The Spruce / Kevin Norris
There are several options when choosing a shower drain.
Any of these material types can be used with steel, fiberglass, or acrylic shower bases.
Trimming the drain pipe can be done with a hacksaw or plastic tubing cutter.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If using a hacksaw, see to it to make the cut so it is flat and level.
Put the rubber sealing washer and cardboard friction washer over the drain assembly tailpiece from under the shower base.
Thread the mounting nut onto the tailpiece and tighten it down with channel-lock pliers.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Wipe away any excess caulk that has oozed out around the drain assembly.
Thread the compression nut into the drain opening and tighten it.
As you tighten, the rubber gasket is compressed against the drainpipe, creating a watertight seal.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Remove the fitting tool and snap the grate over the drain opening.
Allow the silicone to cure for a full 24 hours before using the shower.
If you don’t have this access, a compression-style drain assembly is a better choice.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Solvent-glued shower drain assemblies are usually PVC plastic, though older ones may use ABS plastic.
Begin by disassembling all parts of the drain assembly.
Carefully set aside the cardboard friction washer and the rubber sealing washer.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Immediately set the upper body of the drain assembly into the drain opening and press down.
Then, thread the lower body of the drain assembly onto the upper body.
Wipe away any excess silicone.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Attach the metal grate to the top of the drain assembly.
Spread a thin layer of solvent glue on the same surfaces.
Let the solvent glue and silicone caulk cure for a full 24 hours before using the shower.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The waterproof membrane liner for the shower is sandwiched between two lower flanges, which are bolted together.
The liner will be tightly sandwiched between the flanges.
This piece usually has male threads that screw down into the female threads of the middle flange.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
It may be as much as 1 1/2 inches if you are laying tile on a solid mortar bed.
Now you are ready for the rest of theceramic tile installation.
Usually, this involves a second layer of mortar, then ceramic tile applied over the mortar.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The tile should be grouted, sealed, and cured before you use the shower.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
