Basement Shower Drain Cemented Over

[ss3251]

Hi, I bought a house with a roughed in basement bathroom. The builder left the toilet drain sticking out above the concrete floor, but put a layer of cement over the shower/tub drain. I was wondering if I should just start breaking the concreted in the general area I believe the drain to be or how I should go about exposing the shower/tub drain. Also, once I have exposed the drain, will I need to put new concrete around the drain once it is ready for the shower, or do I just place the shower base over the area? Any suggestions? I live in West Michigan, near Grand Rapids.
Thanks!!

[ss3251]

Ok, I broke the concrete and found the drain pipe right where I expected it. Now my questions are if I need to fill in concrete around the pipe after extending it up or if I can just leave the hole (seeing that it is of minimal size)? Also, I am wondering if I need lay my plywood subfloor under the shower base or cut the plywood around the base? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

[ss3251]

One more question. How can I find out if there is a trap installed in the drain line? Do I need to dig all the gravel out from around the pipe or is there an easier way?
THanks again!!!

[Vector]

One more question. How can I find out if there is a trap installed in the drain line? Do I need to dig all the gravel out from around the pipe or is there an easier way?
THanks again!!!

Pour some water in (a gallon would be overkill, but probably at least a quart or so).

If there is a trap, there should be water retained in it that you can see looking down the pipe with a flashlight.

Odds are, it has a trap already. But I suppose anything is possible.

[Vector]

Ok, I broke the concrete and found the drain pipe right where I expected it. Now my questions are if I need to fill in concrete around the pipe after extending it up or if I can just leave the hole (seeing that it is of minimal size)? Also, I am wondering if I need lay my plywood subfloor under the shower base or cut the plywood around the base? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

You will want to get the actual drain you will be using for the installation, and get it to the right height, etc, and then fit it in, glue it in, and then fill in the concrete, as you want it to fit right.

[ss3251]

Thanks Vector!!
The one issue I do have is that the drain pipe, at least the end part that I uncovered, is coming from the side. It is horizontal, not vertical, so I can't see down it to see if water stayed in it. Also, would you place the shower base directly on the concrete, or put it on top of the plywood subfloor I am installing in the rest of the room?
Thanks again for the help!!

[giddonah]

are you installing plywood driectly on the cement?

If the drain is horizontal, knowing if it as a trap is a bit harder, but you might be able to see something with a flashlight and a mirror.

You'll have to dig enough around it to put in an elbow, I assume this is pvc, so actually installing it isn't a problem. I'm not sure if a long sweep would be the thing in this situation, maybe Vector can comment.

If this is a shower stall kit, then it doesn't really matter if you install it on plywood or concrete, but they usually are installed on the finished floor. Installing it on the concrete and building the floor around it would put it a little lower thant the floor, making the step into the shower a little less like a hurdle, but you might not have enough room to put the drain together depending on how deep the drain is and where the top of the elbow will be.

[ss3251]

Yes, I was going to install 1/4" plywood on the cement floor, to keep the floor softer and warmer in the winter, underneath a piece of vinyl flooring. I don't have any moisture issues, so I figured this would be the thing to do. Is there something else I should do? The entry will be from a carpeted hallway that is going to have to carpet and pad installed directly on the cement, so I don't want to step up too high in the doorway.

[Vector]

maybe Vector can comment.

This is the point where I would call a real plumber :)

Horizontal? Capped end? Then I'd bet that there is no trap and you'll have to dig out and install one along with the drain tailpiece for the shower.

But again, I'd probably have a real plumber do it, plumbing is among my least favorite things. Well, DWV stuff, supply and trim-out are fine.

[giddonah]

As long as you're positive you won't be having water issues. Even if you don't have infiltration issues, if the inside air is warm enough, you could have condensation on the concrete, and plywood driectly on the cement won't allow air to dry it. To be extra careful of this, you can install the plywood on top of some 1x2's if you can live with the extra 3/4". If not, then hope that it's not going to be wet. If it gets humid down there, get a dehumidifier. If it's dry, and it stays dry, you should be ok.

I'm more of an electrician than a plumber, and I'm with vector. Call in someone to look at it and at the very least give you an estimate and his opinion. It sounds like something that needs to be seen.

[giddonah]

I asked my plumber about it. He says it's most likely a storm drain. He finds it odd that it'd be so low, and would expect the house trap to be 2ft or so above the floor. Definitely have someone look at it.