Shower drain trap installation

These cleaning procedures should be carried out each time you clean the shower stall to keep the bathroom in good condition at all times. For new bathrooms, locate the P trap in the center of the shower and as close to the shower drain as possible.

The steps to installing a shower drain trap are as follows:. Use an electric saw to cut the subfloor around the drain of your bathroom. Use a prybar to open up the floor under the square cutout. Connect the P-trap to the horizontal section of the drain pipe using a connector and glue. Make sure the other end of the P-trap faces upwards and is directly under the shower drain.

Put back the square subfloor cutout into the floor then measure the distance between the subfloor and the P-trap. Cut a pipe with this length and with the same diameter as the end of the P-trap. Reattach the shower drain and the drain cover. Vent pipes are pipes connected to the sewer line in the home where gases from the sewer escape to the air rather than entering the home. Vent pipes work hand in hand with P-traps to keep sewer gases away from the house.

The P-traps in toilets, sinks, and shower drains prevent the gases from getting back into the house while the vent pipes allow the gases to escape to the air outdoors. This also balances the air pressure within the pipes. Some of the common shower drain P-trap problems include the following:.

Solid items, calcium build up and others may cause clogs in the shower drain. You should unclog the drain with a plunger or by pouring in it a cup of baking soda followed by 2 cups of white vinegar. Rinse with hot water afterward. Enzyme-based drain cleaners can also be used to unclog the shower drain.

Prevent clogs in the shower drain by installing a drain cover that keeps out larger objects and dirt from entering and clogging the drain. A P-trap is only good when it has water in it. Make sure you pour water into the shower drain at least once every week to maintain the airtight seal. Another cause for a dry shower drain P-trap is a leak. For this one, replace or repair it with glue meant for pipes. Your email address will not be published.

You want to make sure all your edges are flush, so the subfloor fits nicely back in once the job is complete. Once the square piece has been removed, cut the drain off with a saw right after the P-trap.

You can throw this piece away. When attaching your new P-trap to the end of the pipe, you may need to use a reducer if the pipe coming up from your shower floor is a different dimension than your new P-trap and your drain. The reducer allows you to transition from one size to another. When attaching the reducer and the P-trap, spread a high-quality glue on the inside of them, and then attach them firmly.

Make sure you get the P-trap in the right location. Reattach the square subfloor piece and then measure the distance the from the P-trap to the subfloor. Again, make sure you use plenty of glue and attach it firmly.

Once all the piping is connected, you can then reattach your shower drain. Author Recent Posts. Mike Bailey. Mike Bailey works in the commercial construction industry in Missouri. Insert the pipe into the fittings; reassemble all the pieces being careful to line up the alignment marks and gluing the fittings and pipe together.

Support the pipe and fittings with pipe support hooks or plumber's strap. Use small nails to attach hooks or strap to the house framing. Place support at least every 4 linear feet.

Allow the glued joints to dry overnight and run shower to test for leaks. If you see water dripping from a threaded connection, take that connection apart and apply a thick coat of plumber's thread sealant to the threads and gaskets.

If the leak is from a glued pipe joint, make sure the outside of the pipe is very dry and apply a couple of thick coats of PVC cement all the way around the outside of the connecting seam. Tom Dennis has been writing technical as well as faith-related articles and curriculum since He has been a licensed plumber for more than 30 years with much experience in home projects.

By Tom Dennis. Related Articles. When connecting to old threaded fitting, in addition using to pipe dope, wrap a few windings of candle wick string around the threads.