How To Repair A Shower Drain

Practice you desire to set up a leaking shower drain without the fuss of taking out the pan? Then you lot've come to the right identify. Yous'll discover the simplest instructions for this DIY task in this article!

Here's how to fix a leaking shower bleed without taking out the pan:

Remove the drain cover
Discard the compression gasket
Remove the shower drain body
Make clean the rim of the drain
Install the new gasket
Screw in the new shower drain body and seal it with putty
Remove any excess putty from effectually the drain

Fixing a leaking shower bleed on your ain doesn't have to be an expensive nor complicated job. Only if yous're completing this task for the first time, take a look at what's coming up adjacent.

You lot'll see a more than in-depth explanation of the previously listed steps. They'll guide you to ready your leaking shower without calling a professional!

chrome shower drain — Fixing a leaking shower drain isn't as costly as you might remember

Fixing a Leaking Shower Bleed Without Taking Out the Pan

So you've spotted a yellow stain or mold running beyond the ceiling. And where is it? Slap bang under the shower unit upstairs. There'south only one thing information technology could be. A leaking shower drain.

At present I know what yous're thinking. Anytime you hear the give-and-take "leak" mentioned at home you automatically become a bad feeling in your stomach. How much is information technology going to cost this fourth dimension?

Merely there'south good news. Fixing a leaking shower drain doesn't have to exist an expensive job. It'due south even possible to exercise information technology without taking out the shower pan. Yup, that ways no ripping up the tiles and no redecorating costs.

Take a look at the steps mentioned below that will fix you lot on the right path to fixing your leaking shower drain. To get you started, here's a list of all the tools you'll need for the job:

A #2 Phillips screwdriver
A flathead screwdriver
Groove pliers
A hacksaw
A rag
A cleaning castor
A new gasket (common at most hardware stores – make sure you lot become the right size)
Plumber's putty

ane. Remove the Drain Encompass

To begin, remove the metal drain encompass from the drain. On some drains, yous might be able to flip the cover off with a flathead screwdriver. On others, you'll accept to remove the screws. If this is the case, put the screws in a prophylactic place so that you can put the encompass back on later.

two. Discard the Compression Gasket

Use the pliers to remove and discard the compression gasket. Clip the pliers ane on each side of the gasket. Turn it counterclockwise until it has come loose. Then pinch the gasket on one side with the pliers and pull it out of the drain.

Unthread and remove the large pinch nut from the drain with the pliers.

three. Remove the Shower Bleed Body

Here comes the fun function. Utilise the hacksaw to make two vertical cuts approximately one inch apart through the body of the drain. Then utilize the hacksaw to cut through the bleed flange.

When cutting the drain flange, be careful not to cut into the shower pad! You should as well make sure that the blade doesn't get through the pipe riser!

Tease the one-inch slice out of the drain using the flat caput screwdriver. Yous'll then be able to clasp and tease the remainder of the shower drain body out of the drain.

Remove whatever plumber'due south putty from the outside of the shower drain torso. You tin can use the flat head screwdriver or just your hands to remove the putty.

iv. Clean the Rim of the Drain

Once you've removed the shower bleed body, you will accept exposed the rim of the pan. Don't worry, even in the most spotless of showers, this rim volition be filthy. Make clean the rim thoroughly before standing. You can use a rag to clean the rim.

Clean the opening of the drain with a cleaning brush. This will remove whatsoever debris that could cake the installation of the new gasket.

v. Install the New Gasket

Spring for joy as you're halfway in that location! Here comes the easy installation part.

Slide the new gasket into the opening. Information technology should sit on the center of the drain body'south rim. Use your fingers to spread the outside of the stainer torso with plumber'south putty. Make sure that in that location is plenty of putty under the rim of the strainer.

6. Spiral-in the New Shower Drain Body and Seal It With Putty

Screw the new shower drain body into the opening. Plow the new shower bleed body clockwise until it has tightened into place.

7. Remove Any Excess Putty From Effectually the Drain

Use a putty knife to wipe abroad any backlog putty from the drain. Y'all can tidy it up with a rag. Exit the shower unit to dry out overnight before using it.

The next day, return the drain cover to the drain.

Advantage yourself with a nighttime in on the sofa. You'll enjoy peace of mind now yous know your ceiling won't leak every time yous shower. Hurrah!

What Causes a Leaky Shower Drain?

A leaky shower drain creates issues in the bathroom. Merely it also opens upwardly a tin can of worms in other areas of the house. A leaky bleed tin:

Dampen the ceiling and insulation
Rot the ceiling beams
Discolor the ceiling
Get a breeding ground for mold and cause respiratory bug and allergies

Unfortunately, the longer these problems are left, the harder information technology becomes to fix them. This can in time pb to bigger and more than expensive repairs. Then you may be wondering, what makes your shower drain beginning to leak in the get-go place?

Take a look at a couple of problems that cause shower drains to leak. You lot will also see some fixes beneath that will assistance y'all to sort the problems.

The Problem	How to Set up the Problem
Leaking Traps – All sink and shower drains lead to traps. Over fourth dimension these traps can begin to leak. There may fifty-fifty exist a minor crack in the trap itself which would lead to a leak.	– Tighten the slip nut with your hands. Then give it an actress tighten once over with a pair of small pliers. – If tightening the slip nut doesn't work, remove the trap. Supersede the rubber washers if they have gotten difficult or they have deteriorated. – If the pipes have rusted, replace them.
Loose Strainers – Strainers in the bleed can go loose over fourth dimension. If they are not continued properly to the drain they could trigger a leak.	– Bank check the connections in the drain. If they are loose, tighten them. – If the strainers are croaky, replace them.
Rusted Connections – Leaks are sometimes due to loose or rusted water supply connections. This could be the fault of bad installation or simple wear and tear.	– Check the h2o supply connections. If they are loose, tighten them. Some connections will go along to leak fifty-fifty when they are tight. This is because they take developed pinhole leaks effectually the connections. Pinhole leaks could develop due to the age of the system. In this case, replace the connections. – If the connections are rusty, replace them.

Bated from the shower drain, leaks tin can likewise offset in other parts of the shower. Here are some other areas that could start to leak:

The solder connects of shower valves
The faucets
The gaskets and springs around the inlet holes
The cartridge or brawl valves

leaking faucets — Faucets are a common place for shower leaks

Now that'south likely got you lot wondering, how tin you fix a leak in these parts of the shower? Take a wait at some of the quick fixes mentioned for these problems.

The Location of the Trouble	How to Fix the Problem
Solder Connects of Shower Valves	– Tighten the connections – Replace connections that are old and rusty as these may have developed pinhole leaks
Faucets	– Replace the rubber gaskets in the faucet – Supervene upon the washers in the faucet
Gaskets and Springs Around the Inlet Holes	– Replace the gaskets and springs – Supplant the washers in the valve
Cartridge or Brawl Valves	– Inspect your cartridge or ball valve. If it is cracked, replace it.

Conclusion

Finding a leak in the shower bleed is a bit of a nightmare. The only thing that'due south worse than the initial discovery is thinking about how much a professional repair volition toll. That'south why this article has gone through all the steps you demand to gear up your shower drain. I hope y'all have been able to fix yours without the hassle of removing the pan.

If this commodity has helped you, then why not check out some of our other articles and gratis guides? You could even sign upward to our email listing!

Have a great day!

-Craig