Shower Pan Repair

Bakerman

Hello,

I need some help/suggestions. I have a shower drain leaking over a long period of time and finally decided to repair it. I found out that the drain and shower pan are a one piece unit,( Fiat). In order to fix it I need to remove the entire shower pan and replace it.
I guess my question is this can I (should I) attempt this myself? The townhouse I live in is 30 plus years old and starting to require some serious repairs here and there. Most of them I can do but this one problem seems pretty big to me.
I thought I could just get a new drain kit but it will not work for the following reasons. The shower drain is adhered to the pan and the guy who installed it used liquid lead solder instead of a gasket to seal the drain. Thereby warping the PVC pipe.
This requires cutting the existing PVC and putting in a new drain assemble with a new shower pan. Probably removing the existing ceramic tile as well and replacing that if possible.
If I can't do this myself does any one have an idea how much this would cost to hire a contractor? It is a small 10X4 bathroom off the master bedroom.
As of right now I had the area where the lead solder was filled with a silicone caulk to see if it stops the leak. If not I am in deep doo-doo.

Thanks for any help replies etc.

Bakerman

joecaption

Question is do you have the tools and know how to do it.
If it's been leaking a while then the floors also going to need to be repaired.
No likly there's solder holding that drain in place, there would be nothing to solder it to.

Bakerman

Thanks for the reply. I have some tools. I have already cut the ceiling below to assess the damage. Thankfully the lumber around the leak did not get damaged.

Javiles

I have seen professional plumber install liners that leaked or were installed incorrectly (failed inspection)
Best to let a pro, take care of that, get it permitted and inspected. The inspector is there to protect the homeowner be concerned of plumbers who advise not permitting a job that requires a permit, Shower pan work along with the tile work can be expensive. You want to it right one time. Also make sure that after its passed inspection the tile guy doesn’t come in and damage it. Good luck

Bakerman

To answer further I have some know how but I have not tackled a job like this. Hence the post. Hiring a professional would be expensive but approx. how much? I'm not planning an oasis type bathroom. Just a shower stall and maybe a re-tile, due to the age of what is there now I would never get a match.

Permits and such wouldn't be an issue.

In regards to the rest of the bathroom I know I can replace the toilet I have done this more times than I care to remember. The sink might prove to be a new experience, vanity and medicine cabinet not so much. That would pretty much complete the job.

Also I can do the demo work myself. I just would be unaware of whatever pitfalls I might encounter. So my real concern is the shower stall and pan itself. The PVC connection would have to be re-done as well. Which leads me to another question can I remove the existing connection and replace it with out redoing the whole trap etc?

oh'mike

If you have access from below---Pry out the lead---cut the pipe or P-trap--replace--add a rubber drain gasket and you will be back in business--A plumber can do this or we can walk you through the job.

As to redoing the entire shower---your best call on that is to find a couple of respected contractors and get a local price---

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Bakerman

Oh Mike,
Thanks for the reply. I DID hire a plumber to fix this. He said he couldn't do it. Because the shower pan is a Fiat. I guess this means it is fixated to the pan itself. I was going to go at it with a cutting tool remove the PVC and apply a drain kit. When I suggested this to the plumber he told me I had to replace the whole pan.

I know he was a plumber cause he cost me almost $400.00!. All he did was drill out some of the solder and caulk it. Now I'm pissed ! Did I get taken or maybe this guy didn't know what he was doing?

He told me he had been a plumber for 20 years...........

Bud Cline

Before you get carried away with a lot of useless speculation how about posting a picture of the pan from the top side and the drain assembly from the bottom side. This should be do-able for you but let's see what you are into first.

Bakerman

I'll try to post some photo's tonight. Until then useless speculation is all I've got

Bud Cline

Yow...that, and an invoice in the amount of $400 for doing nothing.

Bakerman

I know I wish I could have been there. That is what comes from not being present. I thought I had been clear enough but I guess I wasn't. Any way I will try to re-coup some of that when I can get the plumber back on the phone. Funny how they won't answer...................

Bud Cline

Yow it's kinda difficult to talk on the phone while sitting in the banks drive-thru depositing your money and talking to the teller.

TheEplumber

You can always count on Bud to liven up a thread

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Bakerman

I prefer Macallan to Bud.