplies, and MRO products. In that case, start by pulling out the old shower pan and removing the old drain. Most shower drains are designed to receive 2-in. Rough plumbing bathroom violetdecor co venting plumbing fixtures and traps 21 parts of a bathroom shower what is a drain stack in plumbing quora plumbing for a separate shower and tub How To Plumb A Shower Drain Diagram MycoffeepotRough In Plumbing Bathroom Evandecorating CoRough Plumbing Bathroom Violetdecor CoBuilding SHow To Plumb A Bathroom With Multiple… If your home has three-inch drainpipes, it pays to pick up a box of size-adaptable drains to have on hand. Trying to extend the pipe while you’re working overhead in a tight space is both time-consuming and physically challenging, so it’s often quicker (and simpler) just to cut out the entire drain trap and replace it. ABS can handle cold temps better, but also contains BPA and sensitive to sunlight (which shouldn’t matter in your shower drain). The drain should come up to ¾ to 1 inch below the lip of the shower drain. Need a part from the store? If you have a compression drain cover, it will be relatively easy to remove with a screwdriver. A 1-1/2-inch drain trap is often permitted for a shower, but a 2-inch trap will ensure quick flow of water and will be less likely to clog. These applications require a drain that has weep holes, such as the Oatey 2-Inch or 3-Inch PVC Shower Drain (available at SupplyHouse). The snake will collect hair and gunk clogging the drain, and then pull it back out of the pipes. The plumbing code calls for the transition to be made with a reducer directly below the shower, nowhere else. PVC is white; ABS is black. Each linear drain length and width is engineered to achieve the best fit, form, and function in a tile shower. Even though it’s a pretty straightforward installation, you never know if you’ll encounter issues and if you have to rush through it, you are likely to miss an important step or have your shower out of order. Using a Plunger. PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride, and ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. A 2-inch drain pipe is better. Alternatively, you can cover the hole with a return-air grill that can be easily removed if you need to access the plumbing at a future date. Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila, Sioux Chief 2-Inch JackRabbit Shower Drain, The Best Winter Camping Destinations in America, All You Need to Know About Walk-in Showers, Video: 3 Fixes for a Clogged Shower Drain, Waterproof Gadgets to Revolutionize Your Shower Experience, 10 Stunning Showers to Give You Bathroom Envy, A Tub with a View: 10 Bathtubs on the Edge of Heaven. It's often white and it rests between the strainer and the drain pipe. While price is often a determining factor when it comes to home improvements, try to find a shower drain that looks like it’s well-made. With a two-inch drainpipe, the body of the drain fits over the pipe; with a three-inch pipe, it fits inside. While you could spend money to have a plumber install a new shower drain, it’s easy enough to do on your own. Calculating the slope of you… … If the clog gets large enough, it will cause … If you see copper pipes, don’t be alarmed; you can still install your shower drain and use PVC piping. These types of drains are best suited for plastic, steel, or fiberglass shower pans. If you’ve ever looked at a PVC pipe and noticed something that resembles purple dried glue, that’s PVC primer, and you use some before you finish the installation. Required fields are marked *. Kohler Elliston Toilet Review: Is This the Best Throne for You? When you’re thinking about replacing your shower drain, it’s a good time to inspect the shower pan. Even though a shower drain is a relatively small plumbing part, it’s an important one that may need replacing when you own a home. If you can’t find a way to remove the nut or reach the pipe to cut it below the drain, you may end up having to pull the shower base out so you can access the drain from the top. (It’s usually much easier to get a screwdriver in a tight spot where bulky water pump pliers won’t fit.) Before we discuss the steps of a shower drain installation, it’s a good idea to talk about some of the signs that may indicate that you need to replace your shower drain. Step 9. Shower Drain. To ensure that water will be able to flow through the weep holes, place several handfuls of pea gravel around the base of the exposed drain to protect it from the next layer of mortar. “As the age of the shower increases, so does the likelihood of problems during installation,” says Daniel O’Brian, the technical expert for leading online plumbing retailer SupplyHouse.com. Best Bio Bidet for You: Finding the Perfect Machine to Get You Clean. Creating room for the drain slope, as well as for a P-trap installed in the drain line beneath the shower, necessitates using an elevated shower base. Effective drain cleaners will keep your P-trap clean, but they could damage your pipes if you use these products too often. A compression style shower drain attaches to the drain pipes with compression nuts and washers. Fernco's shower drain connectors are used by professionals nationwide. Continue this motion until the shower drain body is loose enough for you to unscrew with your fingers. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. While glue-on drains are relatively easy to install, it’s important to make sure that you have the right size pieces (and double check the fit) before you glue the drain down. A clogged shower drain is a nuisance, especially if it happens frequently. While most showers are only designed for one person at a time, it’s always a good idea to have someone on hand to help you out. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Shower only units require a 2-inch drain and P-trap. Tiled showers offer another complication: Because grout can crack, it’s important to have a backup plan to catch any water that might leak through. Compression fittings are easier to use, particularly if you’re a DIYer, but it’s important that you install the fittings correctly to ensure a tight seal and are long-lasting. Best Budget: Liquid-Plumr Pro-Strength Clog Remover Hair Clog Eliminator. Add To List Click to add item Sioux Chief 2" PVC Inside Pipe Drain to your list. Drywall replacement is a relatively simple home repair project, so cutting a hole in the ceiling shouldn’t be a major concern. Because of this construction, a cemented-in shower drain cannot be replaced unless the tiles and the mortar around it are also removed and then reconstructed. In most cases, you won’t be able to avoid cutting through the ceiling below the shower to gain access. Shop shower drains and a variety of plumbing products online at Lowes.com. Although linear shower drains are popular and unique, they require a little more time and expertise. Tighten the compression nut inside the drain body with a screwdriver to seal the connection, then snap the strainer into place. Your email address will not be published. Be warned: Balancing the shower base while you align the drain body over the pipe will almost certainly require the help of an additional person. The types of home drain pipes that are most typically seen today are either made of copper or the plastics polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). To allow adequate drainage from the shower to an up-flush system, the shower must be elevated. “Always check with local codes,” O’Brian suggests. Shower floor is getting remodeled or re-tiled, You want a different style of drain cover. Having another person around to help can speed up this DIY install even more. Unlike standard drains that solvent weld or attach with a nut, the JackRabbit drain attaches via four jacking screws from below. The compression and glue-on drains are easy to install, and you don’t need to be a plumbing expert.Compression Shower Drains. If you take these precautions, once the shower floor has been tiled, any water that makes its way to the membrane will exit through the weep holes and down the drain rather than leak out elsewhere. Years of daily use can result in needing to replace new plumbing parts, and a common part is the shower drain. “If a leak is present, you’ll probably have to replace the drywall on the ceiling below as well as the drain, and you should take care of it as soon as possible to minimize damage,” O’Brian says. Replace and install the shower drain when you have time. For example, pouring chemicals down your shower drain in an attempt to clear it up can pull gunk off the side of the drain before the clog. It’s also important to note that we will only be discussing how to install a shower drain in a stand-alone shower, not a bath/shower combo (as the plumbing setup is different). PVC primer helps to soften the PVC pipe so that the outer the pipes will “fuse” together tightly and have an even seal. A shower drain should pipe directly to a shower outlet, and a tub drain should pipe directly to a tub outlet. Then, install the membrane over the mortar bed (and over the drain base) and cut out a section over the drain hole in order to attach the center part of the drain, on which the weep holes are located. Now that you’ve removed the drain cover successfully, make sure you have all the parts you need before continuing. To install, attach the base of the three-part drain to the drainpipe before the first mortar bed is smoothed into place. To make it a little easier, and give you as much information as possible, we will discuss shower drains (regarding drain covers) and some of the plumbing that’s attached to the drain. by The Plumbing Info Team | Installation, Resources | 0 comments. Tighten the drain base and then attach the drain cover. It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally when you cut through the ceiling below the shower you find wiring or pipes that prevent you from getting your water pump pliers firmly on the nut that connects the drain to the pipe. A slope of less than 1/4-inch per foot will cause constant drain clogs and a slope of more than three inches will allow the water to drain without the solids. Most compression drains are available in PVC, ABS, or brass. Family Handyman. Don’t feel comfortable with this step? It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally when you cut through the ceiling … The shower pan consists of a waterproof membrane that seals the shower floor. While you may be stuck with this unanticipated problem, you can prevent it from happening in the future by installing an outer locknut-style drain, such as the Sioux Chief 2-Inch JackRabbit Shower Drain (available at SupplyHouse). This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. If you’ve already shopped around for tips on shower drain installation or just a shower drain, you might be a little confused. Keep in mind that shower drain assemblies are generally made to fit a 2-inch drainpipe, not the 1 1/2-inch pipe usually found on tubs. Whenever you’re installing a shower drain with welded connections, you have to cut the drainpipe to remove the old drain. You may need to use some additional piping or attachments. Luckily, most shower drain odor and clog issues are easy to handle. A two-inch pipe is more common because it allows water to drain more quickly, which is essential when you have a shower pan (rather than a tub). Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com. A serious drain blockage may even result in bathroom flooding, or leaks developing as standing water may seep through shower joints. The first step is to remove the old drain. Most drains are made to fit a two-inch drain pipe, which is standard for most stand-alone showers. Before You Install A New Shower Drain Home plumbing snakes may also end up pushing the clog further down the pipe, rather than pulling it … Install the Sanitary Tee. An unpleasant odor emanating from your drain is a further sign of a blocked drain, and may be caused by the debris which is clogging the inner walls of the pipes. Replacing a shower drain isn’t usually a difficult task, but it always pays to be prepared for complications before you start the job, especially as every project is different. That debris then adds to the clog and makes it worse. This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse.com. Remove the gasket before the shower base is set. If you’ve never replaced your shower drain, had any work done on your shower, or live in an older home, you might have older copper piping. After the shower base is set, tighten the jacking screws from below to suck the flange downward until it seals against the shower floor. Shipping For best results, follow the directions on the back of the container of primer. If you notice some cracks or leaking in the pipes, you might want to consult with a professional plumber before you proceed with the drain installation. Before you purchase a new shower drain, it’s best to inspect the pipes to make sure there are no cracks or seals that are broken or missing. They reduce the time and cost on installation because no special tools, gluing, threading or lead caulking are required. In addition to this, you can also pour a safe yet effective drain cleaner down your drain from time to time. - Drains 1 1/2 in, Shape - Drains Square, Drain Material Brass, Grid Material Brass, Color - Drains Chrome, Connection - Drains Screw, Length - Drains 6 1/2 in, For Use With Showers, Standards ASME A112.18.2, CSA B125.2 Your email address will not be published. A well … Once you have the primer on the pipes, you will line up the drain base with the pipe; keep in mind that this is easiest to do with a compression drain rather than a glue-in drain (but both can be done with relative ease). Buy on Walmart. The only time you won’t need to cut through the ceiling below the shower is when you’re replacing both the drain and the shower base. Collect hair and gunk clogging the drain without removing or altering the shower Tight. Tub and shower combinations will require at least 30 seconds a box of size-adaptable drains to have on hand you. Suited for plastic, steel, or brass plunger drain pump to all... Pipes and when to Call the Pros drain length and width is engineered achieve... Snap the strainer and the drain, you can use a plunger drain pump to push all the in., nowhere else should have been a simple drain replacement turns into a major.... 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