Shower drain leak repair.

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

Well I think my best bet would be to cut the drain and get a different drain that screws in from the top. For the mean time I am probably going to make the little hole into a really big hole and tighten the fitting much more than I was able to do the last time I repaired this leak. I will also use something to seal the threads (silicone or loc-tite). I'm frankly more concerned with doing a good job matching the stippling on the ceiling when I patch the drywall.

when you cut the hole in the celling try not to cut straight lines. Its a pain but if you cut the new piece with wavy sides and then trace around and cut the celling hole the same way it makes it hard for the eye to follow the lines.

 

[rbh]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

Block/shim the bottom of the shower from moving.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

If your ceiling was stippled with a stipple brush, there fairly cheap and easy to use. After installing your drywall back on the ceiling, tape and mud with as little mud as possible with 4 inch knife. Next coats will be 8 inch knife, 12 inch knife etc. fan it out wide so it blends in. Get some mud and water it down about 50/50 mix before applying to the ceiling. Fan the stipple out past the patch atleast a foot or two in all directions and you should be good to go. If its a heavy stipple you can use a natural sponge by hand.

Well I think my best bet would be to cut the drain and get a different drain that screws in from the top. For the mean time I am probably going to make the little hole into a really big hole and tighten the fitting much more than I was able to do the last time I repaired this leak. I will also use something to seal the threads (silicone or loc-tite). I'm frankly more concerned with doing a good job matching the stippling on the ceiling when I patch the drywall.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

You guys are the best! I mean that. I understand that the base needs to be supported and I will accept full responsibility if it cracks or leaks again.

I am going to tape and mud the drywall patch but I am hoping that I don't need to sand and create that mess in mt open kitchen as the stippling should hide the seams well enough. I am lucky in that my ceiling has a randomly applied mop and not a nice pattern that would be hard to match up.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

A little update with pics. I opened up the hole just enough to get 2 hands in and use a strap wrench to tighten the fitting. You can see the difference in the position of the nut between the before and after pics. Also you can see that the mold remediation is very nearly complete. Just a few spots on the wood where there were holes that will need to be sealed before drywall goes back.

Before...



After...

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

I'd put an inspection-hatch there and forget about it.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

I'd put an inspection-hatch there and forget about it.

Best idea, so you can check it every few years, just to stay on top of it.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

What could I use as an inspection hatch that also has the wife approval factor from a cosmetic standpoint?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

What could I use as an inspection hatch that also has the wife approval factor from a cosmetic standpoint?

Check local building supply stores....they come pre-built ready for installation in many sizes and styles.
You "should' be able to find one that passes the boss's inspection.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

I don't think your wife would be happy with any kind of access panel on the ceiling. That is not normal and unnecessary. Even with the door you would still get water damage if you had a leak unless you inspect it every day. IMO pack some pre-mixed mortar mix up under the shower floor. The shower floor flexing is not good and eventually the shower will crack. It is not necessary to add alot of cement, a few mounds in the places you can reach will do. Mix it to the consistency of peanut butter. Drywall mud will work too but would get soft if you had a serious leak. I have never seen a access panel to a shower from a ceiling in a living area....I agree with wife...tacky.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

What could I use as an inspection hatch that also has the wife approval factor from a cosmetic standpoint?

I would use a large hvac vent and put something dark behind it so you can't see the plumbing. Inspection hatches are typically used in closets so you don't care what they look like.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

I would use a large hvac vent and put something dark behind it so you can't see the plumbing. Inspection hatches are typically used in closets so you don't care what they look like.

TACKY but hey, I can't see it from my house!!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shower drain leak repair.

TACKY but hey, I can't see it from my house!!

Just less tacky than one of those inspection hatches.