SHOWER DRAIN ON CONCRETE SLAB

[@StarrTile]

*IF THIS WAS HELPFUL PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO ME PATREON OR PAYPAL..THANK YOU !* www.patreon.com/starrtile for Patreon or [e-mail] for PayPal

[@sina1329]

hi. dont you need a p trap?

[@chriskjeseth4575]

@@sina1329 the trap is below the surface of the dirt.

[@michaelturley2540]

Finally someone with a good video on a slab. I have a old early 1970's home with a very small fiberglass stall shower that is old and cracked with a cast iron drain. I am going back with a tile shower. So if you ever see a slab floor with cast iron drain do a video of that.

[@paulalexander7093]

Finally a video about THE DRAIN in a concrete basement floor

[@martytruelove5026]

SCHLUTER HAS THEM

[@Ladyfoxe]

Getting a tub to tiled shower done and no one told us any of this and the plumber did the piping for the shower system but did not do this work as he said the tile guys would set the drain where they needed it. WHOA NELLIE, That is not what the tile people wanted to hear so we are having to go back in ourselves ($500 already paid out to plumber) and do this, so your video has really cleared things up a lot for us!!!!! Key point from this is most people are not familiar with this project do not realize that bathtub tubs are 1 1/2" piping and Shower drains are 2" pipes.. It made very difficult to figure out what we needed and where to get it, as there didn't seem to be 1 1/2 shower drains to match up to what you actually have!!! Thanks for the video!!! :)

[@theige01]

Common practice in slabs is to use a 2“ to 1.5” reducer which are easily found/ bought at HD/Lowes or plumbing supply or even Amzn. Shower drains are 2” and tub waste lines 1.5“ so reducer needs to be used in slab situations. If not slab like on raised foundation or second floor where the waste line is accessible , according to most codes you are supposed rerun the waste line to a 2” pipe for the shower. In any of this work, your shower drain material needs to match the waste line type - which will be black abs or white pvc pipe and fittings, using the related glue type for the pipe type.

[@Tatman1212]

Hey Bob...sorry to hear there are haters on you out there....those people don't have any appreciation for all the free advice you offer. Like you said, many get rich off YT ads but not you. This is exactly why I supported you on Patreon. If I called a tile/shower guy on the phone, he would charge 75-100 just to come out and look at my issue. Then...the real charges would start. I appreciate you man and I have used many of your techniques and recommendations on my jobs with awesome results. Thank goodness for your generosity. By the way, I am a retired firefighter so we are brothers! Keep up the great work.

[@kevz3740]

Subscribed. Looked at countless conversion videos and this one nails the reality and practicality

[@godackgudalach1]

I'm doing a stand up shower in a basement of my home right now. Thanks for showing me how that setup is supposed to work with a tile shower. I am having major issues from what the previous owner had done. But thanks to people like you posting videos im getting it done one problem at a time. Thank you!

[@timblessing5164]

Hey Bob, I’m a plumber and I watch your videos to get a better idea of how to plan my plumbing as it comes to tile. Also I just like the trades :) I wanted to let you know that the way you altered the drain is illegal in any state, may have been illegal before you got there too but nonetheless. It also didn’t appear that there was any p trap at all, obviously this is not good. It would have been more work, but not too much more, to bust out some more floor and do it properly. Not hating, just telling you as I would want to know. Thanks for the vid, peace

[@MrDaltofrevr]

Thanks for the upload. I am confident to tackle this myself. I am very grateful for people like yourself to document and upload. Good work practice, good videography.

[@JCC56]

Definitely alot of work reworking drain on tub to shower conversion, I dread those jobs. Great instructional video.

[@theuber4618]

Thank you so Much! I'm tearing out a leaker now - along with the flooring and walls that are covered in mold. This video advice is saving me from a lot of future grief!

[@joefowler3106]

He finally did at 15:53

[@krisone63]

Great advice, I always wanted to know about moving a drain. I have a job in the future of retroing a shower where the tub is being removed and the drain is too close to the wall for a decent and symmetrical pitch. Thank you so much for making this video ! I have some ideas now and appreciate your work.

[@AwsumWun]

Turn them ads on! You should be getting some of that monies too. Only takes a min and most of us are use to watching them in KZbin vids now anyway. Helpful vids. Thank you for sharing!

[@Gibson_Branch]

I am in this exact situation right now, except I took the tub out myself and still have an open hole in slab with the drain pipe under grade. (no jack hammer needed). Thanks a lot!

[@stephengrenfell1732]

I can't agree more with your view on sharing your knowledge. That's what you pay a skilled craftsmanship for, his KNOWLEDGE, that will lead to a beautiful end result. No on should give you any flack about promoting yourself

[@wheelie707]

I think the way you dealt with that was spot on sir. The Dremels and inside pipe cutters are life savers. Lot of back and forth to and from the job to not get to put in your time with tile.

[@waltercp49]

I’m currently in the same predicament. But unfortunately I had to use two quick 90’s in order to make the transition from bathtub to shower drain. Placed a 1 1/2 quick 90 onto the pipe right before the trap and used and adapter from 1 1/2 to 2”. But now you got me thinking as to why is it not good to use quick 90’s. However this was the only way to get it done in the tight space I was working in

[@judithcourtney8574]

Sad they didnt have you just go ahead and finish the tile work , great video and glad you take pride in your work

[@ssni6769]

Well this was incredibly helpful. My shower drain was built for a fibreglass unit, and it's slanted... so for my tile shower plans, I need to smash the floor & fix it. Your vid made it look easy.

[@ohokayofficial]

I just busted thru concrete for the first time… it was life-changing being able to see the dirt 😂 Interesting find though, but thankfully the p-trap is 2”!! 🙏🏽 (converting to shower) It’s just what the heck am I going to do to get it all connected now 😂

[@thomassavage527]

The guy is doin a great job...extra effort, will look nice .

[@lissaklopf9337]

in my 40 yrs. as a licensed plumber i'v never seen it done it this way. i'm hoping you verified that there was indeed a p-trap under that dirt. good luck friend.

[@StarrTile]

If there was not a P-trap under the dirt they would have had a lot more problems with their tub before I took it out.. I believe I was 17 in from where I started with in code for extending the drain

[@LHAGYALO258]

still you are learning from him

[@spitsoutfeathers9990]

why is he continuing to use 1.5" pipe and such? i eliminated all that and replaced with 2" P-trap and all 2" to the existing 2" pipe, no marbles were possessed by those who ran 1.5" off existing 2" under the slab

[@eusoj50]

Those crying about your patreon stuff need to just close their eyes and stop learning from you. It's that simple.

[@realtrillion]

I'm joining your patreon you have helped me on several occasions. Worth a few bucks a month! Thank you Bob!

[@StarrTile]

And thank *YOU* sir

[@j.zacarias3242]

Great video and explanation. If asked I apologize in advance. But does the entire run to the "main" line including the p-trap not meed to be 2 inch? I'm looking to install a precast/plastic shower surround and didn't know I could reduce from new 2 inch shower drain to existing 1.5 inch tub drain line.

[@btomas225]

NO! Mine is 1 1/2 inch...Read my comment above.

[@j.zacarias3242]

@@btomas225 does it matter if the p-trap is at the shower pan drain or right before the main line, p-trap into the main line with the1.5" run from the drain.

[@LarrySbrusch]

Very good video...I will put it to practice...I have two drains to install in a new home build..Thanks

[@diannhazelton9808]

This was a great video i don't think you have any reason not to ask people to donate. Got me feeling excited about working tub. This isn't even my issue but excited none the less. I'm about to binge on your videos lol

[@BonjeaniRobbins]

THank you for you time and effort, and this advice is worth way more than 12 a year!! or 60.00 for that matter :) Haters gonna hate. you rock!!!

[@karenferguson4613]

I thought it was a good video you answered the questions that I was looking for I think it was a good video

[@suebard7]

The music after 13 minutes I definitely recognize. The theme from the movie Exodus. Wow.

[@jasonmushersee]

i've only done this 1 time and did end up with a puddle ;( as much as i tried to get the correct slope pouring the cement it was not easy. rented a 14" concrete saw opened up the shop floor 4'x6'. set in forms, did the pour and had to leave clearance for 1/2" thick 6"x12" tiles & thinset. installed sand trap floor drain inside & bottom of a 2'x4' 18" deep catch basin with custom fabbed up metal floor grate. know how hard it is to lay tile in straight lines when the 14' x 24' shop floor has a 2 1/2 degree slope? not easy

[@timothymorgan9531]

I'm building a shower from scratch on a concrete floor, I'll have to replace shower drain with the kind you used and everything else, wish me luck

[@c7adventures376]

Hope it went good. Im doing the same thing. Dirt and under slab work is done. Im just about ready for the pan and tile work to start. 👍🤠

[@jimheflin1446]

Getting ready to do this in my house. Thanks for the awesome video

[@realryandugger]

This is why tile guys should not make plumbing videos. Your just asking for it. Pressure 45. Not drainage...you already broke the concrete why not find the 1 1/2 trap and make it right. The main topic of vid is 1 1/2-2in transition. 2" trap is plumbing code for a shower in every code in the USA. If your watching this and are attempting or having this done please insure the 1 1/2 trap is found and replaced with a 2inch trap.

[@StarrTile]

Anybody watching will *NOT* be digging 3feet to 5feet looking for a trap where it T's into the main so they can be sure they are "code". You know and I know that a shower uses way less water than a tub dumps 4 gpm or more as opposed to the shower that exists now @ 1.5 or 2 maybe without a restrictor, so drainage will def not be an issue...but book soldiers will always freak out regardless...and many trades cross over and started doing plumbing in 1987 and tile only since 1999 plus I've seen plumbers set liners wrong, set backerboard wrong, even attempt tiling a shower and did crappy work. I'm responsible for the entirety of my work, my customers never need to track down 3 different ppl if anything goes wrong and over 20 years later nothing ever has 👌🏻💯

[@realryandugger]

@@StarrTile 3 feet? Really? Obviously you have never taken the time to find one of those traps. You think the plumber is going to set a trap 3 feet deep so he can dig it out when its time to set the tub. There is a 2 inch elbow down there that comes up to an appropriate depth a 2x1 1/2x 1 1/2 Sanitary Tee with the vent off the top and the trap off the branch. I know for a fact a 1 1/2 trap can handle the volume. The problems are; 1.) that you create a bottle neck in the pipe where every little bit of hair and debris will hang up on, 2.) you have added extra non drainage offsets that make it super hard to snake when that undersized line clogs. 3.) Its just laziness and bad info your spreading as if you know what your talking about. I have to snake tile guys plumbing jobs often and it makes my life harder and the home owners bill larger because of the extra time it takes to get past that stupid bottle neck and through the non drainage fittings. Next time take a little time dig down an extra six inches and do it right or don't post it or expect to be confronted on the hack job.

[@realryandugger]

@@StarrTile Not to mention the guy glued the pipe with primer only it looks like from the way the fittings popped apart but you trust that first 45 above the trap?

[@gungraveheat7860]

Thank you

[@nomen_meus]

@Ryan Dugger said, "2" trap is plumbing code for a shower in every code in the USA." Not so. While the UPC does require 2", the IPC (& thus the IRC) allows 1-1/2" if the total shower head/bodyspray water flow is less than 5.7gpm. See IPC Table 709.1. Of course different localities may amend this. Also, later in the video, you'll see that a proper DWV 45 was used.

[@danthecarpenterman9463]

Usually those floor drains are done in 2.5 inch abs around me , and the square drain is a nicer look and a lot easier to tile around

[@jwd215]

In America? 2" in Pennsylvania

[@danthecarpenterman9463]

Yes my mistake , lol 2 inch abs and a 4 inch square drain cover . And that’s in New Jersey

[@williedakiid]

Brilliant video big man. I have a job very similar to do but the tub waste pipe is above ground level.

[@xXBuckOFiveXx]

Off topic but I just wanted to chime in on the glue and screw cement board to plywood sub floor debate. I was redoing a 1 year old tile floor last week. The reason it failed was because they spot bonded the cement board to the sub floor leaving about a 1/8"-1/4" gap throughout the floor so it flexed and cracked like crazy. I have never had such a hard time getting up 80 sq ft of tile. I had to cut out and replace squares of sub floor where they spot bonded. I'm a general contractor and I don't do a lot of tile work myself, so I was a little skeptical about not gluing but now I've seen first hand its totally not worth it to completely fuck over the next guy.

[@williamstebe3855]

The music alone is fantastic! Gramatik?! Getting ready for a build for myself. Looking to do a very large curbless 16:35 shower very helpful

[@davidater9]

How thick is the concrete pour above the pan liner? Is it normal concrete? Is it 2 inch? Is there a minimum? How long to cure? Also, the weep holes in the drain flange...When a tub is draining slow/backed up, does it cause water to enter the weep holes?

[@DerrickFishes]

I’m guessing whoever did this was planning to fill up the whole shower bed with mortar or concrete. I’ve seen it done like that on smaller showers but this one would require a lot of mortar

[@btomas225]

Umm, at 17:00 and again 19:11 you show a 2x 1 1/2 inch bushing BUT if you use a flush bushing you will be able to use a 1 1/2 inch 90 degree street elbow into the flange and make this whole setup as low in profile as possible. Also, in hindsight, at the beginning of the video you commented as to why the curb was so high. Welp, look at the initial height of the drain and then you'll "get it"! By the way, these comments are for those watching these videos years later. I know these are old videos.

[@CD-hc5ds]

Thanks for the informative video. Question: can you use the Kurdi membrane in the same fashion as the rubber liner? Im going from 0" (floor hight) to 1.5" to the drain & the rubber membrane is a PITA! I'm thinking Kurdi would form better

[@StarrTile]

Yes you can use Kerdi, check my last video I posted Friday... there is a time and a place for everything

[@decanterus8561]

Absolutely right... this is like a master class in doing it right tks

[@spitsoutfeathers9990]

great vid but, why is he continuing to use 1.5" pipe and such? i eliminated all that and replaced with 2" P-trap and all 2" to the existing 2" pipe, no marbles were possessed by those who ran 1.5" off existing 2" under the slab

[@luisLopez-uz3mv]

Thank you for your time sir.

[@missme9197]

Don't even address your haters that's what they want they want to get in your head just keep doing what you're doing don't ruin your video by dwelling on those fools thanks for the video great job

[@danisback2505]

The rule of thumb is 1/4 raised for every foot away from your drain? My shower/tub is 4ft away from the drain which would mean a 1" slope .. I feel like that would be super uncomfortable to stand in

[@hugolagrandeur1523]

Is there a reason why you have added a layer of what looks to be waterproof fiber glass ciment board when you did add a pvc liner on top? Was it because your drain was 1/2’’ too high and you needed to fille the space?

[@StarrTile]

Yes to last part..drain was too high

[@Wheels858]

Is it okay to install the shower drain lower than the surface of the concrete on a slab? I want to have a lower shower curb and therefor need the drain to be lower. I wasn’t sure if this would go against standard plumbing codes

[@tonytexmex210]

iv been in the plumbing industry for a little over 20 years. You put the concrete slope first and than your shower liner. So when the water passes thru the tile the liner slopes the water to the weep hole of the FHA drain. that is the city code approved way.I have seen it done with shower liner flat like in your video by do it all contractors and it is incorrect. And it is better to move your trap directly under shower drain and keep it 2" all the way, because if trap is clogged it would make cable easy to clean out. Cheaper than having to tunnel under the house to get to trap true story.

[@quinnishappy5309]

The properties of cement are such that water will soak through it at contact not along it. so a slope will not help you after water is below the plastic liner.

[@duramaxallison2535]

@@quinnishappy5309, watch the oatey liner installation video (it's on KZbin). Slope. Then liner. Then mud pan. Water that weeps to the liner can then flow to the drain. This is the correct way to do it

[@69badbart]

I’m curious . Shouldn’t there be pre slope under the liner ? I’ve removed a couple of these liners that were flat and there was a tremendous amount of mold growing from farthest corners from the drain .

[@StarrTile]

A pre slope does not perform as intended, but more to the point we are waterproofing the entire shower before tiles ever set so no water can get into the pan

[@bernelnery2191]

I have similar situation here. I have an old tub and concrete slab. I do have a large opening where the old 1 1/2 drain and p-trap sits. Now I have to convert this to 2 inch opening over the old P-trap .This is a great video showing the transition from tub to shower. So I'm confused, or I'm missing something here. Where is the P-trap for this shower? I thought I was going to see a 1 1/2 P-trap to 2 inch conversion

[@StarrTile]

You did see the transition from inch and a half to 2-inch as I explained in the video the P-trap is below grade probably 10 to 12in down into the dirt

[@davidburkholder7360]

Perhaps you will respond to this question: Most areas (code) mandate a 2 inch drain. The question is "how far" must that "2 inch line" need to run? Is it legal to transition to 1.5 before trap, after trap?

[@StarrTile]

The whole reason there is an inch and a half for a tub is you have a higher threshold with the edge of the tub being so high compared to a shower curb, since a shower curb is much lower the width of the drain is much wider. Legal would be the wrong term, up to code would be more like it but codes are broken all the time and things still work. Specifically on this video the P-trap is below grade and is inch and a half, then the transition is made is low as possible and things would still work.... yes in the ideal world it would be a 2-inch drain all the way to the main but that is impossible in most cases, so we still do tub to shower conversions with what we have to work with

[@davidburkholder7360]

@@StarrTile Nice and thanks for the reply. I am doing a similar situation but all is accesible as below me is storage and the trap is 1.5 but converts to 2 inch line within 5 feet. I'll proceed with just doing the drain at 2 inch to 1.5 trap and back to 2 inch line within 5. If any trouble I will simply switch the 1.5 (5 feet) to 2 inch. I expect all will be fine. Good day.

[@DCUPtoejuice]

cool. I have a six inch diameter pre-fab hole through the concrete slab in a condominium. Do I just find a drain insert that is large enough to fill and support that hole?

[@StarrTile]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKibk559oq1-qKc

[@imnotalyin7382]

Quick question. Any dangers of scum, and hair and soap building up on 2” horizontal run before Ptrap this causing odors to permeate? I’ve got exact situation going on now.

[@StarrTile]

Sure, that can happen..my experience is build up on vertical run, oddly enough

[@longnguyenenglish]

wish i knew this last year. thanks for posting

[@Meowman0707]

Just a doubt. I read that showers are supposed to use a 2" pipe while tubs commonly use a 1 1/2". Reducing it from 2" to 1 1/2" is not to code and the connection of 1 1/2" that goes to the main pipe should have been replaced with 2". I'm not a plumber but at least that was what I have read. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@StarrTile]

So the reason that bathtubs are inch and a half pipe, regardless that they hold more GPM than a shower simply is because they have a higher base typically 15 to 18 in whereas the curb of a shower only has 4-5 inches to overcome, therefore a larger pipe is used for a shower than for a tub. And anyone that thinks they can get to the main drain below-grade and dig for no apparent reason just a transition to a 2-inch pipe is fooling themselves and creating bigger problems. A shower will drain fine with 1 1/2" as far back as you're reasonably able to transition.

[@justinkendrick6779]

another good tip for someone having to get thru the slab is take a sponge with some water and squeeze it over the area to minimize the dust.

[@A619D]

If your drain is 2” shouldnt your ptrap and dirty arm be in 2” all the way to the san tee also?

[@StarrTile]

In theory yes, but not always possible, and it would be irrelevant because an inch and a half drain would drain the same way as a 2-inch drain in a shower with less GPM, the only reason we step up to two inch drain on a shower is in case there's a backup, whereas a tub you have 18 to 20 in of room to play with before a backup would occur

[@367scotty]

so advertise like everyone else.I get the patreon part. but dont address the haters made me want to switch to the other 10 k videos. on the other hand nice video.

[@LandbergTileTV]

Excellent video and great intro song!

[@simonabusuioc1009]

We recently had to do this and our plumber was replacing the drain and tried to move it.. towards the center. He did not recommend doing two 90 degree elbows. Apparently it's not a good idea and not up to code in some areas. Also it makes it harder for the snake to go through.. Not sure if that is the general wisdom... There was not much room for us to work with and we left it where it was. We have a corner shower and I wished the drain was centered but we'll do without. That is already above the trap and some codes do not allow 2 traps or an S trap

[@Ed-sh8jt]

Did you ever get clogged up issues connecting to old 1 1/2 trap instead of 2inch trap?

[@CROFTwins]

Thanks dude. I appreciate it

[@zehuazhou3390]

I have a concrete slab foundation and the shower drain seems to smell. I wonder how I can confirm if there is a P trap down there? For your case, how do you confirm there is a P trap?

[@StarrTile]

Every bathtub has a P-trap below grade, sometimes that can be 12 in or 18 inches or so, if it was always a shower and it has a smell then more than likely the last person did not put in a P-trap, the only sure way to tell is to run a telescopic camera down the drain

[@zehuazhou3390]

@@StarrTilethank you. The prior owner of the house did some heavy remodeling himself, and I suspected that it was a toilet drain before. And toilet drains do not have P traps. I guess I have to run a telescope to know. Is there any other device you could recommend that would insert into the drain to block the smell but allows water to flow when we turn on the shower?

[@KID4271]

I had a plumber install a shower flange and was about to backfill the hole and noticed the flange is a bit cockeyed. How much of an issue will this be? It's not level and sloped about 1/4". Should I redo the job or try to force the flange level with the concrete back fill?

[@joethebuilder2480]

Hopefully you can move the pipe enough to level it. Keep it wedged in place and fill around it with concrete to keep it set.

[@mitchellrose3620]

Helpful. Thank you. The river stone may have just been chosen because it in style. The curb may have been high to accommodate the error of the flange height. I just saw a video of a guy squirting foam along the edge before pouring self leveling concrete. God damnit if I already poured mine up against the framing ( over tar paper and lathe screen ). If I pray to Jesus, will the floor not buckle due to expansion?

[@bps739]

Some crook( may be one of my previous owner or plumber) installed a basement bathroom with toilet, standing shower. Shower did not have a U or P trap. We get sewer gas, horrible smell every day and I had to cap off the drain. Repairing would cost 3-5k. Suggestion to home buyers, if a home has basement bathroom, MAKE SURE it has a p or U trap. Or else it will be a night mare.

[@danielcowles6806]

The right way is to install a p trap but obviously that is out of your budget. They make a product that is called Sure Seal trap seal. Also JR Smith makes a trap seal also. Try SupplyHouse.com for them. They are used when a trap primer can not be installed for a floor drain. Try it out and see if it can keep up with a shower floor drain. For $50 what do you have to lose

[@twolfe4295]

I have done this to similar shower installs by using a channel type drain and sloping the tile to the drain.

[@garywebb9818]

Question: From the information in the video it appears that replacing a tub with a shower only and reducing the shower drain from 2 inch to 11/2 inch is ok?

[@StarrTile]

Yes

[@MarkAli27]

Great video Sir, exactly the explanation I’m looking for. Thanks again.

[@matthughes88]

Any advice on how to do a shower pan liner for a curbless shower on a concrete slab. I have a shower with a huge curb that sits a few inches below the rest of the floor. It's framed all around and tiled to act as a tub. I'm going to convert to a curbless shower since it sits a few inches below the slab. There's no curb to wrap and attach a liner too. I'm guessing just lots of Redgard and fiberglass mesh?

[@Ashroyer86]

If I'm rebuilding a shower in a basement that already has a concrete pan and no wood around the sides can I get away with just coating the pan with epoxy or something without doing all this work?

[@dalemanly4913]

Great ingenuity and good job with video. But people watching should be made aware of the importance of 2" p-trap and proper venting ! It's a serious health risk to breath the toxic fumes of sewage systems. And it smells like sh**!(literally). Drains and vents is one the most important parts for safe living conditions.

[@sikassscivic]

Excellent video! I’m currently doing a remodel, our shower is going where our bathtub used to be. The slab is flat and level with the rest of the foundation , not recessed like the original shower. Currently debating removing that part of the slab or building up for the shower pan. How thick is a typical shower pan, meaning how far would we have to step Up? Really would like to recess it though.

[@garrettfinn8683]

Except that’s illegal , you can’t build off the old 1” 1/2 riser for a tub waste/overflow from the 2” trap . You need to chip up the slab and run a new trap for the shower drain .

[@RollinHomies]

I'm sure you are referencing a "code" from a plumbing book. But just for education purposes, why would building off of a peetrap be bad? Is it just because peetraps are supposed to be located within so many feet of the drain it supports? "s" drains aren't allowed in new building but people still install them when performing some drain repairs rather than peetrap with stutor valve.

[@vegaszzihw]

Was just going to ask if this was to code? I have a tub that I want to convert to a shower. I figured it had to be 2" all the way down , not just 2" at the drain ?

[@StarrTile]

@Vegaszzihw I've done perhaps 150 conservatively speaking..tub to shower conversation jobs in 21 years... almost without exception I tie in to the 1 1/2" riser where I transition to 2" pipe for shower and never had an issue, never a callback or complaint. By code you can come out 30" and although in an ideal world your trap is directly below the drain, it's more important there's a trap, be it 1 1/2" or 2", either would tie in a Y very shortly after the trap to main drain. Plus the gpm on draining a tub with 30 gallons of water vs a slower dedicated shower is huge. The main issue is a future clog in the trap, and the plumber trying to snake it with the additional 2 90os. A clean out near the trap woukd be ideal.

[@vegaszzihw]

@@StarrTile thanks for the reply !

[@Ed-sh8jt]

Hello i was watching some of your video but i did not see the new p-trap. Are you saying you don't install new 2inch p-trap you just connect to old tub 1 1/2 line with old ptrap?

[@jimchatwin8339]

in vid, I notice cement backerboards on walls are missing within a foot of the pan. Can I assume you were going to add them? If so how close to the mortar bed do you terminate them? I recall one prior video of yours where you indicate that backerboards that recess into the mortar bed itself lead to wicking upwards should water enter the mortarbed.

[@NEWYORKBOZ]

Question for ya sir... and I have no problem donating to your channel. I am on a slab and I am extending out the shower floor about 8 inches or so and want to leave the drain where it is and just slope mortar to it. Question is since the old drain was going to a plastic/fiberglass pan the pipe is much higher than the slab. So how low should I cut the pipe down to? Enough so the flange sets level with the slab or slightly higher? There is probably a 1’x1’ box out that I will need to fill with concrete but I want to make sure the pipe and flange is good before I fill it in. And the pipe is definitely not level coming out of grade and I don’t have much wiggle room for make it sit level. Im trying to manipulate the flange and make it cockeyed level lol. Any advice is appreciated.

[@StarrTile]

So what you would need to do is go to my main Channel and on the far right almost to the top where there is a tab that says about, click on that and scroll down toward the bottom you'll see help support my channel and click on that it will take you to the donation section of PayPal...$50 for 30 minute call so include your number. Text or email me pictures of what you have going on, that will move the discussion a little faster

[@marcodeluca4068]

I am planning to install a shower stall to half bath but I need to break concrete slab to put a drain I need to go approx just enough to put a P trap then through concrete block once through I will be in the basement where I can tie into main drain etc. Question: is it easier to use a grinder or jack hammer to break up concrete because I have a grinder. Also i am using a base for the shower instead of building up a base if that makes a difference?

[@StarrTile]

Jackhammer all day....a grinder won't do much. But a big concrete cutter will, cut down into 2x2 foot sections and jackhammering will be easier. I'm not into prefab pans but that's just me

[@marcodeluca4068]

@@StarrTile I see and if you would use a pan which one would recommend which doesn't require any build up support?

[@georgechambers8301]

Great video first slab video that includes the p trap thanks

[@matthewsimonds5272]

What did you use to backfill the concrete you jack hammered out? Just regular bag mix concrete or something special like high strength?

[@StarrTile]

Just a few bags of concrete

[@davidmccracken3554]

As the homeowner I just finished cutting a five foot trough through my slab. Not fun. It's certainly worth a boat load of money to do that kind of work.

[@sebastiang7183]

What is the point of laying the cement board on the concrete? Just to get a nice even surface? Is this required?

[@StarrTile]

Pick up the discrepancy

[@davidallan4497]

First off I want to say thanks for all the videos I been learning a lot from them. Question I just leveled my concrete floor to the bottom flange to the drain and the flange sticks above the floor by 1/16th of a inch give or take. What’s your best solution since I notice now it should be flush

[@StarrTile]

You are waterproofing the surface of your shower pan then what you did does not matter because water will never get to that point anyway

[@davidallan4497]

Thanks I am going to waterproof the pan but just in case if water did get thru I was worried since it wasn’t flush the water might not find the drain

[@aureacandelario3868]

@@davidallan4497 Hi, I was reading this and I ran into the same problem. The Flange sticks out about the same as yours. I am worried sick about the same thing. I am stressing because this is my first time doing this. Can you explain to me a little more details about that waterproofing and the flange? i am trying to understand?

[@davidc6666]

why don't you have a p trap in the down section for reduction of waste line gas? I normally put one in so there is no gas and if anything like an earring etc. ,can be retrieved possibly.

[@StarrTile]

If you listen to the video I explain that P traps on bathtubs are set below grade, usually about 10 to 14 inches down, so yes there already is one, you would not put a secondary one in

[@JTTTTx]

The IPC may allow for 1 1/2” shower drain, but elsewhere in the code it will say that no drainage pipe shall be reduced in the direction of flow ( paraphrase).

[@michaelmaners9140]

where is your p-trap? you have to have one in order to prevent sewer gases from escapeing.

[@StarrTile]

If you would actually watch the whole video the explanation is there, on a slab P traps are always below grade level, in other words anywhere from 8 to 12 in in the dirt below the concrete

[@beemerkon]

Do u see how your pebble tile touches¿ how are you gonna get grout and silicone in between the stones to make it water tight that’s a junk pebble tile fyi

[@howardshurst1302]

With the slab being flat under the pan liner with no slope .How will the water on the liner get to the drain?

[@StarrTile]

Because the surface is waterproofed...so nothing gets in pan to begin with

[@designlife4living547]

My plumber says NOT to pour cement around the PVC; just connect everything and add light gravel. Is he wrong?

[@StarrTile]

For a shower yes he is wrong, if it was a bathtub drain then yes he is correct

[@jameslefebvre5046]

Hey man - I'm redoing my shower with a self-made mortar pan. My drain base actually sits about a 1/2" below my concrete subfloor. I planned on using it as is without digging out and extending the drain pipe. Is that going to cause problems down the road?

[@StarrTile]

As long as the tile are sloped & the pan is waterproofed you should be ok

[@mikethemoneymaker]

About how much $$$ money $$$$ would the job cost to have a plumber jack Hammer up the concrete and install the new pipe which is set back to give tile clearance then add new concrete? I ask because our area just suffered a massive flooding with many properties deemed unfit for human use or Occupancy but there are also many like mine which can be fixed...the problem is Plumbers and all Tradesman are in such high demand right now that they have a full schedule for six months at least. I would not mind trying to place a pan but the piping and concrete work is probably something I would rather have a plumber complete. Thanks for any reply.

[@StarrTile]

Plumbers are inherently very expensive, I know many plumbers who would not touch an opening less than $250, an opening could be replacing a toilet, replacing a P-trap in a sink that's leaking, Etc, it's a bit ridiculous and the big commercial guys would probably double that.... and that is generally for easy access, then add in the jackhammering and back filling with concrete, you might be looking at around 1500 to 2000 for a plumber to do this work. It's ironic you should mention the storm damage because I'm on my way to Panama City Beach in about 8 or 9 days to do a couple of showers down there, they weren't damaged they're just renovations.

[@mikethemoneymaker]

Thanks for the fast response, I am up north near Lavalle WI....our river was more than 27 Ft. above flood stage with fast moving mud water up to the eaves (including other debris) Hint Hint....it was ugly. But this is my family home and will rebuild with time while moving forward. Insurance companies will no longer provide bound coverage for many properties here....but we got lucky somehow compared to others with severe structural damage so will stick around.

[@michaelhaiden6718]

I'm a gc I find your channel interesting question did you install blocking between the studs behind the pan liner off camera ?

[@StarrTile]

yup

[@spitsoutfeathers9990]

still extremely good informative vid

[@Physicsnerd1]

Nice video. Maybe I missed it, but where is the trap located on that drain?

[@StarrTile]

Usually about 8 to 12 inches under the slab in the dirt

[@Physicsnerd1]

@@StarrTile, got it, thanks.

[@diytwoincollege7079]

I have an interesting twist on this one. I have a 1.5” copper pipe sticking out of the concrete floor in the basement. I haven’t been able to find any drains to connect to it. Everything is pvc!

[@alliewhite5579]

Just out of curiosity, how much did something like this cost? We have a curb and I wanna get rid of it because I need to be able to roll in and I wanna move the drain to the middle. Previous owner had work done and whoever they hired to do the shower remodel did a terrible job because all the water flows to the wall and not the drain which is located where the one you fixed in this video. Sigh...

[@blackpillrising3164]

Looks good. That concrete was pretty easy to bust up that looked like a real weak mix.

[@kimr5841]

Those are are working mans hands.

[@concerned_2023]

Um, is not the whole purpose of a 2" to prevent water from backing up. Transitioning from a 1 1/2 to a 2" does not solve that problem?

[@StarrTile]

No the whole purpose of transitioning to a 2-inch drain is to allow more water volume in a quicker amount of time as opposed to a bathtub which has longer to drain.... that is not part and parcel to a shower back up because that would mean you have a clog. And of course a tub puts out more gpm than a shower head ever could.

[@concerned_2023]

@@StarrTile Thanks for the response. That is what I meant. A tub has the capacity to hold water, hence the 1 1/2 drain. A shower base cannot hold that amount of water so needs a 2'' into a 3''. I am in the process of converting a tub to a shower on a slab. I am thinking I need to remove the 1 1/2'' pipe and replace it with a 2''. I am not sure how far I need to go to do that.

[@StarrTile]

The correct answer according to most plumbers... You dig down all the way to the Y transition of the main drain, no way am I doing that and I have no compunction about the excess 1 1/2" running 10" to 12" to that point

[@concerned_2023]

@@StarrTile Thanks again. Yeah. I'll just convert it to accept the 2'' drain.

[@emersonwombat6278]

How do you screw the board on the bottom without screwing into pan liner and the bottom is not held in by the mud bed?