[johnnybeltway]

I need to replace the drain in the shower in my master bathroom (as well as the drywall in the kitchen below but i know how to do that). I have done some research on replacing the drain but I could not find any info on how to remove the existing drain. I have attached 2 pictures, One from below and one from above. Does the portion of the drain on the top screw into the portion below (or vice versa)? I know this seems like a dumb question but i have never had to do this before and I don't want to risk damaging the pipes and creating more of a nightmare. Also looks like no matter what I do I have to cut a bigger hole in the sub-floor to access the bottom part.

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[ben's plumbing]

that looks like a mustee shower base,,,metal strainer is permenant the pipe inserts into the metal strainer then a rubber gasket is tapped into place....it looks like someone used caulking around it ...it also looks like it was reduced from 2" to 1 1/2 which is a no no.. if it is leaking you will have to cut the pipe so you can twist and pull it out...

 

[johnnybeltway]

So if I can I just need to replace the gasket? Or can I remove the strainer and put in a different repair?

 

[Ghostmaker]

Read next post.

 

[Ghostmaker]

Many ELM shower bases installed in homes in the '70s are leaking. While replacement of the entire base is the best solution, EL Mustee has come up with a repair. The original drain is swedged into the shower base. Most plumbers will tell you the drain cannot be removed - that the entire base must be replaced. This is not so. If you have access to the drain from below, you will see a metal band around the top of the drain, up against the fiberglass shower base (viewed from below). Cut the band with a Dremel tool, being careful not to slip and cut the base. Cutting the band will release the entire drain and bell housing. Purchase replacement part EL Mustee (ELM) 42.317A, which can be screwed or bolted into place, making the new drain a permanent repair, saving ripping out the old base. To identify the base, carefully examine the metal plate which lays atop the shower base drain. It has an "ELM" logo on it. This stands for EL Mustee. A phone call to EL Mustee, in Illinois, may prove very helpful. I was received with great courtesy and an articulate response.

As posted by MarkSilber 3 years ago...

Phone for Mustee
216-267-3100

 

[ben's plumbing]

if its leaking around the pipe you only have to remove the gasket and pipe clean it up replace gasket ..reconnect it and test it...if its leaking around the base itself... then... yes you need to follow the post by ghost...

 

[johnnybeltway]

The drain is actually a "Fiat" brand drain but I imagine that the way to remove the bottom is similar so thank you for the response. After I got the whole thing opened up it was very evident that the gasket was leaking not the base as the water is coming down between the pipe and the metal ring. I have de commissioned our shower. As far as I can tell there is no easy way to remove the gasket short of cutting the pipe and re-inserting a new one with the new gasket. Anyone have any luck removing the gasket any other way? Also any advice on re-installation of the gasket would be much obliged.

 

[Ghostmaker]

Try a large flat screw driver between the pipe and the rubber seal. You may be able to pry it out.
Fiat support number
800-442-1902

After you get that rubber out clean the outside of the pipe and hopefully fiat has a replacement rubber seal they can get to you.

 

[johnnybeltway]

So I got the thing out. Presently on hold with customer support hoping to get my hands on a new seal. Fingers crossed! Thanks for all the help.

 

[b-boy]

FYI - I have a similar setup in my basement. My drain is leaking around the gasket. It's about 10 yrs. old. So far I've been unable to find a replacement gasket. I hope you have better luck.

 

[johnnybeltway]

FYI - I have a similar setup in my basement. My drain is leaking around the gasket. It's about 10 yrs. old. So far I've been unable to find a replacement gasket. I hope you have better luck.

I did! They are shipping me the gasket. I'll let you know if it is the right one. She seemed to know exactly what I was referring to.

 

[Ghostmaker]

Will will nobody's dumber then an old plumber..... LOL

 

[johnnybeltway]

Success! I was finally able to install the gasket. Been using the shower for weeks now. No more leak and I can patch the hole in the ceiling.