How hard is it to move plumbing for a shower drain?
Question:I want to switch out my square shower with center drain to a neo angle corner shower with a drain in the corner. This doesn't seem like it should be hard as I'll have the pipes exposed once the old shower pan is removed. Is a plumber really necessary?
Answers:
As long as you understand what is meant about finding centers of drains. You can change the location of the drain from above most of the time if you are doing the change over a finished ceiling below.
Things you need to watch out for is if your new drain is going to be on a joist (not good) or not. You may want to fur a wall one way or the other to miss the joist. If you have to go through a joist make a hole just slightly larger than your drain pipe so that there is room for expansion contraction. If it's tight it will tic at you until the heat is gone and the pipe comes back to room temp.
The height of the floor on your new shower and type of shower fitting you buy. Base for a base should be close in height, but base for modular you will probably have to raise the drain some. The shower fitting should probably be one with a rubber Ferrel that will slid down around the outside of the pipe and then most likely it will have a thin inner nut that screws in and compresses the rubber around the pipe.
Not knowing what your trade is or what your skill level is the main thing and only you know that.
I have been in new home and repair all my life and even thought I am a plumber I do all my carpentry, hardwood/ceramic tile flooring, drywall, roofing and electric. I don't do carpet.
good luck
If you know what you are doing...no, it is not hard. If you have never worked with plumbing before, I would advise you to get a DIY book, or ask alot of questions from someone who knows before trying. The potential for later problems when you seal up that wall is far greater than if you were to pay a plumber to do the work for you.
http://www.plumbing.com
If you are on a raised foundation and have access to your drain pipes, it's not too difficult. But if you have a concrete slab foundation, you will have to break it up after you remove the current shower pan. Good Luck.
Sounds like you have some knowledge about the subject. I was going to answer but realized there are so many variables that I couldn't in this space.
You will need to use an appro. cutting tool or be able to disconnect galvanized pipe (if someone used that ). The rest, whatever you use, is just leggoes. Be sure all fittings are appropriately sealed.
You can interrogate some store clerks for info. You can get one or two books, tapes, etc. If you are a person who is physically strong enough, you can do it fairly easily.
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