Shower drain hook up.

[alpito]

In my basement, I recently took out my 32 in shower surround. I am putting in a 48 X 34 inch shower surround. I noticed the drain which connects to the waste drain will be in a different place, so the main line in the basement floor will have to moved to accommidate the new shower drain position. I have never done this so am leaning to hiring a plumber. Is this prudent? What will it take for him/her to do this. Is this the only fix? It seems if I tried to rig a diversionary pipe from the new shower position to the main floor receptical that it would be under the shower pan. Then I couldn't do anything to seal a potential backup or leak. Am I right? Thank you. Al

[Mr T]

You'd be better off trying to move the shower to meet the new drain. It sounds like you will need to pull up concrete to move it. Probably not a do it yourself project

A off the wall idea, and I dont know what code has to say about this (input anyone?) Is it somehow possible to make a base to raise the shower 2-3 inches in order to give you the clearance to make your connecting pipe that you were talking about. You only have 8 inches to go, so not that much slope will be needed. The hard part will be supporting the shower evenly at all points. Its been a while since i looked at the bottom of a shower, but i think theres only a few points where the shower touches the ground, other the the perimeter. And i dont know if theres any distance limits from your drain to the trap. If you dont have a decently high basement ceiling, this is definatly a no-go. This could be something that you can do yourself. If you are putting tile down on the floor, it would be easy to conseal the stepup. Just a idea

[BigFred2004]

I have a similar dilemma. My basement was pre-plumbed for a tub, with the stub-out about 4 inches from the wall. I am putting in a 36x36 shower, and need to move the stub out to the center of the the pan. I have already broken out the concrete down to the vapor barrier, but the stub out is buried deeper than that. I assume it leads directly into an elbow for a vapor seal. I would prefer to avoid doing a major excavation. Can I pipe two elbows in series, ie put an elbow directly under the shower pan drain, with an extension over to the existing stub out? This would entail about a six inch extension from the new drain/elbow to the existing plumbing. Or can I simply run a 90 deg from the new drain, extend it over to the old stub out, and use another 90 deg to connect, making sure the slope is correct for drainage? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Piper]

I have a similar dilemma. My basement was pre-plumbed for a tub, with the stub-out about 4 inches from the wall. I am putting in a 36x36 shower, and need to move the stub out to the center of the the pan. I have already broken out the concrete down to the vapor barrier, but the stub out is buried deeper than that. I assume it leads directly into an elbow for a vapor seal. I would prefer to avoid doing a major excavation. Can I pipe two elbows in series, ie put an elbow directly under the shower pan drain, with an extension over to the existing stub out? This would entail about a six inch extension from the new drain/elbow to the existing plumbing. Or can I simply run a 90 deg from the new drain, extend it over to the old stub out, and use another 90 deg to connect, making sure the slope is correct for drainage? Any advice would be appreciated.

It would work, but it won't meet code. Most tub drains are 1 1/2" pipe, a shower requires a 2" drain and trap.

[Piper]

In my basement, I recently took out my 32 in shower surround. I am putting in a 48 X 34 inch shower surround. I noticed the drain which connects to the waste drain will be in a different place, so the main line in the basement floor will have to moved to accommidate the new shower drain position. I have never done this so am leaning to hiring a plumber. Is this prudent? What will it take for him/her to do this. Is this the only fix? It seems if I tried to rig a diversionary pipe from the new shower position to the main floor receptical that it would be under the shower pan. Then I couldn't do anything to seal a potential backup or leak. Am I right? Thank you. Al

To save money you could break the concrete and dig the trench and have a plumber just do the piping.

I do not see any code problem with MrT's suggestion if you have the ceiling height.